Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Evaluating new treatments for pets - what to know
By Ramey, D W·Published in The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice·2001·Ramey Equine, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Look before you leap.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This study emphasizes the importance of veterinarians carefully evaluating new treatments before using them on animals. It suggests that until there is solid scientific proof supporting these therapies, vets should be cautious about recommending or using them. The authors point out that sometimes, what seems like a successful treatment might actually be influenced by other factors that have nothing to do with the treatment itself. By sticking to strict standards of evidence, veterinarians can avoid repeating past mistakes and ensure better care for animals.
Abstract
Learning to critically evaluate therapeutic claims is vital to the success of the practicing veterinarian and the veterinary profession as a whole. Until such time as good scientific data in support of therapies are obtained, veterinarians should be careful in their advocacy and employment of new and unproved practices. They should also be aware of the many reasons why therapeutic "success" may be the result of a variety of factors unrelated to the treatment modality itself. Only by relying on rigorous standards of evidence can equine veterinarians prevent a return to the sincere but misguided ways of yesteryear.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15658170/