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How to help an itchy kitty
Got a cat that can't stop scratching? Come to Sunday Rounds on July 8 at 9 pm (note the earlier than usual time!) and let Keith Hnilica, DVM, MS, DACVD, show you Five Steps To Stopping Feline Itch. Use the Rounds link in the Main Navigation bar to join the discussion.
To find out what other interesting rounds topics are coming soon, see This Week's Rounds Schedule.

Your Privacy & VIN

Your privacy is of utmost concern to VIN. We take great pride in keeping VIN exclusive to members only. If you think there is any chance that someone may have your password, your personal account may be accessible to others. Remember, only one person should ever use your login information -- you!
Use My VIN to change your password today! After you login to VIN, MyVIN is found on the Main Navigation Bar. Open MyVIN, click on Membership and then click on Change your Password. Be sure and click on Update to submit your change.

To change additional pieces of your login information, contact membership services at 1-800-700-4636 or 1-530-756-4881 (local or outside North America). If you prefer, you can email membership services at VINGRAM@vin.com.

Companion Animal Parasite Council: Guidelines and more...
The mission of the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) is to foster animal and human health, while preserving the human-animal bond, through recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of parasitic infections.

  • Guidelines
  • National Board Study Guide for Parasitology

Help Advance Veterinary Medicine!
Are you looking for clinical trials for which your patients might be eligible? Want to help your patient and advance veterinary medicine at the same time? You might be able to "kill two birds with one stone." The VIN Clinical Trials and Research Projects page lists many trials currently enrolling cases. Wander over and familiarize yourself with the trials - maybe you have a client and patient that fits the bill.

In case you were unable to attend ...
IVECCS 2006 Proceedings Online - Browse by speaker/category or search by topic.


New in VeterinaryPartner:

Texas Farm Radio:



Assessment of blood pressure in cats presented with urethral obstruction
Though potassium and total calcium were inversely and directly correlated respectively with blood pressure in cats with urethral obstruction, none of the cats were hypotensive on presentation. Normotension on admission does not support the absence of biochemical and physical abnormalities in obstructed cats.

The effects of ice-water storage on blood gas and acid-base measurements
The PO2 of arterial and venous blood increased significantly when samples were stored in plastic syringes in ice water. These increases are attributable to the diffusion of oxygen from and through the plastic of the syringe into the blood, which occurred at a rate that exceeded metabolic consumption of oxygen by the nucleated cells.

Evaluation of hematological, chemistry and blood gas values in dogs receiving hemoglobin glutamer-200
In normal dogs, administration of Hb-200 resulted in statistically significant changes in multiple laboratory parameters; however, these changes are not likely to be clinically significant in the care of critically ill dogs.

Prospective study of zonisamide therapy for refractory idiopathic epilepsy in dogs
In dogs with refractory epilepsy, zonisamide may have a beneficial effect on seizure control. In three responder dogs, seizure activity relapsed possibly because of an induction of tolerance. Limiting factors are the high costs.



Work up asymptomatic cat with elevated GGT? How to decide how much testing/treatment is appropriate in a given situation?
The art of medical practice mandates that I look at the patient, conduct a thorough examination, get a history that is as detailed as possible, and then work with the client to spend funds appropriately -- even if the sky is the limit.

Taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy in a cat on commercial cat food
I'd start the cat on taurine (while you're waiting for the results). I've seen cats with a taurine-responsive dilated cardiomyopathy who have been on a commercial diet, and there's NO downside to being on taurine while we're waiting.

Should employer's portion of payroll taxes be included in employee's benefit calculations?
The employer portion of social security is definitely a 'cost' to the business. Whether or not it is a benefit to the associate is open to interpretation and negotiation.

Medetomidine or acepromazine? Therapeutic uses and adverse effects in a preanesthetic medication
I realize there is a debate about what to use as a sedative in the preanesthetic medication: medetomidine or acepromazine. Has anyone come to some conclusion? Is it just a matter of preference or cost? Is there anything else that's better?

