The ACVIM 2002 Forum Proceedings are available on VIN. Visit your VIN library to find a link or use this shortcut to the ACVIM 2002 Proceedings.

ECVIM Proceedings for 2002!
The European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM) 2002 Proceedings are now available online for you. You can find a link in your VIN Library to go to the ECVIM Proceedings.
(PSST! If you are interested in attending ECVIM 2003, September 4 - 6, in Uppsala, Sweden, click the Register Now button on the proceedings page.)

Ultrasonographic Signs of Intestinal Intussusception Associated With Acute Enteritis or Gastroenteritis in 19 Young Dogs
The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of intestinal intussusception were 100%, 97.8%, and 98.4%, respectively. Transverse and longitudinal sections were necessary for an accurate diagnosis.

Thermoplastic Materials for Orthotic Design
Low-temperature thermoplastic (LTT) splints have many advantages, including the ability to be reheated and remolded several times. Static, serial-static, and nonarticular splints can be modified for treating companion animals.

Meloxicam
Meloxicam is selective for COX-2; therefore, it alleviates pain and inflammation from arachidonic acid metabolism while sparing the "housekeeping" functions of prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Although meloxicam is COX-2 selective, at higher doses its specificity is diminished and more GI distress may be seen.

Hydrallantois in Mares
The clinical onset of hydrallantois is short and occurs in mid to late gestation. Most foals delivered from mares with hydrallantois are born alive but are either deformed or too dysmature/premature to survive. The treatment of choice is elective termination of pregnancy by induced parturition.

Chameleon Abscess
Reptiles produce a very caseous pus. As the abscess enlarges, it can cause ischaemic necrosis of the overlying skin. When the necrotic skin sloughs, the "pebble" of caseated pus will drop out, leaving a defect. Treatment may still be needed as the internal capsule of the abscess will remain. As the skin heals over this, another abscess may form.

DCM, Diet, Taurine In Dogs
Taurine is actively concentrated in many cells in the body -- including platelets and white cells -- which is why whole blood and plasma concetrations are so different. When platelets are activated, and a clot forms, taurine is released, which is why we look at plasma (and not serum) concentrations.

Lameness And Muscle Atrophy In Dog: Limb/Spine Rads
On a lateral view of the cervical spinal column, it is important to place a wad of cotten under the cervical spine between the head and shoulders. This will help remove the "sag" in the spine. On the ventrodorsal view, a straight VD is OK for the upper cervical disc spaces, but -- to project the lower cervical disc spaces -- you need to angulate the x-ray beam ...

Small Cell Lymphoma in Cat; Does Vitamin B12 Favor Cancer Cell Survival?
It has been known since the 1950s that cancer has up to 100-200 fold affinity for B12 than most normal tissues. Deficiency of something can indeed be due to increased consumption or utilization of that substance. One [might think] that if B12 is taken up with extreme efficiency by cancer cells, and that it is needed by those cancer cells, that supplementation may favor cancer cell survival.

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Recent Rounds
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Abstract Of The Week:
Hypoallergenic Diet Containing Hydrolyzed Protein For IBD

Book Review:
Pathology Of Pet And Aviary Birds

Website Of The Week:
Vaginal Cytology

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

From the Boards:
* Diets For Sugar Gliders
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Strategies for Success:
Control The Dollars Flowing Through Your Practice

• Do you just nod automatically when your business manager goes over your balance sheets and cash flow statements with you? Or do you nod with real understanding?
• Do you just write checks until you run out of money? Or do you use a practice budget?
• Do you buy equipment/neat toys on impulse? Or do you use a capital improvement budget to plan your purchases?
• When your associate asks to buy-in, do you pull a number out of the air? Or do you really know how much your practice is worth because you have all the numbers in black and white?

Strategies for Success: Control The Dollars Flowing Through Your Practice can teach you how to work your practice numbers and head toward financial success.

Instuctors:
Don Draper, University Professor, Iowa State University
Dr. Robert Froehlich, President, Summit Veterinary Advisors, LLC, Lakewood, Colorado
Michael J. Upah, Assistant Director, Small Business Development Center, Iowa State University

Dates:
June 5 to July 10, 2003
Interactive sessions:
Thursdays 9:30-11:30 PM ET (USA)

Course Description:
This course covers the fundamentals of practice financial management. Course topics include: using practice financial statements as management tools; applying economic performance ratios; utilizing financial modeling and practice budgets to grow the practice; using cash flow budgets for decision making; applying capital budgeting procedures to resource allocations; and determining practice value.

Visit the Strategies for Success: Control The Dollars Flowing Through Your Practice course page to learn more about this 10 credit hour CE course and to Sign Up!