Registration is open for the 2003 ACVIM Forum. We hope to see you in Charlotte, NC -- June 4-8.

What is MIC?

On Sunday, April 6, VIN's Rounds will present 1.5 hours of CE (for FREE!). Join us for The Role of Susceptibility Data in Antimicrobial Selection.

• Having trouble sorting out which antibiotics to use without having a culture -- or even after getting back that culture?
• What exactly is MIC, and how do we interpret all those numbers?

Dawn Boothe, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DAVCP, will explain it all!

Note: All VINners can attend this Rounds session, but advanced registration is required in order to receive CE credit. If you wish to receive CE credit, you must register before 8 pm ET on April 3.

To Register: Visit Susceptibility Data in Antimicrobial Selection and click on the Enroll Now link in the right-hand column.

(PSST!! There are two practice sessions scheduled next week for this course -- Tuesday April 1 and Friday April 4 -- watch next week's VINTW for details!)

Results of the AVMA Survey on Companion Animal Ownership in US Pet-Owning Households
Overall companion animal ownership has remained stable since 1996, whereas the total number of dogs and cats owned and the mean number per household has increased. Ownership of specialty and exotic pets decreased since 1996, except for ferrets and turtles.

Surgical and Postoperative Complications Associated with Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy in Dogs with Cranial Cruciate
Ligament Rupture: 397 Cases (1998-2001)
Although TPLO was associated with a greater number of complications than other CCL stabilization methods, the incidence of major complications was similar.

WSJ Article On Vaccines
I opened up my Wall Street Journal this morning to see a half inch headline "Are Annual Shots Overkill?" with a picture of dogs on an assembly line being vaccinated by a veterinarian.

Blastomycosis Presenting As Severe Cellulitis In A Dog - Prognosis And Treatment
Interestingly about Sporanox, the little beads in the capsule are inert and have the itraconazole sprayed onto the surface to increase the surface area and thus increase absorption. When itraconazole is compounded, and the powder is simply packed into a capsule, there's no way to achieve this same surface area and the absorption is much lower. Additionally, giving the itraconazole with food is essential to maximize absorption.

Veterinary Support Personnel Network CE:
Basic Receptionist/Front Office Skills

• How do you train your receptionists and front office staff?
• Do you think there are issues that could be covered better or that you may have missed?

This is your chance to get the receptionists/front office staff you always wanted. These most important people in a practice can take advantage of VSPN CE's newest support staff course: Basic Receptionist/Front Office Skills.

Make sure your staff are registered members of VSPN (www.vspn.org, it's free!), then have them go to the course info page to ENROLL NOW.

At $86 (if registered before April 9), this course is a great review for front office staff, receptionists, office managers, and practice managers.

If you have any questions please email VSPNCE@vspn.org or call the VIN office (800.700.4636) and ask to speak to Nanette.

Virtual Coffeehouse
Tuesday, April 1, 9:30 pm ET -
What Aprils Fool's Day pranks did you encounter today? Stop by and share!
Stop by and share.
Rounds Room

How To Course, Part 1

Wednesday, April 2, 9:30 pm ET -
Learn how to use your computer and VIN. Email Nate@VIN.com to sign up for this FREE three part course.

New Grad Rounds
Thursday, April 3, 10 pm ET -
If our telephone connections work, this session will be an interview with an Iditarod veterinarian. If we cannot connect, we have a great case discussion on Megaesophagus as backup. Either one will be interesting, so see you there!
Rounds Room

Sunday Rounds

Sunday, April 6, 9:30 - 11 pm ET - SPECIAL TIME!
Free 1.5 hours of CE sponsored by VIN!
Having trouble sorting out which antibiotics to use without having a culture -- or even after getting culture results? What exactly is MIC and how do we interpret all those numbers? Dawn Boothe, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DAVCP, will be helping us sort out The Role Of Susceptibility Data In Antimicrobial Selection.
Rounds Room

Abstract Of The Week:
The Carnivore Connection To Nutrition In Cats

Book Review:
Restraint Of Fractious Cats (CD-ROM)

Website of the Week:
Principles of Surgery

Survey of The Week Results:
* Imaging & Telemedicine
* Nasal Mites
* Euthanasia Procedures
* FATE
* Veterinary Career Survey, Part 1

Recent Rounds:
* Equine Pediatric Orthopedics
* Financial Planning Strategies For Practice Owners
* Rescue Protocols for Lymphoma
* Fluid Therapy in Shock(ing) Situations
* Practice Mergers and Affiliations
* Common Muscle Diseases

From the Boards:
* Getting A Seizure History
* Hiring A New Graduate
* High Density Scheduling
* SARS Information

Lions And Tigers And Servals, Oh My:
Basic Medicine And Husbandry Of Non-Domestic Cats

• Has the exotic cat craze infected your clients?
• Are you uncomfortable about your ability to handle and treat these unusual creatures?
• Do you know what these cats require in the way of diet, vaccinations, and housing?

VIN CE can help!

VIN's 4 CE credit course, Lions And Tigers And Servals, Oh My: Basic Medicine And Husbandry Of Non-Domestic Cats will give you a good overview of the needs of these non-domestic cats, and make you feel more confident of your ability to cope.

Note: This course is open to veterinarians, veterinary students, and veterinary technicians.

Instructor: Laurie Gage, DVM

Dates: April 22nd - May 6th, 2003
Interactive Sessions : Tuesday evenings 9:30- 11:30 PM ET (US)

To Register: Visit Lions And Tigers And Servals, Oh My: Basic Medicine And Husbandry Of Non-Domestic Cats and click on the Enroll now link.