Author Archives: skeptvet

The Veterinary Evidence-Based Medicine Landscape

This is a presentation I gave in London in 2012 at a conference sponsored by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. The Sceptical Vet: Evidence or Eminence? This is the slide deck: EBVM Landscape & Perspective And this is a … Continue reading

Posted in Presentations, Lectures, Publications & Interviews | 1 Comment

The Three Most Dangerous Words in Medicine

A brief look at why individual uncontrolled observations are often unreliable. This was my opening statement in a debate at the 2012 Annual Convention of the AVMA on the subject of “Which is Better: Clinical Trials or Clinical Intuition?”

Posted in Presentations, Lectures, Publications & Interviews | 1 Comment

Can Complementary and Alternative Medicine be Evidence-Based?

This is a lecture I gave at the 2012 Annual Convention of the American Veterinary Medical Association.    

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How to Evaluate Unconventional Therapies: Part III

This is the third section of a four-hour series of lectures I gave at the Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine. The Frank W. Jordan Seminar, 2012 The Science Behind Alternative Medicine in Animal Health

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How to Evaluate Unconventional Therapies: Part II

This is the second section of a four-hour series of lectures I gave at the Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine. The Frank W. Jordan Seminar, 2012 The Science Behind Alternative Medicine in Animal Health  

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How to Evaluate Unconventional Therapies: Part I

This is the first section of a four-hour series of lectures I gave at the Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine. The Frank W. Jordan Seminar, 2012 The Science Behind Alternative Medicine in Animal Health    

Posted in Presentations, Lectures, Publications & Interviews | 2 Comments

Use of Leeches in Veterinary Medicine

I recently received an email promoting one of the strangest therapies I’ve looked into while writing this blog—leeches. 10 FACTS HOW LEECHES HELP DOGS! 1.         Leeches a new wave in alternative animal medicine? No way! Over 3000 years ago leeches … Continue reading

Posted in General | 5 Comments

More Philosophical Nonsense from Homeopaths

While some of the disagreements between skeptics and proponents of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are disagreements about details, interpretation of data or the finer points of methodology, it is often overlooked that fundamental, irreconcilable philosophical differences also exist. Some … Continue reading

Posted in Homeopathy | 2 Comments

There is no “Natural” or “Holistic” Heartworm Prevention or Treatment Proven to be Safe and Effective

Much of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is offered either as an addition to conventional, science-based treatment or in situations in which conventional therapies are unavailable or ineffective. This doesn’t excuse offering treatments that haven’t been properly tested, and it … Continue reading

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 86 Comments

National Veterinary Cancer Registry (NVCR) Launched!

I’ve been a bit remiss lately in posting, due to some exams and deadlines that have kept me unusually busy, but I wanted to briefly promote a new tool in the effort to develop novel, evidence-based therapies for cancer. The … Continue reading

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 11 Comments