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Veterinary homeopathy: a defence
The International Association for Veterinary Homeopathy (IAVH) is disappointed with how our colleagues try to influence the position of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in relation to homeopathy.1, 2 The many errors and omissions in this paper suggests to the authors that it was not reviewed by anyone qualified in veterinary homeopathy. Remarkably, the authors’ critical approach is mainly based on theoretical arguments on why homeopathy cannot possibly work. We recognise this approach but believe it to be based on the a priori perceived implausibility of any conceivable mechanism of action, also called plausi...
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: De Beukelaer, E., Renoux, H., Nicolai, T., Tournier, A. Tags: Letters and notices Source Type: research

The authors of 'Comparison of veterinary drugs and veterinary homeopathy: part 1 and 2, respond
We welcome the opportunity to emphasise our concerns regarding what we view as an unethical practice by responding to the points raised in the above letter. As explained in our review, we believe that homeopathy requires the existence of a ‘healing power’ with multiple supernatural properties. According to scientific understanding, such a thing is extremely implausible, as homeopaths – including De Beukelaer and others – acknowledge. To counter this problem, the term ‘plausibility bias’ has been used in an attempt to make credulity appear a positive thing.1 We argue that plausibility bia...
Source: Veterinary Record - October 26, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Whitehead, M., Chambers, D., Lees, P., Pelligand, L., Toutain, P.-L., Whiting, M. Tags: Letters and notices Source Type: research

Double-blinded randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial of individualised homeopathic treatment of hyperthyroid cats
Feline hyperthyroidism is a common endocrine disorder in older cats for which homeopathic treatment has been advocated. A double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomised trial was performed to look for evidence of efficacy for the use of individualised homeopathy in the treatment of this disease. Using a case definition of a concentration of the thyroid hormone T4 >66 nmol/l, cats were randomised into two treatment arms. Either a placebo or a homeopathic treatment was given to each cat blindly. After 21 days, the T4 levels, weight (Wt) and heart rate (HR) were compared with pretreatment values. There were no sta...
Source: Veterinary Record - April 13, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Bodey, A. L., Almond, C. J., Holmes, M. A. Tags: Research Source Type: research

Efficacy of homeopathy in livestock according to peer-reviewed publications from 1981 to 2014
Homeopathy is widely used in livestock, especially in order to reduce the use of antibiotics, although it is often seen as controversial. A comprehensive literature review has been conducted to assess the efficacy of homeopathy in cattle, pigs and poultry. Only peer-reviewed publications dealing with homeopathic remedies, which could possibly replace or prevent the use of antibiotics in the case of infective diseases or growth promotion in livestock were included. Search results revealed a total number of 52 trials performed within 48 publications fulfilling the predefined criteria. Twenty-eight trials were in favour of ho...
Source: Veterinary Record - December 14, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Doehring, C., Sundrum, A. Tags: Open access Research Source Type: research

Homeopathy and cancer
THE Science section of The Daily Telegraph of June 24 carried an article (Knapton 2016) covering the current petition calling on the RCVS to ban veterinary surgeons from practising homeopathy on animals (Chambers 2016). In that article, a British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons (BAHVS) spokesperson is quoted as stating: ‘The RCVS has made it clear that homeopathic treatment is an acceptable type of therapy when practiced by trained vets. You only have to look on our website and you will see examples of where dogs have been cured of cancer through homeopathy.’ This, in the science section of a res...
Source: Veterinary Record - July 14, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Whitehead, M., Chambers, D., Taylor, N., Jessop, M., Gough, A., Atkinson, M., Hyde, P., McKenzie, B., Guthrie, A. Tags: Letter Source Type: research

Homeopathy petition attracts 2500 signatures
A petition calling on the RCVS to prevent homeopathic treatments being prescribed to animals has attracted more than 2500 signatures. Posted seven months ago on the change.org online petition site by Danny Chambers, an equine vet in Tavistock, the petition takes the form of an open letter to the RCVS raising concern that allowing vets to prescribe homeopathic treatments is an animal welfare issue and fails to meet the standard required for scientific veterinary practice: ‘The biggest danger of homeopathy is not that the remedies are ineffective, but that some homeopaths are of the opinion that their therapies can sub...
Source: Veterinary Record - June 22, 2016 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: News section Source Type: research