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fT4 Test Unavailable

To learn more, read the fT4 Testing Issues MedFAQ on the Endocrinology About page, or go to the MedFAQ section of the VIN Library.


Common Dermatological Diagnostic Tests

Many procedures can be performed in the clinic to help diagnose or rule-out skin disorders. An accurate diagnosis relies on good sample collection, whether for in-house analysis or for submission to a diagnostic service. The Common Dermatological Diagnostic Tests Medical FAQ (written by VIN Consultant Keith Hnilica - DipACVD) provides guidelines for procuring a sample that is likely to be of diagnostic quality when investigating skin diseases.


Digital Image Manipulation Survey

Images, as a part of case histories, can add important information to VIN Message Board discussions. However, the image-handling ability of VINners varies. Many VINners are photography experts. Many are neophytes.
Are you a photo-imaging software expert, or does even the *thought* of posting an image scare you?
Take the survey, and tell us!


New in VeterinaryPartner:

Texas Farm Radio:



Selection and interpretation of clinical pathology indicators of hepatic injury in preclinical studies
An increase in serum ALT activity in the range of 2-4X or higher in individual or group mean data, when compared with concurrent controls, should raise concern as an indicator of potential hepatic injury -- unless a clear alternative explanation is found.

Cerebrospinal fluid from a 7-month-old dog with seizure-like episodes
Severe pleocytosis with lymphocyte predominance is an unusual finding in canine distemper and must be differentiated from granulomatous meningoencephalitis. RT-PCR on CSF is a useful, fast, and specific method to diagnose CDV infection in dogs.

Evaluation of otoscope cone cleaning and disinfection procedures commonly used in veterinary medical practices: a pilot study
These results show that P. aeruginosa can survive on otoscope cones cleaned and disinfected by several commonly used methods. Further study is needed to determine practical and optimal cleaning and disinfection methods for otoscope cones.

More than meets the eye: subretinal aspirate from an acutely blind dog
A direct smear of the subretinal fluid was highly cellular and contained large numbers of pleomorphic organisms consistent with Prototheca sp.



I Am Considering Purchasing A Practice Where The Land Is Borderline Affordable; When I Retire I Will Probably Be Stuck With A Practice That I Cannot Sell. Should I Do It?
I am considering purchasing a practice where the land is borderline affordable. Because of its location, the land will most certainly be too expensive to sell as a veterinary clinic when I retire. Realistically there are not any locations near this practice that I could move the practice to in the years to come. So when I retire I will probably be stuck with a practice that I can not sell. This practice is a large multi vet practice that has cash flow. My other options are purchasing a solo vet practice or starting my own - both of which would most likely have less cash flow. Is the additional profit from a larger (un-sellable) practice usually enough to lose the income from its sale in 25 to 30 years? Any thoughts at all?

Sclerotic Stifle Lesion In A Dog With Unknown History
What happened here is possibly the only thing I hate to see more than osteosarcoma/bone tumor as the diagnosis. But it has happened to me, and I know how you feel.

Rescue Wants To Euthanize Every Cat That Tests Positive For Coronavirus
This is an excellent example of how more cats have died from a positive test than the disease. Tell the client that the Antech 7b-specific ELISA test is not a definitive test. It is impossible to assemble a bunch of street cats into a coronavirus-free environment. Not on this planet, in this century.

Chlorine Dioxide In An Oral Rinse Or In Drinking Water Can't Replace Brushing
Those last two articles talk of chlorine dioxide as an industrial disinfectant. The other discussed it when used in a brushing/rinsing regimen in human patients. What I still have never seen is anything supporting a benefit to oral hygeine or periodontal health in dogs or cats when the product is diluted in drinking water.

 

Sunday Rounds
Sunday, April 30, 10 pm ET
Join Joni Freshman, DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), for What You Need To Know About Agility Dogs.
This Week's Rounds Schedule -- use the Rounds link to join the discussion.

Virtual Coffeehouse
Tuesday, May 2, 9:30 pm ET
We're a third of the way through the year. How is business so far? Stop by and tell us.
This Week's Rounds Schedule -- use the Coffeehouse link to join the discussion.

How To Use VIN: Part 1
Wednesday, May 3, 9:30 pm ET
Learn how to use VIN to its full potential. Email Nate@VIN.com for more information about this free, three-week course.

Recent Rounds



Abstract Of The Week:
Efficacy Of Tulathromycin Injectable Solution For Treatment Of Naturally Occurring Swine Respiratory Disease

What's Your Diagnosis?
* What's Wrong With This Ferret?
* Case Archives

Website Of The Week:
AAEP Care Guidelines For Equine Rescue And Retirement Facilities and more...

Book Review of the Week:
Animal Restraint for Veterinary Professionals
You can find it in the VIN Bookstore.

Get More From VIN!
* How Do I...Email Another VINner?
* Read The "How To Use VIN" Tutorial
* How Can I ... Learn Associate?
* How Can I ... Become A Super-Duper VIN User?

eVetsites Tip of the Week:
Resizing Images in eVetsite II

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: ABVP and ACVIM.

From the Boards:
* Free T4 Testing Not Available
* Severe Chronic Otitis
* Aural Hematoma Treatment Options
* Mosquito Control In Horses



Canine Influenza
The Canine Influenza CE course will provide an overview of influenza virus infection in dogs, including susceptibility, transmission, clinical disease, treatment approaches, diagnostic tests, prevention strategies, and use of syndromic surveillance for location of virus activity in North America and definition of risk groups for infection. The course instructors will share their experiences with canine influenza virus infections in racing greyhounds and in dogs in shelters, boarding facilities, and veterinary clinics.

Instructors:
Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhD
Heather Troyer, DVM
Jenifer Barker, DVM
Kelly Ann Rada, DVM

Dates:
May 10 - May 17, 2006
Real-time session: Wednesday, May 10, 9:30 - 11:00 pm ET

CE Hours: 1.5

Tuition:
FREE (Course tuition sponsored by Intervet)
Attendance at the real-time session is open to ALL veterinarians and veterinary students and does not require registration. You simply need to go to www.vin.com/CE on Wednesday, May 10 at 9:30 pm ET and click on the banner for the Canine Influenza course. All who attend the real-time session will receive a transcript by email. Registration is needed if you are interested in obtaining CE credits and will be participating at the real-time session and the course message boards.

Please remember that all VIN members will have access to the transcript and course library materials, so it is not necessary to register if you are a VIN member, unless you are interested in CE credit.

Registration WILL CLOSE on or before
Monday, May 8, 2006 at 8pm ET as soon as the course capacity is reached. Free courses fill up quickly, so enroll now!

To Register:
Visit the Canine Influenza page and click on the Enroll Now link.


VIN This Week Archives
VIN This Week (VINTW) is an online newsletter to help VINners make more efficient use of the Veterinary Information Network.

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