Treatment modalities for which there is scientific evidence, or at least plausibility, belong to veterinary science. Supplementary, complementary and alternative medicine could be better abbreviated with the acronym SCAM, because of the absence of plausibility or scientific evidence. Application of SCAM in veterinary practice violates the code of conduct for the veterinarian and the guidelines from the Federation of Veterinarians in Europe.

Although some argue that any treatment performed on animals should be performed by veterinarians and veterinarians who apply alternative methods should be trained in these methods, standards of care have no meaning if the most important prerequisite, evidence for effectiveness, is lacking. These standards would lend unjustified support to unproven claims and raise false expectations. When the beacons for the veterinary profession such as professional organizations, veterinary faculties, and veterinary journals are failing with regard to showing the correct way, veterinary practitioners will be lured into the maelstrom of quackery.

References

1.  Editorial. The end of homeopathy. Lancet 2005; 366: 690.

2.  FVE's Strategy 2006-2010. Improving the health and welfare of animals and people. Brussels, FVE, 2005. www.fve.org

3.  Habacher G, Pittler MH, Ernst E. Effectiveness of Acupuncture in Veterinary Medicine: Systematic Review. J Vet Intern Med 2006; 20: 480-488.

4.  Minutes of the General Assembly Meeting of the FVE, Brussels, November 2005.

5.  Ramey DW, Rollin BE. Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine considered, Iowa State Press, 2004

6.  Shang A, Kuwiler-Müntener K, Nartey L, Jüni P, Dörig S, Sterne JAC, Pewsner D. Egger M. Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? Comparative study of placebo-controlled trials of homoeopathy and allopathy. Lancet 2005; 366: 726-732.