We look forward to seeing you there!

Welcome to Phoenix Scientific, Inc., the newest folder participant in the Vet Industry message board!
We're excited by the opportunities to share knowledge and support that Phoenix Scientific, Inc., will bring to the VIN community. Please take a moment to welcome our newest addition to the Vet Industry message board. Remember to post your questions about the company's products. (While you're in the industry folders, check out all of the other companies that are willing and able to answer your product questions!)

A Note From Paul About Industry on VIN:

As a result of the recent rapid rise in the number of industry folders on VIN, a few have written to ask if VIN has changed its position regarding independence from industry.

Rest assured that nothing has changed. VIN remains committed to the VIN Policies on Commercialism.

We all benefit from increased communication and access between colleagues in practice, academia, and industry. Facilitating this communication is our goal. We are pleased that more of our colleagues in industry are recognizing this and joining the discussion.

Take the Practice Management Software Survey
With AAHA's permission, we adapted the survey they use to collect information from AAHA member practice owners. We seek responses from all VIN and VSPN members. If you use the software, we want your opinion.

Please take a few moments to participate in the Practice Management Software Survey,

Effect of Sample Handling on Venous PCO2, pH, Bicarbonate, and Base Excess Measured with a Point-Of-Care Analyzer
The use of 2.0 mL plastic screw top heparin anticoagulant tubes may result in fewer pre-analytical errors than 3.5 mL glass vacuum tubes.

Clinical Findings and Diagnostic Value of Posttraumatic Thoracic Radiographs in Dogs and Cats with Blunt Trauma
Abnormal auscultation results were significantly associated with radiographic signs of thoracic trauma, radiography score, and presence and degree of contusions. Seventy-two percent of animals with no other injuries showed signs of thoracic trauma on chest radiographs. No correlation was found between the radiographic findings and outcome, whereas the trauma score at presentation was significantly associated with outcome and with signs of chest trauma but not with the radiography score.

Young Dog: Muscle Weakness Progressing To Paralysis, Severe Hypokalemia; ISTAT Will Be Inaccurate When Run On EDTA Sample
The party line is that we not exceed 0.5 mEq/kg/hr to correct hypokalemia, but you'll probably have to go higher than that. When the K is less than 2.0, it's recommended to put 80 mEq/L KCL into a 1 liter bag. A human study found that infusion rates up to 0.9 mEq/kg/hr were used safely. Having said that, it is recommended that fluid infused through a peripheral vein not contain more than 60 mEq/L because of pain and sclerosis of the vein -- so you may need a central line.

Associate Salary Offer-What Do I Include with Production Pay?
Production based pay is based on the LAST 60-90 days of production. So you set her base and the bonus is calculated. I personally am not in favor of raising the base. Production earns all future raises :-)

Exceptional Client Service Skills for the Receptionist/Front Office Staff Member
(Basic Receptionist/Front Office Skills)
Back by popular demand: The Basic Receptionist/Front Office Skills course has a NEW NAME. The first person your clients see is your front desk receptionist. That impression can make or break your clientele and their feelings about your hospital regardless of what type of medicine you practice. Professionalism doesn't start in the back with the medicine; it starts with your receptionist. In light of that fact, VSPN CE announces a wonderful inclusive group of Front Office Skills courses designed to help your staff with one of the most important jobs in the clinic.

There are so few courses on front office and receptionist skills. Often, those individuals put into that position have to learn quickly how to deal with clients in various moods and emotional states. These individuals must learn the bookkeeping and scheduling and how to keep the front part of the hospital running with massive efficiency. Whether the receptionist/front office person works in a 1-doctor or 10-doctor hospital, the Exceptional Client Service Skills for the Receptionist/Front Office Staff Member CE course will help build the foundation of essential, exceptional skills and abilities needed to be a more efficient member of the front desk and hospital team.

