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Eric Fish, DVM's avatar

As a veterinarian who regularly prescribes ivermectin (and gives it to my own pets), I have been perplexed to watch it achieve a revered, cure-all status among the MAGA and alternative medicine crowds. Two things can be true at the same time: Ivermectin is a godsend in treating serious parasitic infections in people and animals, and there is little to no evidence it is effective for other random ailments. It's not a censorship campaign by evil doctors, it's just basic science. I'm reminded of the saying: "Everything seems like a conspiracy when you don't know how anything works"

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AK's avatar

Hello, would you recommend ivermectin for a dog suffering severe arthritis and if so, how much should I administer ?

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Eric Fish, DVM's avatar

Ivermectin is not indicated for arthritis. For any applications that might be relevant (I.e. heartworm prevention or treating a more serious parasitic infection), I'd recommend you talk to your family veterinarian.

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AK's avatar

Thank you so much for responding so quickly, much appreciated.

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Valerie  Brennan's avatar

Cancer is parasitic. Everyone has parasites

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Eric Fish, DVM's avatar

You can view cancer as metaphorically parasitic, but their biology is not similar to nematodes/trematodes/protozoa, etc; cancer cells are our own body's cells, which makes them very difficult to target with drugs.

And no, actually, "everyone" does NOT have parasites, at least among those in developed nations. In the US, the estimated prevalence is between 1-5%, and that is heavily skewed towards impoverished areas with run-down infrastructure and populations who have lived outside the country (where parasites are more common)

The reason most of these anti-parasitic drugs are assoicated with veterinary medicine is we deal with animals that live outside where there are tons of ticks and mosquitos, who like to roll around in the dirt where parasite eggs lay, and that directly or indirectly eat poop (a major transmission vector of parasites)

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Cheyenne Lorin's avatar

Read it! So appreciate the article and access. I’m a PA in oncology and have had 3 patients either ask about or plan to take Ivermectin in the last month. Disinformation really can kill.

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Laura T RN BSN's avatar

I am in a few cancer groups and on a regular basis post are made Ivermectin cures cancer

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Helen Reich's avatar

Thank you for this, I’ve finally been able to read the article. The ivermectin issue has beenu so confusing, since there do exist quite mainstream-seeming doctors who think it’s great for treating Covid. I’m more inclined to believe you and Vinay, but some of the others seem quite learned and not crazy. What’s a non-scientist to do?

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