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Category Archives: Science-Based Veterinary Medicine
Evidence Update: New Study Finds no Benefit from Cold Laser for Dogs Having Surgery for Disk Disease
A hot topic in veterinary medicine these days is cold laser therapy. I’ve been reviewing the theory and research evidence for this treatment regularly from my first review in 2010 to my most recent look at the evidence in 2016. … Continue reading
Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine
12 Comments
Evidence Update: Does Dry Food Increase the Risk of Diabetes in Cats?
A perennial question in veterinary nutrition is the relative pros and cons of dry commercial diets. In particular, pet owners and vets alike have a lot of questions about the nutritional value and potential risks of dry food for cats. … Continue reading
Posted in Nutrition, Science-Based Veterinary Medicine
6 Comments
Evidence Update: Neutering and Cancer Risk in Dogs
I have written extensively about the risks and benefits of neutering in dogs and cats. This is an area of active research, and new data emerge regularly to challenge existing beliefs and illustrate the amazing complexity of living organisms and … Continue reading
Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine
11 Comments
Evidence Update- Stem Cell Therapies for Companion Animals
Introduction One of the most frequent recurring topics on this blog has been stem cell therapies. Generally, I have concluded that various types of stem cell therapies are plausible and promising, but they are unfortunately being marketed with claims and … Continue reading
Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine
3 Comments
Overdiagnosis
Overdiagnosis is now recognized as a common and serious problem in human medicine that causes substantial harm in terms of unnecessary costs, wasted resources, and patient and caregiving suffering. International conferences (e.g. Preventing Overdiagnosis) and special features in major medical … Continue reading
Posted in General, Science-Based Veterinary Medicine
8 Comments
More Evidence that Laboratory Testing of Healthy Dogs and Cats Uncovers Lots of Abnormalities of Questionable Significance
A new article has just been published adding some information to a subject I’ve addressed before, the value of blood testing and other diagnostics in clinical health dogs and cats (discussed Here and Here). In the past, I have come … Continue reading
Posted in General, Science-Based Veterinary Medicine
1 Comment
EBVMA Podcast- What Is Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine?
Back in April, I was privileged to participate in the inaugural podcast of the Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine Association, a group I have worked with for many years, as a membership of the Board of Directors and former President. In this … Continue reading
Surgical Checklists Reduce Complications for Veterinary Surgery Patients
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a useful set of principles and tools that can help improve patient care. Unfortunately, there is little that is sexy and dramatic about EBM. Science in general tries to avoid the grandiose generalities that make for … Continue reading
Selected Effects of Neutering in German Shepherd Dogs
As part of my ongoing surveillance of evidence concerning the benefits and risks of neutering, I have identified a new study on the subject. Hart, B. L., Hart, L. A., Thigpen, A. P. and Willits, N. H. (2016). Neutering of … Continue reading
Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine
7 Comments
How to Prove a Therapy is Effective Even When its Not
Over the years, I have written a lot about how we come to hold and maintain false beliefs in medicine. Perhaps the lion’s share of this lies in anecdotes, which are powerfully persuasive despite all the sources of bias and … Continue reading
