Why evidence-based medicine still matters in veterinary care

Evidence-based medicine isn’t a new product launch or policy change. It’s a framework for making clinical decisions, and a December 3, 2025 post from SkeptVet revisits why that framework still matters in veterinary care. In the piece, veterinarian Brennen McKenzie argues that evidence-based medicine means combining the best available research with clinical expertise and the needs of the individual patient and client, rather than relying mainly on anecdote, habit, authority, or belief. That definition aligns closely with how the Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Association and RCVS Knowledge describe evidence-based veterinary medicine in practice. (skeptvet.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the article is a reminder that misinformation often fills the gap when evidence is weak, hard to access, or poorly communicated. Evidence-based veterinary medicine is designed to help clinicians appraise research quality, weigh uncertainty, and explain recommendations clearly to pet parents. That’s increasingly relevant as social media accelerates the spread of false or oversimplified pet health claims, and as professional bodies and veterinary education frameworks continue to emphasize evidence-based decision-making. (veterinaryevidence.org)

What to watch: Expect this conversation to keep surfacing in debates over clinical guidelines, alternative therapies, pet health misinformation, and how practices communicate uncertainty to pet parents. (veterinaryevidence.org)