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Author Archives: skeptvet
Handlers Can Unintentionally Influence Detection Dog Performance
A recent study in the journal Animal Cognition involving drug and explosive detection dogs has been widely reported in the online media (e.g. Medical News Daily, Sacramento Today, etc). The study, conducted at the University of California at Davis, was … Continue reading
Posted in General
4 Comments
California Veterinary Medical Association Campaign Against Unlicensed Treatment of Animals
There must be something in the air. Lately, I’ve run across a number of stories about regulatory agencies trying to crack down on illegal or unsupported medical claims, in Switzerland and the United Kingdom. I am a bit pessimistic about … Continue reading
Posted in Law, Regulation, and Politics
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Book Review: At Home by Bill Bryson
For my infrequent book reviews I have tried to focus on books that are explicitly relevant to the issues and themes of this blog. However, I wanted to call attention to a very enjoyable book that, honestly, is only marginally … Continue reading
Posted in Book Reviews
2 Comments
Neutricks(tm): Another Nutraceutical for Canine Cognitive Dysfnction
Yet another product has entered the market aimed at treating Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS). This age-related brain disorder is analogous to dementia in elderly humans, and it involves a number of significant behavioral changes. Affected dogs may get lost … Continue reading
Posted in Herbs and Supplements
51 Comments
U.K. Veterinary Medicines Directorate Promises Crackdown on Unproven Alternative Remedies
In December John Fitzgerald, the Director of Operations for the British Veterinary Medicines Directorate, announced that the regulatory agency will begin more aggressive supervision of medical claims made for alternative medicine products. According to the announcement, Some of these … Continue reading
Posted in Law, Regulation, and Politics
9 Comments
Complementary & Alternative Medicine in Veterinary Hospice Care
There is a brief commentary (subscription required) in the current issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) on the subject of veterinary hospice care. I’ve written about this subject before, and I think it is one … Continue reading
Truth is a Popularity Contest (Again): This Time in Switzerland
In Switzerland, as in many other European countries, the government pays for extensive health insurance coverage for its citizens. Naturally, the government and the citizenry want cost-effective healthcare for their money. One important aspect of achieving this is not to … Continue reading
Posted in Law, Regulation, and Politics
6 Comments
HealthyMouth Water Additive: Does It Help Prevent Dental Disease?
I am often asked by clients or readers about specific products, and while I certainly can only investigate a small proportion of all the stuff marketed to pet owners, I try to look at as many of these things as … Continue reading
Posted in Herbs and Supplements
141 Comments
AVMA Solicits Comment on Model Veterinary Practice Act
The American Veterinary Medical Association maintains a model state veterinary medical practice act, which states often refer to when crafting their own practice acts for licensing and regulating veterinarians. Periodically, the AVMA solicits comments from its members and updates this … Continue reading
Posted in Law, Regulation, and Politics
9 Comments
Skepticism about Glucosamine for Arthritis in Dogs and Cats is Growing
Ok, maybe not. But still, any sign that folks are questioning this ubiquitous practice is a good thing. I have written a number of times about the question of whether or not oral glucosamine and chondroitin are useful for arthritis … Continue reading
Posted in Herbs and Supplements
96 Comments