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Veterinary research

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs)

There has been little research conducted in veterinary homeopathy. Up to March 2011, there were only 38 RCTs published in the entire peer-reviewed journal literature. The details below are based on our systematic review of the world’s RCT literature in veterinary homeopathy [Mathie RT, Hacke  D, Clausen J. (2012). Randomised controlled trials of veterinary homeopathy: characterising the peer-reviewed research literature for systematic review. Homeopathy; 101: 196–203].

By the end of 2013, the total number of peer-reviewed RCTs had risen to 44 (19 placebo controlled; 25 controlled by another comparator). We highlight here the 12 (63%) of the 19 placebo-controlled trials in which the original authors interpreted their main findings as positive:

Positive placebo-controlled RCTs of veterinary homeopathy:

Species Clinical condition

Evidence
(Reference number)
Cattle Mastitis

1, 2, 3
Diarrhoea

4
Infertility

5
Dogs Osteoarthritis

6
Goats Immune response

7
Pigs Diarrhoea

8
Growth rate

9
Induction of farrowing

10
Infectious diseases

11
Reproductive performance

12

(Note that no account is taken here of trial quality, which is the subject of our continuing programme of systematic reviews. Further information is available on the website of the Faculty of Homeopathy.)

Clinical outcome studies

Conditions and species with research that did not include a control group (all positive findings):

Mastitis in cattle 13
Kennel cough in dogs 14
Epilepsy in dogs 15
Cushing’s disease in dogs and horses 16
Stillbirth in pigs 17

BHA research

In collaboration with Bristol University Veterinary School, the British Homeopathic Association has published pilot findings of a research initiative studying atopic dermatitis in dogs.18

References

  1. Andersson R, Morcillo LL, Sommer H (1997). Untersuchungen über den Einsatz von homöopathischen Arzneimitteln bei der Behandlung und Prophylaxe subklinischer Mastitiden von Milchkühen [Treatment and prophylaxis of subclinical mastitis with homeopathic drugs]. Tierärztliche Umschau, 52: 407–412.
  2. Searcy R, Reyes O, Guajardo G (1995). Control of subclinical bovine mastitis. Utilization of a homoeopathic combination. British Homoeopathic Journal, 84: 67–70.
  3. Werner C, Sobiraj A, Sundrum A (2010). Efficacy of homeopathic and antibiotic treatment strategies in cases of mild and moderate bovine clinical mastitis. Journal of Dairy Research, 77: 460-467.
  4. Kayne S, Rafferty A (1994). The use of Arsenicum album 30c to complement conventional treatment of neonatal diarrhoea (‘scours’) in calves. British Homoeopathic Journal, 83: 202–204.
  5. Williamson AV, Mackie WL, Crawford WJ, Rennie B (1995). A trial of Sepia 200c. Prevention of anoestrus problems in dairy cows. British Homeopathic Journal, 84: 14–20.
  6. Hielm-Björkman A, Tulamo RM, Salonen H, Raekallio M (2009). Evaluating complementary therapies for canine osteoarthritis–Part II: a homeopathic combination preparation (Zeel). Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM, 6: 465-471.
  7. Danieli PP, Lacetera N, Bernabucci U, Ronchi B (2009). Conventional and homeopathic treatments in late pregnant goats: effects on metabolic status and immune response. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 8 (Suppl 2): 613-615.
  8. Camerlink I, Ellinger L, Bakker EJ, Lantinga EA (2010). Homeopathy as replacement to antibiotics in the case of Escherichia coli diarrhoea in neonatal piglets. Homeopathy, 99: 57–62.
  9. Guajardo-Bernal G, Searcy-Bernal R, Soto-Avila J (1996). Growth-promoting effect of Sulphur 201c in pigs. British Homeopathic Journal, 85: 15–16.
  10. Wolter H (1966). Arzneiwirkungsprüfung an Caulophyllum D 30: Ein doppelter Blindversuch [Drug efficacy testing of Caulophyllum D 30. A double-blind trial]. Der Praktische Tierarzt, 47: 431-432, 496-501.
  11.  Albrecht H, Schütte A (1999). Homeopathy versus antibiotics in metaphylaxis of infectious diseases: a clinical study in pig fattening and its significance to consumers. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 5: 64–68.
  12. Soto FRM, Vuaden ER, Paulo Coelho C, Bonamin LV, Azevedo SS, Benites NR, Visintin JA, Barros FRO, Goissis MD, Ávila Assumpção MEO, Marques MG (2010). Reproductive performance of sows inseminated with diluted semen treated with homeopathic medicine. International Journal of High Dilution Research, 9: 51-57.
  13. Varshney JP, Naresh R. Evaluation of a homeopathic complex in the clinical management of udder diseases of riverine buffaloes. Homeopathy 2004; 93: 17–20.
  14. Day CEI. Isopathic prevention of kennel cough – is vaccination justified? J Int Assoc Vet Hom 1987; 2: 45–51.
  15. Varshney JP. Clinical management of idiopathic epilepsy in dogs with homeopathic Belladonna 200C: a case series. Homeopathy 2007; 96: 46–48.
  16. Elliott M. Cushing’s Disease: a new approach to therapy in equine and canine patients. Br Homeopathic J 2001; 90: 33–36.
  17. Day CEI. Control of stillbirths in pigs using homoeopathy. Br Homeopathic J 1984; 73: 142–143.
  18. Hill PB, Hoare J, Lau-Gillard P, Rybnicek J, Mathie RT. Pilot study of the effect of individualised homeopathy on the pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis in dogs. Veterinary Record 2009; 164 (issue 12); 365-370.