KO-LD said...
It seems the Vets are way ahead of the MD's on the recognition and treatment of LD. Why is that?
This is because of many factors, I believe. Animals are seen as property, not individuals, therefore few if any malpractice suits. There aren't any insurance claims adjusters telling vets what they can and can't do in the treatment of animals (although this may change as pet health insurance becomes more popular). Animals are thought to not be affected by placebo effect, meaning when they act sick, they really are sick, and when treatments are given, the true outcome of the treatment is readily able to be assessed, without having to consider placebo effect. Also, the safety standards may be more relaxed when it comes to treatments for animals vs. people - for example, the Lyme vaccine for humans was withdrawn from the market, but the one for animals is still available. And most vets have to be a little more skilled in "reading" body language because animals can't talk, so they may be more attuned to observing the subtle signs of disease, making clinical diagnosis something they are better at than human doctors.
Just my $.02...
-Razzle
Chronic Lyme Disease, Gluten & Sulfite Sensitivity, Many Food/Inhalant/Medication/Chemical Allergies & Intolerances, Asthma, Gut issues (dysmotility, non-specific inflammation), UCTD ("Secondary Lupus-Like Syndrome"), Osteoporosis, Pancytopenia, chronic malabsorption/malnutrition, etc.; G-Tube; Currently TPN-dependent.
Meds: Zofran, Pulmicort, Heparin (to flush PICC line), Claritin, Colloidal Silver (used topically), IV Milk Thistle, probiotics.