Posted in Boards 2.0
Several VINners have asked why some recent message board messages -- mostly from consultants -- start with the words "Posted in Boards 2.0".

As one of the near final stages of testing Boards 2.0 several VIN consultants / editors and representatives have started using the NEW 2.0 version of the Message Boards.

"Posted in Boards 2.0" simply indicates that the message was posted using the new version of the boards.

If this testing goes well, it won't be long before Boards 2.0 becomes available for all VINners to begin the final stage of testing.

Thanks!

Make a Difference:
Participate in Clinical Trials!
Between the demands of practice and personal life, your precious free time (if you have any) is probably limited. Did you know you can contribute to veterinary research without leaving your home or office?

Simply visit the Clinical Trials & Research Projects page to find a study recruiting patients. Be a part of the solution. Help lead the way in answering questions that matter.

Recently added:

• Study of the Genetics of Osteochondrosis in the Great Dane
  Dr. Vicky Wilke at the University of Minnesota is looking for Great Danes with and without OCD of the shoulder.

If you would like to add your clinical trial or research project, please complete this survey or contact mrishniw@vin.com.

New in VeterinaryPartner:

• Check Your Emergency Plan
• Ursodiol (Actigall) revised
• Hypothyroidism in Dogs revised

Texas Farm Radio

• Equine Nutrition and Glycemic Index

Feather-picking Psittacines: histopathology and species trends
A preponderance of inflammatory skin disease was seen in macaws and Amazon parrots. A preponderance of traumatic skin disease was seen in cockatoos and African grey parrots. The prevalence of each was approximately equal in several other species, including conures, eclectus parrots, quaker parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, and caiques. No geographic or gender-based trends were identified.

Characterization of melamine-containing and calcium oxalate crystals in three dogs with suspected pet food-induced nephrotoxicosis
Melamine-containing crystals have distinct light microscopic, histochemical, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM/EDXA) characteristics that facilitate their identification in tissue.

The effects of feed form on consumption time and glucose and insulin response to a concentrate meal in equine
This article serves as a quick reference for hypercalcemia. Guidelines for causes, clinical signs, analysis, and diagnosis are presented in a stepwise approach.

Staff hiring dilemmas
So I was actually considering having an ad in the paper for an open call interview perhaps 2 different evenings. Just have people show up with resume and references if they are interested. Then have someone hand out the "math skills" and just interview one by one, check references later, depending on if the person seemed like they were worth investigating.So at that point can you have them sign a waiver that allows the past references to give you more than hire or fire information?

Canine breed testing
They list 38 breeds--interestingly (well, to me at least!) they list Belgian Tervuren as one of the breeds, but not Belgian Malinois or Belgian Sheepdog. Since you can get tervs in sheepdog litters and vice versa, and tervs in Malinois litters, and Elaine Ostrander's work has shown they are the same breed (which we knew all along), I am not sure how they are handling that.

Photographs of discolored teeth in a kitten with suspected porphyria
These kittens are approximately four weeks old. They have red tips on all of their teeth. When we examine the teeth with a black light the teeth glow bright pink. From research we have done on VIN we are suspicious of porphyria.

Dealing with client requests for vaccinations without physical exam
If you really feel you *need* to donate something to make Mr. Jones's life easier, then donate the exam. Then you are not confusing your staff and clients by letting the exam slide when it truly is necessary, you've reinforced the necessity of the exam in the client's eyes, and you've reminded yourself how much your charitable act costs you.

Virtual Coffeehouse
Tuesday, July 15, 9:30 p.m. EDT
(July 16, 1:30 a.m. GMT)
Stop by and chat with your fellow VIN addicts!

How To Use VIN: Part 3
Wednesday, July 16, 9:30 pm EDT
(July 17, 01:30 am GMT)
Learn how to be a Super VINner!
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.
Recent Rounds
@ = VINcast is available for this session

Member Benefit:
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.

The Client Brochure was created as an easy way to explain to clients how being a VIN member impacts the quality of veterinary care that you provide. It also highlights the VIN client handout website, VeterinaryPartner.com, where your clients can go to learn more about a health issue concerning their pets. VIN members can order a pack of 25 brochures for FREE in the VIN Bookstore.

If you have any comments or concerns regarding the information provided, please let us know. We do it all for you!

Get More From VIN!
Why Should I Cross-Post?
By cross-posting, you allow the various specialists to combine their knowledge into one discussion, thus creating a TEAM EFFORT in guiding you with your case. Get help and see examples!

Funny Bones:
Cooking with Dog
"Why did I watch all of that? I need a life."

What's Your Diagnosis?
* Ophthalmology Fun 58
* Ophthalmology Fun 59
* Archives of the Challenging and Fun Cases

Book Review of the Week:
An Atlas of Interpretive Radiographic Anatomy of the Dog and Cat, Second Edition
Purchase this book in the VIN Bookstore!

Website of the Week:
DVM Insight Image Library and more...

Associate - Updated and New:
* Shock in Cats and Dogs
* Explore the rest of the 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: AVMA, World Veterinary Conference and AAV.

These courses are now open for enrollment!
Click on the links below to see the details, register and find more upcoming CE.

Veterinary Cytology & Fluid Analysis: What Can You Learn From a Smear of Schmutz
July 8 - August 19, 2008

Collection and evaluation of a cytology preparation can be a quick, relatively noninvasive way to obtain information about a lesion or effusion. This course is designed to provide veterinarians with detailed information on collection and interpretation of these samples.

Practical Avian Medicine Module 1
Introduction to Birds
October 7 - October 21, 2008

The Practical Avian Medicine series is presented by the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) and Veterinary Information Network (VIN) with the goal to provide veterinarians with solid basic avian medical knowledge that is applicable to everyday practice. There will be 9 modules, which are each 2 weeks long.

Module 1 will cover the following topics: Avian anatomy and physiology, ID and classification, husbandry and nutrition.

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 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.