Not classical homeopathy

Dear Sir:

One or 2 quick comments for the researchers who studied the use of a commercial homeopathic remedy for the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) (Can Vet J 2002;43:601–603). On the surface and to the uninformed, it looks once again as if homeopathic treatment is a dismal failure. However, to someone who practises homeopathy, what is quite apparent after reading just the abstract is that the authors give no indication that they understand the basic principles behind homeopathy. The combination cocktail remedy chosen would be akin to using a combination of acetylsalicylic acid, enrofloxacin, and 3 or 4 other unrelated drugs in a study for the treatment of, say, idiopathic vestibular disease. How can one purport to know which, if any, of the drugs had any effect in positive outcomes or, perhaps, if the combination was a cause of some of the failures that are bound to occur?

What was practised here was not classical homeopathy, but rather an attempt to use a “homeopathic” remedy in an allopathic way. What was studied was not the effectiveness of a homeopathic remedy at all, because it wasn't homeopathic to each individual case.

First, in considering a case for homeopathic treatment, each case is carefully studied to discern what is unique about the way the patient is reacting to its “disease.” Therefore, all dogs with CAD would not receive the same remedy. An allopathic diagnosis and prescription would be based on the clinical signs common to all cases of CAD, like scratching and licking, for example. The homeopathic prescription would be based on the patient's unique presentation of the totality of its disease signs. Second, the potencies of the remedies in the mixture used were exceedingly low and would not be expected to have any deep or long-lasting effect. Third, this was an over-the-counter product, not one that would be carefully selected by a practising homeopath.

We hope that this clarifies for your readers the reasons for the failure of this study to show treatment success with homeopathics. It might be an idea for clinical investigators to speak with a classical homeopath when designing any future studies.

Moira Drosdovech, DVM, #6–1551 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia V1Y 9M9

Sandra Neumann, DVM, Arlington Animal Hospital, 3010 B Arlington Avenue, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7J 2J9

David Evans, DVM, Natural Care Clinic for Pets, RR#3, Chester Basin, Nova Scotia

Stephen Blake, DVM, 12436 Grainwood Way, San Diego, California 92131, USA

Lynn S. Peck, DVM, MS, MAE 306, Box 116400, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-6400, USA

Douglas R. Yearout, DVM, 9004 Vernon Road, Everett, Washington 98205, USA

Bob Ulbrich, VMD, Holistic Pet Vet Clinic, 11505-D SW Pacific Highway, Tigard, Oregon 97223, USA

Janice Facinelli, DVM, Holistic Care for Animals, 4355 Gray Street, Denver, Colorado 80212, USA

Rosario Delgado, DVM, 24 Mechanic Street, Upton, Massachussetts 01568, USA

Lisa Hoberg, DVM, 3067 NE Oregon Street, Portland, Oregon 97232, USA

Joyce Harman, DVM, MRCVS, Harmany Equine Clinic Ltd., PO Box 488, Washington, Virginia 22747, USA

Marilyn Sthamann, DVM, Lakewood Animal Hospital, 1151 Lakewood Court North, Regina, Saskatchewan S4X 3S3

Martha Lindsay, DVM, MS, 21 Chandler Road, Andover, Massachussetts 01810, USA

Helen Kwong, DVM, Merecroft Veterinary Clinic, Unit E1-B, 465 Merecroft Road, Campbell River, British Columbia V9W 6K6

Anne Lampru, DVM, CVA, Animal Alternatives Holistic Health Care Clinic, 14923 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33613, USA

Jean Lamb, DVM, PO Box 772, Pine Plains, New York 12567, USA

Kimberly Stagmeier, DVM, 1506 Shadow Ridge Circle, Woodstock, Georgia 30189, USA

Jane Laura Doyle, DVM, 4684 Valley Road, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia 25411, USA

Jill Elliot, DVM, 333 East 66th Street, #10N, New York, New York 10021, USA

Leslie Siemon, DVM, 1030 E. Ortega Street, Santa Barbara, California 93103, USA