Dear Sir,
It is sad to read the report of the study by Scott et al, purporting to test the effect of homeopathic remedies (Can Vet J 2002;43:601–603). First, are any of the investigators practising veterinary homeopaths certified with the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy? Second, if these veterinarians had had a real understanding of homeopathic therapy, they would not have used an over-the-counter homeopathic combination product to carry out a scientific test of homeopathy. Homeopathic remedies are used singly and are chosen with care and study, not to treat a given “disease” but rather to address the clinical signs of illness specifically present in the individual animal; that is, one atopic dog is not necessarily treated with the same remedy as another.
This study was truly a poor test of homeopathy and does not help veterinarians to understand in any way the benefit or effectiveness of this mode of therapy. I am an allopathic veterinarian of almost 30 years of practice who discovered the intriguing field of homeopathic therapy 3 years ago by taking Dr. Richard Pitcairn's courses in veterinary homeopathy. I have treated both chronic and acute cases with homeopathy in my practice.
Unless one honestly studies classical homeopathy, it is impossible to criticize, critique, or scientifically test this discipline. As more veterinarians look at alternative therapies, I feel that veterinary journals should endeavor to publish articles that are truly peer reviewed.
Footnotes
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