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Author Archives: skeptvet
“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
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
New Study Shows Belief in Medical Conspiracy Theories Associated with Use of Alternative Medicine
I was going to write a detailed post about a recent paper published in the journal JAM Internal Medicine, but since Dr. Novella at Science-Based Medicine has already covered it quite well, I just wanted to share a few tidbits. … Continue reading
Posted in General
4 Comments
Clever New Study Illustrates the Importance of Placebo Controls In Veterinary Clinical Studies
I recently ran across a fantastic web site, Testing Treatments, which explains clearly and simply how we use science to test our medical treatments. For anyone not already very familiar with this process, this site will explain why a lot … Continue reading
Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine
1 Comment
RenAvast™ for Kidney Disease: Sloppy Science and Snake Oil Marketing
A reader recently asked me to investigate yet another supplement product, this one marketed for treatment of kidney disease in dogs and cats. While there are thousands of such products, and a thorough investigation of each isn’t possible, there were … Continue reading
Posted in Herbs and Supplements
59 Comments
LEGS Glucosamine Study Shows Little Evidence of Real Benefit
I have written extensively about glucosamine because it is a ubiquitous arthritis therapy that nearly everyone seems to believe in and use, yet the evidence for it is poor. Only two published clinical studies are available for dogs, one showing … Continue reading
Posted in Herbs and Supplements
15 Comments
Falconer Strikes Back: A Veterinary Homeopath Refutes the Skeptics and Reveals the Emperor’s Nakedness
It can be very instructive when proponents of alternative medicine respond to comments or criticism from skeptics. Sometimes, they respond with reasoned, even evidence-based defense of a specific practice. This is a good sign and can lead to productive discussion. … Continue reading
Posted in General
8 Comments
Holistic Veterinary Medicine: A Variety of Faith Healing
Early on in my effort to understand and evaluate alternative veterinary therapies, I had the naïve notion that learning about their mechanisms of action and the research evidence behind them would enable me to tell which were safe and effective … Continue reading
Posted in General
14 Comments