Author Archives: skeptvet

Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM)-A Familiar Tale of Quackery

The hallmark of classic medical quackery is the lone genius proclaiming the discovery of a radical new approach to healing that is simple, perfectly effective, and perfectly safe. This magical new therapy, described in impressive scientific terminology invented from scratch … Continue reading

Posted in Chiropractic, General, Law, Regulation, and Politics | 18 Comments

What’s in Chinese Medicine? New DNA Study Finds Some Unpleasant Answers.

The lack of effective regulation covering herbal remedies and dietary supplements is well-known. The General Accounting Office has warned Congress about the widespread deceptive and illegal marketing of such remedies. And there are numerous studies which illustrate the potential dangers … Continue reading

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 4 Comments

Choosing Wisely: Physicians Take a Stand Against unecessary Tests and Treatments

The subject of unnecessary diagnostic testing is a contentious one that I’ve addressed here before (Overdiagnosis, Screening Tests). In human medicine, the government provides evidence-based guidelines for preventative healthcare interventions, including screening tests, through the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force … Continue reading

Posted in General | 13 Comments

New Review Finds Little Evidence that Nutraceuticals Help Animals with Arthritis

I have written extensively about various supplements and herbal treatments for arthritis. For the most part the evidence seems weak for all of these products, though there are a couple of suggestive studies that might lead to demonstrably effective treatments … Continue reading

Posted in Herbs and Supplements, Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 6 Comments

Crananidin: Cranberry Extract for Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs and Cats?

The question of whether cranberries, in some form, have value in treating or preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) is a pretty old one. Mark Crislip at Science-Based Medicine has written a nice summary of the topic, and he has found … Continue reading

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 8 Comments

Protandim: An Update from Science-Based Medicine

Last year I wrote a review of a dubious herbal combination product called Protandim. At that time, my bottom line conclusion was: Bottom Line The underlying theory used to promote this product, that anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects are always safe … Continue reading

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 51 Comments

Raw, Cooked, and Dry Cat Diets–A New Study Examined

The debate about raw diets for pets is an ongoing “hot button” topic in veterinary circles. There is also a less heated but still vigorous debate about cat nutrition in particular and what form and composition constitutes the optimal diet … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 18 Comments

Nzymes.com: Same Snake Oil, Different Day

Knowing that I have an interest in investigating the evidence behind claims for veterinary healthcare products, clients and colleagues sometimes pass along materials concerning veterinary supplements, herbal remedies, and other similar products and ask my opinion. Since there are hundreds, … Continue reading

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 255 Comments

Buyer Beware: How to Evaluate Pet Healthcare Products

This is a great time to be a pet owner. Advances in nutrition and veterinary medicine in the last few decades have led to tremendous improvement in the length and quality of our pets’ lives. We have more and better … Continue reading

Posted in General | 5 Comments

Homemade Diets for Cats and Dogs with Kidney Disease–Most Recipes are Wrong

A new study has been published adding to the evidence, which I have discussed before(see articles listed below), that homemade diets are frequently nutritionally inappropriate and less consistent or reliable than commercial diets. Larsen, JA. Parks, EM. Heinze, CR. Fascetti, … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 31 Comments