Editing Homeopathy (section)

==Veterinary use==
[[File:Homeopathic cures for small animals.jpg|thumb|Homeopathic cures for small animals on the [[Isle of Man]]]]
Using homeopathy as a treatment for animals is termed "veterinary homeopathy" and dates back to the inception of homeopathy; Hahnemann himself wrote and spoke of the use of homeopathy in animals other than humans.<ref name="Saxton2007">{{cite journal|last1=Saxton|first1=J|year=2007|title=The diversity of veterinary homeopathy|journal=Homeopathy|volume=96|issue=1|page=3|doi=10.1016/j.homp.2006.11.010|pmid=17227741|s2cid=3715861}}</ref> The use of homeopathy in the [[organic farming]] industry is heavily promoted.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Doehring|first1=C.|last2=Sundrum|first2=A.|date=2016-12-17|title=Efficacy of homeopathy in livestock according to peer-reviewed publications from 1981 to 2014|journal=The Veterinary Record|volume=179|issue=24|page=628|doi=10.1136/vr.103779|issn=0042-4900|pmc=5256414|pmid=27956476}}</ref>  Given that homeopathy's effects in humans are due to the placebo effect and the counseling aspects of the consultation, such treatments are even less effective in animals.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Lees|first1=P.|last2=Pelligand|first2=L.|last3=Whiting|first3=M.|last4=Chambers|first4=D.|last5=Toutain|first5=P-L.|last6=Whitehead|first6=M.L.|date=2017-08-19|title=Comparison of veterinary drugs and veterinary homeopathy: part 2|journal=[[The Veterinary Record]]|volume=181|issue=8|pages=198–207|doi=10.1136/vr.104279|issn=0042-4900|pmc=5738588|pmid=28821700|quote=In human medicine, there may be a place for the counselling/psychotherapeutic aspects of homeopathic consults and the placebo effects generated by homeopathic products in patients who believe in such treatments, but in veterinary medicine these factors are unlikely to benefit patients, and the use of homeopathic products in veterinary medicine is contrary to best evidence, irrational, and inconsistent with current scientific and medical knowledge}}</ref> Studies have also found that giving animals placebos can play active roles in influencing pet owners to believe in the effectiveness of the treatment when none exists.<ref name="Hektoen" /> This means that animals given homeopathic remedies will continue to suffer, resulting in [[animal welfare]] concerns.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Lees|first1=P.|last2=Pelligand|first2=L.|last3=Whiting|first3=M.|last4=Chambers|first4=D.|last5=Toutain|first5=P-L.|last6=Whitehead|first6=M. L.|date=2017-08-12|title=Comparison of veterinary drugs and veterinary homeopathy: part 1|journal=The Veterinary Record|volume=181|issue=7|pages=170–176|doi=10.1136/vr.104278|issn=0042-4900|pmc=5738587|pmid=28801498}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Whitehead|first1=M L|last2=Lees|first2=P|last3=Toutain|first3=P L|date=2018|title=Veterinary homeopathy regulation in the UK – a cause for concern.|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329152074|journal=Regulatory Rapporteur|volume=15|pages=21–25}}</ref>

Little existing research on the subject is of a high enough scientific standard to provide reliable data on efficacy.<ref name="Hektoen">{{cite journal|last1=Hektoen|first1=L|year=2005|title=Review of the current involvement of homeopathy in veterinary practice and research|journal=[[Veterinary Record]]|volume=157|issue=8|pages=224–29|doi=10.1136/vr.157.8.224|pmid=16113167|s2cid=12525634}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Mathie|first1=RT|last2=Clausen|first2=J|date=October 18, 2014|title=Veterinary homeopathy: systematic review of medical conditions studied by randomised placebo-controlled trials|journal=The Veterinary Record|volume=175|issue=15|pages=373–81|doi=10.1136/vr.101767|pmid=25324413|s2cid=22894207}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Mathie|first1=RT|last2=Clausen|first2=J|date=September 15, 2015|title=Veterinary homeopathy: systematic review of medical conditions studied by randomised trials controlled by other than placebo.|journal=[[BMC Veterinary Research]]|volume=11|page=236|doi=10.1186/s12917-015-0542-2|pmc=4570221|pmid=26371366 |doi-access=free }}</ref> A 2016 review of peer-reviewed articles from 1981 to 2014 by scientists from the [[University of Kassel]], Germany, concluded that there is not enough evidence to support homeopathy as an effective treatment of infectious diseases in livestock.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Doehring|first1=C.|last2=Sundrum|first2=A.|date=December 12, 2016|title=Efficacy of homeopathy in livestock according to peer-reviewed publications from 1981 to 2014|journal=Veterinary Record|language=en|volume=179|issue=24|pages=vetrec–2016–103779|doi=10.1136/vr.103779|issn=2042-7670|pmc=5256414|pmid=27956476}}</ref> The UK's [[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs]] (Defra) has adopted a robust position against use of "alternative" pet preparations including homeopathy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/alternative-pet-remedies-government-clampdown |title=Alternative pet remedies: Government clampdown}}</ref> The British Veterinary Association's position statement on alternative medicines says that it "cannot endorse" homeopathy,<ref name="BVA">{{cite web|title=Veterinary medicines|url=http://www.bva.co.uk/News-campaigns-and-policy/Policy/Medicines/Veterinary-medicines/|access-date=January 5, 2015|publisher=British Veterinary Association}}</ref> and the Australian Veterinary Association includes it on its list of "ineffective therapies".<ref name="AVA">{{cite web|title=Ineffective therapies|url=http://www.ava.com.au/12057|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207080041/http://www.ava.com.au/12057|archive-date=February 7, 2015|access-date=January 5, 2015|publisher=Australian veterinary association}}</ref>