And the Winners Are...
The winners of the Practice Management Software survey drawing are VIN member Cathy Wilkie, DVM and VSPN member Brandy Schmidt, LVT. Congratulations! We are currently in the process of tabulating the survey results. As soon as they are complete we will make them available to the VIN community. Thanks to all who participated in helping us gather more than 2000 responses!
New Books in the VIN Store!
Want to learn to use VIN more effectively?
If you can't make the live How To sessions, check out these other great resources:
New Articles On VeterinaryPartner.com:
Texas Farm Bureau:
Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Dogs and Cats
The potential advantages of the continuous glucose monitoring system tested in this study are that the frequency of sampling precludes the possibility that a brief episode of hypoglycemia would be overlooked, only three blood glucose concentrations in 24 hours are needed, and in-hospital stresses are avoided.
Pre- and Post-ACTH Serum 17-Hydroxyprogesterone for the Diagnosis of Hyperadrenocorticism
The low sensitivity of post-ACTH serum cortisol concentrations for diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism shows limitations of this test as well. The low-dose dexamethasone suppression test, while quite sensitive, has poor specificity.
Surgical Excision of Adrenal Gland Tumors With and Without Tumor Thrombi in Dogs
Vena cava tumor thrombosis is not associated with an increased perioperative mortality rate.
Trilostane Treatment of Cats with Pituitary-Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism in a Cat
Bilateral adrenalectomy is effective, but involves perisurgical risks in a cat that may be debilitated and more susceptible to poor wound healing and infection. It appears that trilostane is less effective for controlling hyperadrenocorticism in cats than in dogs.
Clients Unhappy They Have To Leave A Deposit
We have a version of the following, in writing, at the front desk. It's not posted, but if someone wanted us to "prove" it's hospital policy, the receptionist would certainly be free to do so. Established clients who are in good standing are not required to leave a deposit. (This means they've been bringing their pets to us for at least one year, have been in within the last 12 months, and do not at this time owe us money.) New clients (who do not meet the above criteria, but do not owe a balance) are required to leave 50% of the estimate at the time of admission. Clients in bad standing (e.g, they owe us money, they've been slow pay, they've been sent to collection) are required to leave 100% of the estimate, in cash, at time of admission.
Discussions and Opinions Re: Emergency Clinic Fees, Itemization
On the other hand, I would like to urge all er managers out there to be mindful that there are limits to what people can afford, and if the rdvm's do not feel their clients are being well-served, they WILL go back to the old days of opening their own e-clinics or rotating call. We cannot run these clinics like the federal goverment . Manage well-- save money where you can by proper managing / shopping / pricing, etc. Keep the overhead down and pass that on to the client. Don't just give the clients poor services and a high bill-- give them excellence in service and medicine, and they will still feel your high bill is a value. Don't be so quick to euthanize just because clients don't have the money on them at that second. How many of us or our employees would be able to come up with $1800 in the middle of the night to save our own lives let alone our pets ? If their regular vet is willing and able to cut that pyo for $400 , instead of the er doing it for $1800-- let the rdvm do it !
Should I Interview / Hire the "Over-Qualified"?
You can usually tell if you interview carefully if the person is just looking for a "paycheck" until something better comes along or, perhaps the person just truly wants to make a career change. I can't tell you how many "burned out" Wall Street and Madision Avenue executives have become inn-keepers.
What To Do With Unused Paid Vacation Days for Fired OM
Any vacation not taken by the end of the year is LOST. The reason for vacation is to recharge your batteries. It defeats the purpose if they don't take off.
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 Sunday Rounds
Sunday, March 13, 10 pm ET
Join David Mittenthal, CPA, for Keeping Up With The IRS: Tax Tips And Changes.
This Week's Rounds Schedule -- use the link in the Rounds Schedule to join the discussion.
Virtual Coffeehouse
Tuesday, March 15, 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.
How To Use VIN: Part 3
Wednesday, March 16, 9:30 pm ET
Learn how to use VIN's knowledgebase. Email Nate@VIN.com for more information about this free, three-part course.
Recent Rounds
Beyond General PracticeTaking The Plunge: Intermediate Fish MedicineAcute Systemic Anaphylaxis in CatsPractice Ownership Requirements AAFP Student Rounds SessionKnow Your Knees: Osteoarthritis Of The StifleAAFP Behavior Guidelines Part 1 & Part 2Diagnosis of Portosystemic Shunts in Dogs and Cats (ACVSc)Getting Wet: An Introduction to Fish Medicine
 Abstract Of The Week:
Effects of Cyclosporine A on Clinical and Histologic Abnormalities in Dogs with Sebaceous Adenitis
What's Your Diagnosis?
* Dental Brain-Teaser 36
* Case Archives
Website Of The Week:
Food Animal Production Medicine Nutrition Topics and more ...
Book Review:
Canine And Feline Endocrinology And Reproduction, Third Edition
Order this book from the VIN Store.
eVetsites Tip of the Week:
Add Mapquest “Get Directions” Function
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: CMS, AAHA, and ABVP.
From the Boards:
*Cutaneous Nocardiosis
*Administration of Human Albumin
*Confused by Heartworm Test Results
*Transdermal Vaccine
Free Bacteriuria CE Course
Bacterial urinary tract infections are something you treat and diagnose at your practice on a daily basis. Why not take a quick refresher course on the topic of bacteriuria and the available methods of diagnosis and earn FREE CE credits at the same time? VIN's FREE CE course, Bacteriuria: If Your Cocci Are Crud, Are Your Rods Real? is now open for enrollment! Instructors:
Carole Bolin, DVM, PhD; Cheryl Swenson, DVM, PhD; John Kruger, DVM, PhD, DACVIM Dates:
April 10 - 17, 2005 Interactive session: Sunday evening; 9:30-11:00 pm ET (US), April 10. Practice sessions: Thursday, April 7; 9:30-11 pm ET (US); Friday, April 8; 9:30-11 pm ET If you are new to VIN CE, have not taken a course recently, or are unfamiliar with the new Classroom format, please plan to come for 10-20 minutes during any of the scheduled practice sessions. The link to the Classroom will be located on the main CE page www.vin.com/CE. CE Hours: 1.5 Tuition:
FREE
Attendance at the Interactive Session is open to veterinarians and Veterinary students and does not require registration.
Advance registration only required for CE Credit. CE certificates will be given only to those who register before Friday, April 8, 2005, 5 pm PST. To Register:
Visit the course information page for Bacteriuria: If Your Cocci Are Crud, Are Your Rods Real? at and click on the Enroll now link.
Looking for more great CE?
Other scheduled VIN CE courses include:
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