Grrrr!!!! So, so sorry for the technical problems yesterday!! A few hours after the VIN Geeks successfully changed to even bigger and better routers (expensive boxes that direct traffic from the internet to the VIN servers) WITHOUT any interruption in service, the new routers started "arguing" with some other black boxes in the system and brought everything to a screaming halt for 2 hours. Once the VIN Geeks identified the ongoing "family feud," they gave both sets of boxes a "talking to" and they started playing well together. APOLOGIES for any inconvenience this caused. ROUNDS -- Herbs, Acupuncture And Massage (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) For Cats Alternative medicine is becoming more popular with pet owners. Join Michele Gaspar, DVM, DABVP to learn what these modalities have to offer your feline patients. Use the Rounds link in the Main Navigation bar to join the discussions. To find out what other interesting rounds topics are coming soon, see This Week's Rounds Schedule. NEWS THAT'S FIT TO CLICK and discuss
News reported for YOU... Be a VIN Newshound:
VNS is here to give YOU a voice and report news that is important to YOU. Got an idea for a story? Have a story that needs covering? Post it on the boards or email News@vin.com . VIN News Service Needs Your Feedback Share News with nonVINners -- The VIN News Service (without access to the community discussions) is now publicly available at news.vin.com. Check it out and share it.
Economic Impact Survey: Take Two
A few months ago, the VIN community conducted a brief survey of the economic impact of the downturn in the economy. Check out the survey results and share your thoughts in the message board discussion. Since then, a new president has taken up residence in the White House, the Economic Stimulus package has been implemented (or is getting started). We'd like to see what you think today - has your perspective changed? Has your practice suffered or prospered? Please take this short survey and let us know. As usual, all information will be kept confidential. If you participated in another survey and haven't seen the results, check the Surveys and Clinical Research area in the Library.
Annual VIN Community Breakfast at ACVIM
Don't miss your chance to meet some of your fellow VINners, including several of your favorite VIN Consultants, Associate Editors and Reps. This year, as in the past, Paul will show off a few new VIN features and tricks to help you get more from VIN. Date: Saturday, June 6
Time: 6:30 - 7:50 a.m.
Place: Hyatt Regency Montreal: Jeanne Mance Room Paul and the VIN staff look forward to getting to know you and learning how we can make VIN better for you. To RSVP, please take a moment to respond to this quick survey.
New in VeterinaryPartner:
Texas Farm Radio
Radiation therapy for canine appendicular osteosarcoma
The purpose of this report was to describe, compare and review the clinical applications of RT currently available for use in the management of canine OSA.
Mechlorethamine, procarbazine and prednisone for the treatment of resistant lymphoma in dogs
The overall response rate to MPP (mechlorethamine, procarbazine, and prednisone) was 34% for a median of 56 days. Seventeen percent of the dogs had a complete response for a median duration of 238 days, 17% had a partial response for a median of 56 days, and 32% had stable disease for a median of 24 days.
Nonobstructive idiopathic feline lower urinary tract disease: How to approach a puzzling disorder
Researchers have yet to pin down the cause or causes of this frustrating and often painful disease, so a definitive treatment protocol remains elusive. Current recommendations include lifestyle changes such as stress relief and increased water intake.
Veterinarians and the red flags rule
I don't really care how "easy" the AVMA has made it, I'm a solo practitioner, and I don't have time for this kind of crap. We try to protect what we have already. The written plan, etc, is a colossal waste of time. My biggest concern, that I cannot get a straight answer from anyone on, is how long I must keep "my" copy of a credit card sales slip before I can destroy it. I've been told anywhere from 5 years to 30 days. These slips laying around are the single biggest threat to anyone, with the CC numbers and signatures on them. The new systems don't print the whole number, but I still have slips from the old system. Can I please burn them now?
*Related VNS article
Dealing with those nasty internet reviews
Has anyone heard of starting a MySpace or Facebook page and ask real legitimate clients to post real, honest, positive testimonials? If a rumor mill gets started, I could refer people to the internet networking site to read for themselves how I am not the Ogre the disgruntled client makes me out to be. Or, is it better to let things fizzle and hope people consider the source? The problem with that is the negative comments on the internet are essentially archived forever. I imagine there is no such thing as a court ordered restraining order for slander on the internet. Free speech?
Is neutering related to an increased risk of hypothyroidism?
The stomach and bowel contents have mineral opacity particles distributed throughout. This could be kitty litter -- but why would a cat eat that?
Cat possibly injured during urethral catherization: should we cover costs of repair? How much detail is required for informed consent?
