AVMA takes action against Homeopathy???

[Dantes]

However, that does not mean that non-FDA approved therapies are any less effective, but it is our responsibility to do the research and make sure we know what we are using, including the risks and benefits of any therapy we consider.

From everything I have read, homeopathic remedies have to go through FDA testing as well. I'm not a pharmacist or doctor or anything so I don't know every detail (time for me to do some more research), but the FDA will not allow a homeopathic or alternative therapy that is harmful.

On the other hand, it's easy enough to pull up a list of FDA-approved "scientific" therapies that are/were quite harmful.

 

[Dantes]

It may be hard to understand that pharmacists do not consider medications as first choice of treatment.

I believe that pharmacists and doctors who think this way do exist. I don't think there are a lot of them, and I don't think they're the majority. I have friends who are pharmacists and most got into the business because it's an easy way to make lots of money. As for doctors, when was the last time you went and didn't have a sample of something-or-other pushed on you? I don't remember. Similar with vets these days, although they are less likely to use pharmacology and more likely to do it through kibble that is actually detrimental to my pet's health.

I wish I could be more positive, but experience has taught me otherwise.

Thanks for a nice civil debate. I really do appreciate seeing other points of view.

I do appreciate this too. I think I learn more when the "opposing" side can approach a subject civilly and somewhat logically. Not that we're necessarily on opposing sides, which is kinda the whole point of why this move by the AVMA makes me incensed. We all want what's best for our fur babies, but they don't seem to recognize that fact at all.

 

[Medesha]

The fact that the author of that paper didn't want to put their name on it says all that needs to be said about the validity of that thing; if I can't cite it in a school paper, why should it be made policy of a major organization?

 

[John Popp]

I have been very fortunate with my healthcare over the last 20 years, unfortunately the care for our cats hasn't been as good. I have suffered with migraines since I was a child and was pumped with every kind of medication imaginable, both daily and at onset. In my 30s my migraine issues became so bad I was laid up in bed every weekend and at least once a month driving the porcelain bus as a result. I finally had my case escalated to the head of internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation who specialized in headaches, and the hospital itself focuses on patient wellness. Within a few months I was nearly migraine free and without medication. Still no idea what the trigger is and the Doctor was honest enough to say that he never finds it in 90% of his patients.

I've also been diagnosed with hypertension and type 2 diabetes, both are managed without medication and under the care of my physician at CCF. I take a multi-Vitamin, some fish oil and Vitamin D, the rest is managed through diet and exercise. So there definitely are some good doctors out there, just need to seek out the right ones.

As for our cats, we've lost 2 over the last 5 years, and each time we were sent off with a prescription and told to check back in a few days if they weren't doing any better. Neither episode worked out very well, and the second time we switched vets. Too little too late although our cats are in much better care today. More thorough examinations, more discussion about changes in habits/diet and annual blood work. The downside is it takes as long as it takes often with some longer waiting room times. However I'll take that any day of the week as opposed to a timely appointment, a prescription and being sent on my way.

 

[Dantes]

More thorough examinations, more discussion about changes in habits/diet and annual blood work. The downside is it takes as long as it takes often with some longer waiting room times. However I'll take that any day of the week as opposed to a timely appointment, a prescription and being sent on my way.

Of the vets that saw Dante, aside from collecting samples, the first one took about 5 minutes with me. The 2nd and 3rd took about 10-15 minutes with me, mostly just listening to why I didn't want to Prozac him. The holistic vet had the lead vet tech spent about 20+ minutes with me, then afterward spent close to an hour with me herself. She then emailed me twice from her own email account (and the wording sounded like her, in case of doubt that she sent the emails), one email of which was about as lengthy as the original article above.

Of course she was more expensive, but well worth it, especially since Dante's issues are now under control (except when I went away for 3 weeks which stressed him out of course, but since I've been back he's back to normal).

 

[John Popp]

Sounds like we have the same vet!

 

[SV Dad]

From everything I have read, homeopathic remedies have to go through FDA testing as well........., but the FDA will not allow a homeopathic or alternative therapy that is harmful.

On the other hand, it's easy enough to pull up a list of FDA-approved "scientific" therapies that are/were quite harmful.