Instructor:
Phyllis Webster, AA, OM

Dates:
March 7 - April 10, 2005
Real Time Sessions: Thursday Evenings; March 10, 17, 24, and 31 from 9:30pm - 11:00pm ET

CE Hours: 6 (RACE and VHMA applied for)

Tuition:
$102 ($92.00 early bird special if registered before February 21, 2005).

To learn more about this course, and to enroll visit the Exceptional Client Service Skills for the Receptionist/Front Office Staff Member course page.

VIN/AAFP Rounds
Sunday, February 20, 8 pm ET -
AAFP Student Rounds
It's AAFP Student Rounds night.
Click here to access the AAFP Rounds page, then click Classroom to attend this session.

Virtual Coffeehouse
Tuesday, February 22, 9:30 pm ET
Had any crazy clients lately? Stop by and tell us!
This Week's Rounds Schedule -- use the Coffeehouse link to join the discussion.

Great Insights from Previous Rounds:
How to Get the Most from your Post

Abstract Of The Week:
Molecular Methods to Distinguish Reactive and Neoplastic Lymphocyte Expansions and Their Importance in Transitional Neoplastic States

What's Your Diagnosis?
* Vomiting And Weight Loss
* Case Archives

Website Of The Week:
Radiology Websites, and more ...

Book Review:
Wound Care Management For The Equine Practitioner
Order this book from the VIN Store.

eVetsites Tip of the Week:
Visit with eVetsite Staff at Major Conferences

Upcoming Conferences
Looking to attend -- or contribute a paper to -- a veterinary conference? Check out the On The Road With VIN folder, or the Press Releases folder, to see what conferences are coming up and to visit their web sites! Links to information about upcoming conferences include: WVC, SAVMA, CMS, and AAHA.

Recent Rounds:

From the Boards:
* Third Degree AV Block
* Environmental Flea Control
* Estimating Gestational Age
* In-House vs External Lab Results

Organ System and Core Examination Review
Module A
Reserve Your Seat NOW for VIN's 12th annual Organ System and Core Examination Review Module A CE Course!

• Planning to take the ABVP General Examination?
• Looking for a comprehensive review of what's new in the pathophysiology & treatment of disease in dogs and cats?

The Organ System and Core Examination Review is the course for you!

Once again, we've assembled a great group of instructors who - together with a motivated group of learners - make this the most comprehensive
organ system review course available.

Module A includes the following topics: Neurology, Chemistry, Coagulation, Oncology, Immunology, Anesthesia, Surgery, Dentistry.

Within these topics, you will learn the important pathophysiologic mechanisms that underlie the diagnosis and treatment of disease in dogs and cats.

Dates:
March 30 - May 25, 2005
Interactive Sessions: Wednesdays during this period, 9:30 -11:30 PM ET

Topics and Instructors:
Course Coordinator: Katherine M. James, DVM, PhD

Neurology -- Linda Shell, DVM, ACVIM and William Thomas, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology)
Coagulation and Oncology -- Karri Meleo, DVM, DACVIM, DACVR and Neal Mauldin, DVM, DACVIM
Dentistry -- Steve Holmstrom, DVM, DAVCD
Surgery-- Bob Richardson, DVM and Joe Hauptman, DVM, MS, DACVS
Anesthesia-- Meghan Richey, DVM, MS, DACVA and Chuck McGrath, DVM, DACVA
Immunology -- Robert M. Gogal Jr,DVM

*Additional instructors TBA

CE Hours: 16

Tuition:
Member/$245, Non-Member/$338 before March 16, 2005;
Member/$272, Non-Member/$375 after March 16, 2005.

(If you register for All 3 Modules the discounted tuition rate: Member/$694, Non-Member/$957)

Module B (June 15 - Aug 10, 2005) includes the following topics:
Reproduction, Pharmacology, Infectious Disease, Dermatology, Fluids/Acid Base, Nephrology/Urology and Ophthalmology.**

Module C (Aug 31 - Oct 26, 2005) includes the following topics:
Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Respiratory andHematology/Chemistry. **
** Topics subject to change.

To Register: Visit Organ System and Core Examination Review Module A and click on the Enroll now link.