How to read a scientific paperDecember 2, 2022It is important for veterinarians to constantly strive to improve their knowledge of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, so they remain consistent with new findings. To do otherwise puts them at risk of failing to keep up with the latest clinical advancements.
SPONSORED CONTENTBringing Light Home: How Super Pulsed Laser Therapy Enhances Pet HealingOver the past two decades, laser therapy has seen tremendous growth in veterinary practices. What was once considered an alternative therapy is now an integral part of mainstream veterinary care, particularly in rehabilitation, dental, and preventative medicine. +
The value of EBVM and a move forwardOctober 20, 2022One of the key elements of evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) is the need to regularly review and update our understanding and practices as new evidence is developed.
Thinking differently about aging in dogsSeptember 19, 2022The traditional view of aging as a natural and inevitable phenomenon that we can only palliate and combat by treating individual diseases once they occur is gradually being replaced. A more useful view is aging is simply a biological process like any other, one that can be understood and manipulated to preserve health and well-being. As is so often the case in medicine, a change in perspective is necessary to facilitate new discoveries and new therapies.
It's time to put diagnostic tests to the testAugust 11, 2022All too often, companies develop and promote diagnostic tests in the veterinary field with no reasonable evidence that using them will benefit patients. Given the lack of meaningful regulation in this area, completely useless tests based on pseudoscience are freely sold to vets and pet owners. Even tests that work as claimed may become widespread well before there is evidence to believe their use will improve patient outcomes.
Urinary tract obstruction in catsAugust 3, 2022One of the most common emergency conditions managed in general veterinary practice is urinary tract obstruction (UTO) in cats. Despite this, there is controversy about many aspects of UTO management, and even widely accepted practices are often based on limited or poor-quality evidence.
Does music have a calming effect on pets?June 28, 2022While more research is needed, music is widely viewed as beneficial for dogs and cats in kennels, shelters, and veterinary settings. Indeed, use of music, particularly so-called “classical music” (generally characterized by lower tempo and volume than other genres), is believed to be calming and to reduce stress and anxiety.
Why diagnosing OA pain in cats is not easyApril 8, 2022Osteoarthritis (OA) is among the most common age-related conditions in cats.
Revisiting the world of canine raw dietsMarch 1, 2022Proponents of raw diets offer varied theoretical arguments for why they should be healthier than commercial cooked foods.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveDo you have a conflict of interest?February 10, 2022By Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD, cVMAA conflict of interest is simply one category of bias that can influence the outcome of scientific research. In ordinary use, the term “bias” has negative connotations as it mostly refers to various forms of prejudice or discrimination against groups of people. However, in the parlance of EBM, “bias” simply means any factor that systematically distorts the results of scientific research away from the truth.
Genes, environment, and DNA sequenceFebruary 8, 2022One of the most interesting and significant shifts in biomedical science has been the change in our understanding of how genes are influenced by environment, and even how such influences can be inherited without changes to the DNA sequence of our chromosomes.
