Author Archives: skeptvet

Evidence Update-Data for Resveratrol and Antioxidants Not Looking Good

At the very beginning of this blog in 2009, I wrote about a compound called resveratrol. I concluded at that time that it was “promising but unproven.” I subsequently reported on a scandal in which a key researcher studying this … Continue reading

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 1 Comment

Videos

This link leads to a YouTube channel with videos related to evidence-based veterinary medicine and scientific evaluation of alternative medicine.  

Posted in Presentations, Lectures, Publications & Interviews | Leave a comment

Finally, A Journalist Takes a Skeptical View of Claims for Veterinary Acupuncture

I am occasionally interviewed by journalists writing articles about alternative medicine for pets. Many of these articles deal focus on acupuncture, and they tend to follow a pretty consistent pattern: 1. Story about a dog or cat with some pain … Continue reading

Posted in Acupuncture | 13 Comments

WVC 2014: Presentations About Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine

These are three presentations I gave to veterinarians at the 2014 Western Veterinary Conference. I previously posted the slide decks and a bibliography. These videos are narrated versions of the slide decks. What is Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine & Why Do … Continue reading

Posted in Presentations, Lectures, Publications & Interviews | Leave a comment

Pox Parties for Dogs: Brought to You by Veterinary Homeopaths

When I first heard of Pox Parties, I found it amazing, and frightening, that people actually fear vaccines so much that they will deliberately expose their children to infectious disease to avoid them. Such parents take their children to play … Continue reading

Posted in Homeopathy, Vaccines | 37 Comments

Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Review Concludes Homeopathy Doesn’t Work

When I reviewed the case against homeopathy as part of the debate over the AVMA resolution to acknowledge it as a placebo therapy, there were many previous reviews to refer to. In addition to the numerous systematic reviews of the … Continue reading

Posted in Homeopathy | 7 Comments

“Electroacupuncture” as a Treatment for Nausea & Vomiting Caused by Morphine in Dogs

A study was recently published investigating the possible effects of “electroacupuncture” on nausea and vomiting induced by morphine in dogs. This study illustrates some of the challenges of evaluating acupuncture in general, and it shows how the ambiguity in study … Continue reading

Posted in Acupuncture | 1 Comment

The 2012 AHVMA Annual Conference: An illustration of Conflicts between Science-Based Medicine and Holistic Veterinary Medicine

In response to my criticism of individuals offering or promoting alternative medicine for pets, it has been pointed out that the community of such vets is diverse, and that one cannot fairly assume that all share the beliefs or practices … Continue reading

Posted in General | 20 Comments

Because Evidence Matters: EBVMA Symposium 2014

The EBVMA 2014 Symposium “Because Evidence Matters” will be held online Friday November 14,2014 Here is all the information you need to submit a proposal for a presentation (accepted until May 30, 2014), to attend, or to sponsor this symposium: … Continue reading

Posted in General | 1 Comment

Tumexal: Wonder Drug or Snake Oil?

Introduction Cancer is a common disease in our pets just as it is in humans, though not necessarily for the reasons often claimed by proponents of alternative medicine. While there are certainly environmental triggers for many cancers, smoking being a … Continue reading

Posted in Miscellaneous CAVM | 44 Comments