This illustrates one of the major problems with the concept of "Informed Consent". Overall, it is a poorly defined and nebulous responsibility placed upon professionals.
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 Sunday Rounds
Sunday, May 10, 10 p.m. EDT
(Monday, May 11, 3 a.m. GMT/UTC)
Join Michele Gaspar, DVM, DABVP, for Herbs, Acupuncture And Massage (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) For Cats.
Virtual Coffeehouse
Tuesday, May 12, 9:30 p.m. EDT
(Wednesday, May 13, 2:30 a.m. GMT/UTC)
Stop by and chat with your fellow VIN addicts!
How To Use VIN: Part 2
Wednesday, May 13, 9:30 pm ET
(Thursday, May 14, 2:30 am GMT)
Learn how to use VIN's Knowledgebase.
Email Nate@VIN.com for more information about this free, three-session course.
This Week's Rounds Schedule
Use the Rounds link to join these discussions. Want to See What You've Been Missing?
Click the Rounds button on VIN's main navigation bar and read the transcripts of the last few Rounds, click the complete list of Rounds to get to the list of the last 300 Rounds transcripts or click on Rounds and Discussions in the VIN Library. Rounds are also searchable via the main VIN Search. Just remember to choose Rounds (under the Clinical Resources tab) as the "Source" in your search parameters. For All You Multi-Taskers:
Download VINCasts to your MP3 player and listen to previous Rounds sessions while you run errands, exercise or steal a few minutes of me-time. Recent Rounds
@ = VINCast available for this session
 Member Benefit:
Plan to hire a new grad!
Many of the best graduating seniors are regular VIN users. Post your position in Vetquest Classifieds. Please use the Positions Offered -- New Graduates category as this is where we encourage the 2009 Graduates to search for open positions and post their resumes. This is a FREE service provided by VIN and VETQUEST.
Get More From VIN!
Got Staff?
The Veterinary Support Personnel Network was created specifically for your technicians, practice managers and other staff members to have access to their own message boards, chats and CE. Have your staff go to www.vspn.org to register! It's free! Educate Your Clients
Help your clients to be better informed pet owners with the Client Education Resources listed in the VIN Library. Find even more no-cost, advertising-free, independent online information that you can trust at VeterinaryPartner.com. Need Help?
Having trouble logging in to VIN? Questions about your membership? Can't find that reference you need for a tough case? Help is a click, email or phone call away! (Hint: you can find this page anytime by clicking HELP on the main VIN Navigation Bar.)
Funny Bones
Grammar snobs, unite!
"Boss just bought a beautiful new sign for the clinic with a new updated logo. Along with the new signs went up a sign that says "Veterinarian Parking" and an arrow to our only parking lot. I am not good enough with grammar to be a snob, but every time we drive by it, my SO asks where the clients are supposed to park."
What's Your Diagnosis?
Archives of the Challenging and Fun Cases
* Ophthalmology Fun 82
* Zoonosis Case 14
* Zoonosis Case 15
Book Review of the Week
Equine Practice - Surgical Complications and Management Strategies
Purchase it in the VIN Bookstore! Website of the Week
Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Laboratory and more..... eVetsites Tip of the Week
Modifying Page Titles for Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Associate - Updated and New:
Fever of unknown origin in cats and dogs
Explore the rest of Associate!
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: AVA, ACVIM, EVECCS, SEVC, PVC, and ESFM
NOW OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT!
Click on the links below to see the details, register and find more upcoming CE.
Quality Management for the Veterinary Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Part I
June 7 - September 6, 2009 Participants will be introduced to theories of management and concepts vital to quality planning. Examples of ISO-based and GLP standards will be included. Laboratory design, Westgard Rules, QC Validation and Sigma Metrics will be covered. Quality Management for the Veterinary Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Part II
October 4 - December 20, 2009 Participants will study personnel specifications, job descriptions, training records and employee appraisals, learn about audits in the veterinary clinical pathology laboratory and determination of reference intervals. Improvement Opportunities, external Quality Assurance performance and a Quality Plan for the laboratory are the final topics in Part II. *NOTE: Part I is a prerequisite for Part II. For information on other CE courses, check out the Course Catalog on the CE Main Page. Please visit How-To's Of Online CE for details about how to register and participate in online CE courses.
If you're looking for more information on CE opportunities for veterinary technicians, receptionists or practice managers, please visit the VSPN CE page. VSPN offers courses specifically tailored to veterinary support personnel, and certain VIN courses also are open to VPSN members.
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