Author Archives: skeptvet

DogtorRx from Pet Equinox–Style without substance and a model of snake oil marketing

Posted on September 25, 2011 by skeptvet

Even when I’m not working, I’m still a veterinarian and a skeptic, and I tend to notice things related to those subjects wherever I am. In this case, I was stopped at a traffic light when something caught my eye, … Continue reading →

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 12 Comments

Honey for Allergies in Dogs and Cats

Posted on September 20, 2011 by skeptvet

Among the alternative recommendations for pet allergy treatment I have seen in some of my recent reading, a popular one is raw unpasteurized local honey. Many alternative veterinary medicine sites confidently proclaim that this safe and natural product can cure … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous CAVM | 8 Comments

Integrating Myths and Nonsense with Standard Advice for Allergic Pets

Posted on September 19, 2011 by skeptvet

I hear a lot of claims from clients about the cause and treatment of their pets’ allergies that sound like myths or misunderstandings to me, and I expect that. Obviously, a huge part of my job is educating my clients. … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous CAVM | 16 Comments

Stem Cell Researchers Caution Against Using Unproven Stem Cell Therapies

Posted on September 18, 2011 by skeptvet

One of the therapies that has arisen within conventional veterinary medicine, but which shares many of the worrisome features of an alternative approach, is stem cell therapy. Though it is a plausible intervention with promising preclinical evidence to support investigating … Continue reading →

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 5 Comments

Chemotherapy Doesn’t Work? Not so Fast….

Posted on September 12, 2011 by skeptvet

I’ve written a bit about “integrative” veterinary cancer care previously and how it is often marketed with claims that are unsupported by evidence. A recent example of this is a post  on the Huffington Post blog in which a prominent … Continue reading →

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 7 Comments

Evidence-Based Guidelines For Pet Care

Posted on September 8, 2011 by skeptvet

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recently released a set of Canine and Feline Preventative Healthcare Guidelines. The primary reason for doing so seems to be evidence from several surveys that suggest the … Continue reading →

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 6 Comments

CAM Conversion–From Skeptic to Believer

Posted on September 4, 2011 by skeptvet

I frequently find that advocates of alternative medicine present themselves as converted skeptics. Of course, many came to veterinary medicine with a preconception that alternative methods were beneficial. But quite a few veterinarians or MDs who promote alternative methods tell … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 2 Comments

Celebrate (or Mourn?) National Holistic Pets Day

Posted on August 31, 2011 by skeptvet

Oops, looks like I just missed the party! Apparently, yesterday was National Holistic Pets Day. This holiday was created by Colleen Paige… I was going to give a brief description of who exactly Ms. Paige is, but I don’t think … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 9 Comments

Standard Process=Standard Nonsense

Posted on August 29, 2011 by skeptvet

Standard Process is a company that has been selling dietary supplements since 1929. It was founded by a dentist, Royal Lee, who developed a number of unconventional theories about the role of nutrition in health and disease. In essence, Dr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 142 Comments

Carl Sagan: Words of Wisdom

Posted on August 24, 2011 by skeptvet

  The cure for a fallacious argument is a better argument, not the suppression of ideas.

Posted in General | 1 Comment