  Click to change the image (Category3)

Sunday Rounds-Special Time
Sunday, July 8, 9 pm (July 9, 01:00 am GMT)
Join Keith Hnilica, DVM, MS, DACVD, for Five Steps To Stopping Feline Itch.
This Week's Rounds Schedule -- use the Rounds link to join the discussion.

Virtual Coffeehouse
Tuesday, July 10, 9:30 pm (July 11, 01:30 am GMT)
The year is now half over. Are you on track to accomplish your goals for 2007? Stop by and share with your colleagues!
Use the Coffeehouse link to join the discussion.
This Week's Rounds Schedule

How To Use VIN: Part 1
Wednesday, July 11, 9:30 pm (July 12, 01:30 am GMT)
Learn how to use VIN. Email Nate@VIN.com for more information about this free, three-session course.

Recent Rounds

  • How to Hire a Relief Vet
  • EBM Journal Club
  • Bovine Viral Diarrhea
  • Alternative Exit Strategies
  • Evidence-Based Medicine Journal Club
  • Fluid Therapy: When, Where and How?
  • What's That Lump? Know Before You Cut
  • How To Select And Hire A Consultant


  • Member Benefit:
    Plan to hire a new grad!
    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 2007 Graduates to search for open positions.

    Associate - Updated and New:
    * Learn the difference between Dacryops and Dacryocystitis in dogs
    *Explore the rest of the Associate!

    What's Your Diagnosis?
    * Ophthalmology Case 24
    * Dental Brain-Teaser 63
    * Case Archives

    Website of the Week:
    Animal Diversity Web and more……

    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?

    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: AHS, AVMA and AAV.

    From the Boards:
    *What Are These Crystals?
    *What's This Mutt Made Of?
    *Is This Ivermectin Toxicity?
    *Using "Specialist" In Advertising



    Equine Essentials-Basic Horse Care
    Many veterinary clinics treat both small and large animals. This is an introductory course designed for veterinary support staff that have an interest in equine sciences but have limited equine experience. It will offer a basic overview on such topics as: breeds, colors and markings; terminology, nutrition, vaccination, parasitology, common disorders, diseases, and behaviors.

    This course is designed for all veterinary staff and veterinary technician students wishing to review the basics of equine care, identification, and nutrition.

    Upon completion of this course, participants should be:

    • able to identify common breeds and colors of horses and be acquainted with their differences.
    • able to identify the general anatomical areas of a horse.
    • familiar with common equine terms.
    • able to understand the basics of safe stabling.
    • knowledgeable regarding vaccination and deworming protocols for the horse.
    • able to assess the nutrient requirements of different ages and lifestyles of horses.
    • able to describe signs, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of some common equine infectious diseases and parasites.
    • familiar with basic equine first aid.
    • familiar with basic behavior traits of horses.

    Instructors:
    Debbie Hembroff, RVT, CVT & Chris Upchurch, AA, VA

    Dates:
    July 3-August 9, 2007

    Real-time sessions: Monday evenings July 9, 16, 23, and 30; 10:00 -11:30pm pm ET (Tuesdays, 02:00 - 03:30 am, GMT)

    CE Hours: 6

    Tuition:
    $111

    TEXTBOOK: There is one required text and two recommended texts for this course:

    Required text:
    Complete Horse Care Manual 2nd Ed. Vogel, C. Dorling Kindersley, Ltd. (2003) Available from online retailers.

    Recommended texts:
    Horses for Dummies, 2nd Ed. Pavia, A. & Posnikoff, J., Wiley, John & Sons, Inc. (2005). Available from online retailers.

    Large Animal Clinical Procedures for Veterinary Technicians, Hanie, E. A., Elsevier Health (2006). Available in the VIN bookstore. Be sure to login to receive your member discount.

    To find out more about this course:
    Visit the Equine Essentials-Basic Horse Care page.

    To register, go to the course information page and choose 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.

    To modify (text vs. html version) or cancel your subscription to this newsletter, please login to VIN and use the MyVIN feature to edit your email preferences. (Alternatively, reply to the VINTW email - with the word 'remove' - and your VINTW will be canceled.) We (Feedback@VIN.com) welcome your comments, suggestions, and questions.


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