Author Archives: skeptvet

WHO- Homeopathy Not Appropriate for Serious Disease

The World Health Organization is, like most UN entities, is a highly political creature. It tries to promote health in a bewildering variety of political, economic, and physical environments, and I give it full credit for what it manages to … Continue reading

Posted in Homeopathy, Law, Regulation, and Politics | 4 Comments

CAM and the Psychology of Last Resort

I’ve often thought that the following two maxims apply to American culture generally, but especially to medicine in the US: 1. It is never appropriate to say, “There is nothing that can be done.” 2. Nothing is ever Nobody’s Fault. … Continue reading

Posted in General | 10 Comments

Evolution Diet – Selling Food with Fear and Lies

I was recently asked to comment on an advertising card for Evolution Diet. There are a number of claims made, and because they are vague and wildly inflammatory, it is difficult to address them in an evidence-based manner, but I’ll … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 57 Comments

Nutritional and Health benefits of Organically Grown Food?

I recently read a commentary  by Dominic Lawson, in the Times of London Sunday edition, entitled “Organic Food is Just a Tax on the Gullible.He was referring to  a couple of systematic reviews (health benefits and nutritional content) that suggest there … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 7 Comments

Bach Flower Essences for Animals

What is it? Dr. Edward Bach was a physician and homeopath in England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He eventually gave up his medical practice to focus full-time on developing a system of treatment based on elements … Continue reading

Posted in Miscellaneous CAVM | 8 Comments

A Few Common Pro-CAM Arguments and Some Possible Responses

In addition to substantive arguments about evidence, clinical studies, and underlying biological or physical rationale, many arguments between supporters and skeptics of veterinary CAM involve myths, stereotypes, logical fallacies, and other rhetorical devices or conceptual errors unrelated to the actual … Continue reading

Posted in General | 29 Comments

From Pet Connection-Falling for “Hope-Based” Medicine…

This is an insightful essay illustrating the ultimately faith-based nature of much CAM. Statements about safety and efficacy and the indications of a treatment are determined by tradition, appeal to authority, or instinct and then justified by anecdote without any … Continue reading

Posted in General | 12 Comments

GAO Acknowledges FDA Oversight of Dietary Supplements Inadequate

It is widely understood that the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act has created a wide open and lucrative market for herbal remedies and dietary supplements that don’t have to pass even minimal standards of evidence that they are … Continue reading

Posted in Herbs and Supplements, Law, Regulation, and Politics | Leave a comment

You Can’t Believe Everything You Read-Even in a Scientific Journal!

Many proponents of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) reject the very idea of scientific evaluation of their methods. If scientists say they can find no trace of Ch’i or vertebral subluxations or water memory, well that shows that science doesn’t … Continue reading

Posted in General, Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 5 Comments

Pet Food Nutrition Myths

I’ve previously written an analysis of one of the most popular veterinary nutrition myths, the idea that cats and dogs should eat raw food. I was recently asked by one of my colleagues to address a couple of other veterinary … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 47 Comments