No, they do not have the same standards, and that is the problem.
Drugs have to prove safety and efficacy. Fail safety, no approval. Pass safety, fail efficacy, no approval. This process takes YEARS!
Homeopathics, well here is a link from the FDA http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/CompliancePolicyGuidanceManual/ucm074360.htm
Nowhere is there any indication of standardized testing for safety or efficacy, nor approval. (That little noticed "proving" asterisk, is nothing like a review for a drug.) Nothing like an IND (Investigational New Drug) application nor NDA (New Drug Application). Its kind of like a self regulated industry with labeling requirements. Think about that....... Here comes that money and greed thing. As a foot note,I don't think the products are unsafe because of exponential dilutions.

As for FDA approved drugs and procedures. Post marketing reports and studies occasionally show unforeseen or underestimated risks. And when action is taken the product can be voluntarily removed from the market (here come those multi billion dollar class action lawsuits Patti mentioned) or have an emergency revocation of the NDA thus removing the product from the market.

Now to cut physicians some slack. I am curious what percentage of patients actually follow life style modifications and alternatives to medication therapy. I don't know the actual number, but I can tell you nursing homes are filled with people who did not listen earlier in life. A LOT of people. As a fall back position, I am of the opinion that physicians look at the benefit of drug therapy versus the risks of the therapy, in conjunction with the noted efforts of alternative treatments, to the desired outcome for the health condition. And I will tell you there a lot of medications relatively safe to go forward as a viable treatment option. As a practical note, would you return to a physician who does not provide relief? They too, have to earn a living just like anybody else, and keeping a client happy and healthy is good business. I cut them a lot of slack, because they are actually doomed to fail 100% of the time. I have yet to see them achieve immortality for somebody.

Side note. There was a mention about antidepressant drugs. I will tell you I have seen people get their lives back with successful antidepressant drug therapy and psychiatric care and counseling. I have had people quite reluctant to fill their prescriptions, fearing the warnings and side effects. Many have come back to thank me for the time and effort to explain the medication, the risks, the benefits, and the side effects. And they have their lives back.
I think SV's are an effective antidepressant therapy!

 

[SV Dad]

I've also been diagnosed with hypertension and type 2 diabetes, both are managed without medication and under the care of my physician at CCF. I take a multi-Vitamin, some fish oil and Vitamin D, the rest is managed through diet and exercise. So there definitely are some good doctors out there, just need to seek out the right ones.
.

BINGO! You figured it out!

 

[John Popp]

BINGO! You figured it out!

I hope so, LOL! When my body just couldn't take playing basketball 10-12 hours a week in my mid thirties, my brain just didn't flip the switch as to how many calories I needed to digest. Under a Doctor's care and some effort I got it pretty much figured out and always at arm's length from pharmaceuticals.

BTW, the homeopathic partial remedy to the common cold being chicken soup really doesn't have a lot of science behind it, but not many doctors fail to mention it as a remedy nor try to legislate resolutions against it.

Always follow the money first and the rest generally falls into place.

 

[John Popp]

No, they do not have the same standards, and that is the problem.
Drugs have to prove safety and efficacy. Fail safety, no approval. Pass safety, fail efficacy, no approval. This process takes YEARS!
Homeopathics, well here is a link from the FDA http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/CompliancePolicyGuidanceManual/ucm074360.htm
Nowhere is there any indication of standardized testing for safety or efficacy, nor approval. (That little noticed "proving" asterisk, is nothing like a review for a drug.) Nothing like an IND (Investigational New Drug) application nor NDA (New Drug Application). Its kind of like a self regulated industry with labeling requirements. Think about that....... Here comes that money and greed thing. As a foot note,I don't think the products are unsafe because of exponential dilutions.

I totally agree that this is the biggest issue, while at the same time I am more apt to believe a medical professional as opposed to the back of the magazine cure for asthma. Just a shot in the dark here, but my guess is that if you were to have a vet that recommended/prescribed a combination of pharmaceuticals and homeopathic remedies you would have unearthed a gem. Someone squarely locked on one side of the fence or the other and you have either discovered a whacko or a luddite.