WHO ARE WE?
We are a 21,000 strong group of animal owners, farmers, vets and CAM practitioners who are CAMpaigning to save
Complementary & Alternative (CAM) Veterinary Medicine
We formed because the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council issued a statement in 2017 banning vets from using alternative medicine as a first line treatment for our animals. We have been corresponding with the RCVS ever since in order to find a mutually acceptable solution, but to no avail. In November 2018 we delivered to them a detailed and well researched audit of the flawed and inaccurate evidence they used to underpin their statement and create a de-facto ban on alternative medicines and therapies.
We campaign to protect the rights of all consumers and professionals, and welcome anyone who wishes to join us.
We are a 21,000 strong group of animal owners, farmers, vets and CAM practitioners who are CAMpaigning to save
Complementary & Alternative (CAM) Veterinary Medicine
We formed because the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council issued a statement in 2017 banning vets from using alternative medicine as a first line treatment for our animals. We have been corresponding with the RCVS ever since in order to find a mutually acceptable solution, but to no avail. In November 2018 we delivered to them a detailed and well researched audit of the flawed and inaccurate evidence they used to underpin their statement and create a de-facto ban on alternative medicines and therapies.
We campaign to protect the rights of all consumers and professionals, and welcome anyone who wishes to join us.
Will you make a small donation today to help our campaign?
LATEST NEWS
FEBRUARY 2019
Despite their repeated denial to the contrary, we can confirm that complementary modalities are allowed, but the RCVS has BANNED ALTERNATIVE MODALITIES. Animals must receive what the RCVS call “conventional treatment” before or alongside alternative therapies, which makes them complementary therapies.
Despite their repeated denial to the contrary, we can confirm that complementary modalities are allowed, but the RCVS has BANNED ALTERNATIVE MODALITIES. Animals must receive what the RCVS call “conventional treatment” before or alongside alternative therapies, which makes them complementary therapies.
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The implications of this are potentially devastating:
• Animals may be denied gentler alternatives which have no toxic or adverse effects; • Vets may lack accurate knowledge of CAM and so be unsure about referring on to CAM practitioners; • New vets and nurses may be discouraged from studying or understanding the benefits of CAM; and • The skill pool and knowledge of holistic animal health, including raw feeding, will diminish to the detriment of animal welfare. |
"CAM4animals continues to campaign for all vets to have clinical freedom to treat animals with alternative medicine or to refer on to suitably qualified CAM vets and practitioners. This must form a key part of integrated veterinary care within the 2006 Animal Welfare Act. We will not lose our freedom to choose alternative medicine and modalities."
IMMEDIATE CALL TO ACTION
You too can be active by asking the RCVS why they have banned alternative therapies.
The following message can be used in an e-mail, Facebook message or on Twitter.
An additional sentence stating that you support CAM4animals would also really help our campaign.
The following message can be used in an e-mail, Facebook message or on Twitter.
An additional sentence stating that you support CAM4animals would also really help our campaign.
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Write to:
Ms A Boag at RCVS, Belgravia House, 62-64 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AF |
WE NEED YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT, SO HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP....
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Join our Social CAMunity
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SUMMARY of CAM4animals’ AUDIT
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Following a review of the evidence RCVS used to make their Statement:
CAM4animals believes that the RCVS stepped outside its remit and Royal Charter - it exists to regulate the profession and NOT to stop its members from making qualified, clinical decisions. There was a lack of consultation with stakeholders in rewriting the Statement including the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists, British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons, McTimoney Chiropractic Association and the British Association of Veterinary Herbalists. Click tabs below to read more.... |
The Statement:
• Lacks any proper and unbiased scientific consideration of CAM;
• Significantly relies on opinion, social media commentary and articles rather than individual research papers;
• Is underpinned by three demonstrably flawed reports on homeopathy*;
• Places emphasis on homeopathy alone, ignoring other CAM treatments;
• Lacks a definition for CAM;
• Ignores the animal welfare implications of a ban on alternative therapies; and
• Was influenced by certain Council members who are supported by and associated with a network of organisations committed to discrediting all CAM practitioners.
* Reference: HRI
• Lacks any proper and unbiased scientific consideration of CAM;
• Significantly relies on opinion, social media commentary and articles rather than individual research papers;
• Is underpinned by three demonstrably flawed reports on homeopathy*;
• Places emphasis on homeopathy alone, ignoring other CAM treatments;
• Lacks a definition for CAM;
• Ignores the animal welfare implications of a ban on alternative therapies; and
• Was influenced by certain Council members who are supported by and associated with a network of organisations committed to discrediting all CAM practitioners.
* Reference: HRI
RCVS Statement means:
• The clinical freedom of all vets is compromised;
• Our freedom of choice as animal owners and guardians is at risk;
• Homeopathy has been singled out, but all alternative medicines are affected;
• Farmers will be forced to use antibiotics before proven alternatives like herbs and homeopathy - this is a major concern for organic and antibiotic-free farmers and may reduce our access to organic food and limit the progress of sustainable farming;
• There is a serious threat to the fight against antibiotic resistance with recommendations for further research into herbs* and homeopathy**; and
• CAM specialist vets may have their livelihoods compromised by the effects of the Statement.
* Reference IAVH ** Reference NMIH
• The clinical freedom of all vets is compromised;
• Our freedom of choice as animal owners and guardians is at risk;
• Homeopathy has been singled out, but all alternative medicines are affected;
• Farmers will be forced to use antibiotics before proven alternatives like herbs and homeopathy - this is a major concern for organic and antibiotic-free farmers and may reduce our access to organic food and limit the progress of sustainable farming;
• There is a serious threat to the fight against antibiotic resistance with recommendations for further research into herbs* and homeopathy**; and
• CAM specialist vets may have their livelihoods compromised by the effects of the Statement.
* Reference IAVH ** Reference NMIH
CAM4animals calls for:
• Respectful and balanced collaboration between conventional, CAM-trained and holistic vets and practitioners who can offer ALTERNATIVE modalities;
• Vets to respect the choice of animal owners and guardians to use alternative therapies as the primary treatment approach where appropriate; and
• Open and honest debate to promote education and awareness of CAM’s role in animal health and to encourage new vets and nurses to consider CAM as a valued addition to their training.
• Respectful and balanced collaboration between conventional, CAM-trained and holistic vets and practitioners who can offer ALTERNATIVE modalities;
• Vets to respect the choice of animal owners and guardians to use alternative therapies as the primary treatment approach where appropriate; and
• Open and honest debate to promote education and awareness of CAM’s role in animal health and to encourage new vets and nurses to consider CAM as a valued addition to their training.
Why join us?CAM cf promo from Del Norte Videographics on Vimeo. Making our views known
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From sceptic to CAM vet
Avoiding amputation by using CAM therapies
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What is CAM?
The term 'Complementary and Alternative Medicine' includes, but is not limited, to: - Hydrotherapy - Physiotherapy - Acupuncture - Chiropractic - Herbal Remedies - Homeopathy - Massage Therapies, e.g. Bowen, Galen Myotherapy (Raw feeding & supplements are also at risk) |
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