Expanded view allows you to see the list of individual posts in a thread (author, picture attached) and the number of posts in the thread (in parentheses). (The asterisk in front of a post in the Expanded view indicates a that post contains a picture.) Expanded view also lets you quickly spot posts by your favorite VINners. ;-) List view shows only the thread title, and number of posts in the thread (in parentheses).

To choose your view type, you can:

1. Click MyVIN > Preferences
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Confused? A picture is worth a thousand words -- find one here

Controlling Pop-Up Ads

Are you being pestered by pop-up ads? Read this VIN Message Board Discussion and learn how to control these obnoxious ads.

The VIN Store - A Perfect Member Benefit

You are an information junkie. So are your friends and colleagues. VIN has the perfect member benefit to help. The VIN Bookstore - the best prices and free shipping on many orders. We do it all for YOU!

• Great information resources
• VIN Member Discounts
• Gift Certificates Available

Some titles may have extended delivery dates -- that's how we keep prices so low -- so ORDER EARLY!

Featured Item:
Handbook Small Animal Toxicology & Poisonings, 2nd Edition - Gfeller, Messonnier, 2004
List Price: $59.95 VIN Member Price: $53.96
Authors: Roger W. Gfeller, DVM, DACVECC, and Shawn P. Messonnier, DVM

This time-saving, pocket-size guide offers a thorough understanding of toxicology that is essential to diagnosing and treating the complex problems resulting from toxin ingestion, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in animals. The 2nd edition covers patient assessment and treatment techniques, as well as information on over 100 categories of toxic agents. Discussions of each agent include its uses, mechanism, pathophysiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, common products containing the agent, and acute and long-term treatment. A new avian section makes this edition even more comprehensive and clinically useful.

Looking for some great CE for your staff?

VSPN's CE is the perfect solution. It's convenient, inexpensive, and fits everyone's schedule. To learn more about upcoming courses read the course catalog:

• VSPN CE - for your technicians

Bordetella Infections in Dogs and Cats: Treatment and Prevention - an article by VINner Craig Datz
Bordetella bronchiseptica has developed resistance to some commonly used antimicrobials. Supportive care and rest are often the only treatments necessary.

Surgical Hemostasis
Properties of an ideal topical hemostatic agent include biocompatibility, biodegradability, minimal antigenicity, easy application, and no inhibition of wound healing.

Corneal fungal disease in small animals
Suspicion of a fungal corneal ulcer should be raised based on a history of underlying trauma, especially with plant material, geographic location, chronic use of topical antibiotics or corticosteroids, or an extremely prolonged course of disease despite appropriate treatment.

Laser applications for corneal disease
The CO2 laser can be used on corneal tissue, but must be used very cautiously so as not to ablate too deeply, creating serious scarring or perforation. The CO2 laser can be very effective in ablating limbal tumors with corneal extension. The use of the laser is less invasive, technically less difficult, and faster because of excellent hemostasis.

Rosy Boa With Possible Seasonal Anorexia
One very crude guideline is to allow up to 10% loss of body mass before becoming concerned -- as long as the animal is acting alert, etc.

Lymphosarcoma In A Renal Transplant Cat
A recent article showed that LSA was the most common malignancy in renally-transplanted cats, no differently than transplants in people. If I remember right, about 10% went on to develop a malignancy and the vast majority were LSA.

PU/PD To ARF; Estimation Of CVP
At this point, you need to assess carefully for overhydration. The best way to do this is to do central venous pressure, but you can get an idea of central venous pressure by clipping the jugular furrow and observe for jugular distention. Roughly measure how many centimeters above the right shoulder the distention is apparent, you don't want to this to be above about 8 cm.

Frontline Frequency For Flea Control? Off-Label Use Of Frontline And Other EPA Registered Pesticides Is Illegal
Off-label use of an EPA registered pesticide is illegal, unlike off-label use of an FDA registered drug like Capstar.

Virtual Coffeehouse
Tuesday, February 17, 9:30 pm ET -
Did you get gold stars for your Valentine's Day activities? Stop by and tell us what you did to make your significant other happy.
Rounds Room

How To Use VIN Course: Part 3
Wednesday, February 18, 9:30 pm ET -
Learn how to use VIN's knowledgebase. Email Nate@VIN.com for more information about this free three-part course.
Rounds Room

ACVSc Rounds
Friday, February 20, 9 pm ET -
Join Ken Wyatt, BSc, BVMS, FACVSc, for Insulinomas.
Rounds Room

Sunday Rounds
Sunday, February 22, 10 pm ET -
Join Michele Gaspar, DVM, DABVP (Feline), for White, Yellow, And Blue: Feline Emergency Cases.
Rounds Room

Recent Rounds
* Rabbit Gastrointestinal Disorders
* VIN Town Hall
* Securities Investment Strategies
* Case Study of Feline Respiratory Distress
* Atopic Dermatitis Update
* Highlights Of The Annual Dental Forum
* Chemistry Pitfalls

Abstract Of The Week:
Progesterone and estrogen receptor expression in meningiomas

Website Of The Week:
Radiographic Anatomy, and more ...

Book Review:
Veterinary Drug Handbook, Fourth Edition, Client information Edition
This resource is available in the VINstore.

eVetsites Tip of the Week:
Domain Name Registration Information

VINner Survey Results:
* Veterinary Support Staff
* Client Sympathy Response
* Grape/Raisin
* Consumer Reports
* ACE Inhibitor Use in Dogs
* Imaging & Telemedicine
* Nasal Mites
* Euthanasia Procedures
* FATE
* Veterinary Career Survey, Part 1

From the Boards:
* PK Testing Abyssinians
* Macaque Spay
* Drug Markups
* Triamcinolone Spray

Basic Oncology

• Do you know how to stage your cancer patients?
• Do you feel unprepared for the questions your clients have about surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and analgesia?
• Do you turn into a quivering, indecisive mass when trying to choose the best treatment?

VIN CE can help! Sign up for Basic Oncology.

Instuctors:
Drs. Betsy Hershey, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology); Pamela D. Jones, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology) Resident Radiation Oncology; Elaine R. Caplan, DVM, DACVS, DABVP; Philip J. Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology); Craig A Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology); Susan Wynn, DVM; Greg Ogilvie, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)

Dates:
February 23 - April 19, 2004
Interactive Sessions:
Monday; Feb 23, March 1, March 8, March 15, March 22, March 29, April 12 ; 9:30 - 11:30 PM ET

Course Description:
This will be an introduction to the basic principles of oncology including: biopsy techniques and clinical staging of cancer patients, basic principles of chemotherapy and radiation therapy including adverse effects, surgical treatment of cancer, the role of biologic and immunotherapy in cancer, palliative therapy, including pain management of the cancer patient, and an introduction to complementary cancer therapies with a focus on nutrition.

CE Hours: 14 CE Credits

Tuition:
Member/ $224, Non-Member/$319
VSPN members may register with permission (i.e., Oncology technicians)

To Register:
Visit Basic Oncology and click on the Enroll now link.

Interested in other online VIN CE?

Scheduled courses include:

• Basic Fish Medicine
• Pharmaceutical Regulatory Review
• OSHA & Practice Safety

2004 Courses with Dates TBD:

• Equine Reproduction
• Key Practice Indicators from Program to Profit
• Topics in Nephrology
• Organ System Pathophysiology Review
• Emerging and Exotic Diseases of Animals
• Ferret Medicine

Click the CE button on VIN's main nav bar to learn more about these courses -- and to sign up!