Posted on 15th Mar 2010 @ 1:01 PM

By Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM

1. That there are many ways to heal, not just conventionally, and we must look at all the options, weighing the side effects with the benefits. An example would be using an herbal combination called Skin-Eze vs. Steroids. Most of the time the steroids are used, but few pet owners are aware of all of the side effects, such as Liver disease and Diabetes.
2. Be open-minded. Just because Dr XYZ says that there is no scientific basis, this does not mean that it doesn't work. It could mean that there is no money in it for the drug company, so they won't fund the study. An example of this is with a plant growing in your garden, Dandelion. It is an effective diuretic, and it is a fabulous nutrient source - but you can bet that 99% of Veterinarians have NEVER prescribed it. It doesn't come in a pill from their pharmacy, and it has had few scientific studies.
3. Question what you are told and marketed. Yes, that wonder drug may look and sound great, but why is that pharmaceutical company spending so much money on advertising? As Veterinarians we get much of our continuing education from Industry Reps. They are in the business of selling a conventional drug/food/vaccine. Question what they are saying. An example is all of the big glossy ads selling Rimadyl. How often to you hear about all the side effects? There are many.