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Survey Glitch - embarassed & sorry
We were very excited about the recent survey on vaccination policies executed in partnership with Houston area colleagues.

Unfortunately, a recent change to the survey system introduced a "bug" that resulted in substantial data loss - virtually all the data about canine vaccination options, and a little of the feline data was lost. Partial results from the feline vaccination information are available for your review.

In order to complete the survey, participants of the first survey will be asked to answer an addendum survey so that we can acquire a complete data set. Participants will be emailed a link to the survey in the near future.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation in this matter. The VIN survey crew has implemented changes in how surveys are tested to make sure this type error and inconvenience to the VIN community does not happen again.

Thanks to all those who particpated and thanks for understanding. The complete results will be available to the entire VIN community in a few weeks.

Clinical Research Trials
Do you have a Golden Retriever patient with a lymphoma? It might be eligible to participate in a clinical study being conducted by Dr. Breitschwerdt at NC State University. So far, 24 cases have been recruited (they hope to get 40 before year-end). A simple blood sample is all that's required. So help out and let's advance veterinary science!

Gear Up For September Conferences
If you're looking for some great summer CE, there's still time to register.

The European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Congress is September 14-16, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Or if you want something farther west, the International Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Symposium is September 16-20, in San Antonio, TX.

Catch up on last year's proceedings in the VIN Library:

Skin Is In: Dermatology Notebook
This quick reference contains drugs, normals, equivalents, foods, and more. This reference has been generously contributed by VIN Consultant Carol Foil, BS, MS, DVM, DACVD, professor of Dermatology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University.


New in VeterinaryPartner:

Texas Farm Radio:



Evaluation of survival time in dogs with stage III osteosarcoma that undergo treatment: 90 cases (1985-2004)
Median survival time was 76 days, with a range of 0 to 1,583 days. Dogs treated palliatively with radiation therapy and chemotherapy had a significantly longer survival time (130 days) than dogs in all other treatment groups. Dogs treated with surgery alone had a significantly shorter survival time (3 days) than dogs treated with surgery and chemotherapy (78 days). Dogs with bone metastases had a longer survival time than dogs with soft tissue metastases.

Comparison of B-mode and Doppler ultrasonographic findings with histologic features of benign and malignant mammary tumors in dogs
Tumor echogenicity and echopattern on ultrasonographic images correlated with tissue heterogeneity detected histologically. Acoustic enhancement was correlated with the presence of necrotic or cystic areas. Tumor invasion into surrounding tissues as determined ultrasonographically did not correlate with the histologic findings.

Evaluation of clinicopathologic features, response to treatment, and risk factors associated with idiopathic neutropenia in dogs: 11 cases (1990-2002)
Compared with dogs with neutropenia attributable to known causes, dogs with idiopathic neutropenia had lower neutrophil counts and were younger. Age < 4 years was identified as a risk factor for developing idiopathic neutropenia. In all dogs with idiopathic neutropenia, remission of neutropenia occurred within 18 days after administration of prednisone (2 to 4 mg/kg PO daily) and no serious complications or infections developed.

A questionnaire-based study of gestation, parturition and neonatal mortality in pedigree breeding cats in the UK
The duration of first stage of labour was less than 2h in 82.9% of cats. The interval between the birth of the first and last kitten was less than 6h in 85.7%, but more than 48h in three cats. A maximum of 48h was recorded between the births of individual kittens in unassisted deliveries.



How Do You Politely Get Friends And Neighbors To Back Off When You're Off Duty?
I have a firm policy of not offering comments on cases outside of the office. I'm not rude or anything but my standard response is to offer to see the dog at the office tomorrow.

I'm Contemplating Being Closed On Saturdays -- Good Or Bad Idea?
I'm opening a new practice in a couple months and plan not to be open Saturdays, hoping 7:30/8:00 starts and 7:00 closing on some days accomodates busy work schedules. For those who have some Saturdays open, is that confusing to clients?

How Often You Can Repeat Epidural Injections In A Cat?
Might be better off to place an epidura catheter but i dont know if they make a Tohey needle and catheter small enough. I have done them daily for a couple of days and have not had any problems.

Surgery Vs Medical Therapy For Arnold-Chiari I Malformation - Benefits And Risks
Surgery is generally considered the definitive treatment of choice for Chiari I Malformation. Overall, the success rate is around 80%, with about 20% of patients having incomplete resolution of signs or later recurrence. Like any surgery, experience in managing these patients affects outcome and for this surgery that usually means referral to someone trained in neurosurgery. But I wouldn't consider this particular surgery especially esoteric or complex. If I had the choice between this surgery and spaying an 5-year-old overweight rottweiller in heat, I'd pick the Chiari decompression -- it's much easier.

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Sunday Rounds
Sunday, August 13, 10 pm ET
Join John Slaughter, DVM, for Your Digital Images: Do They Reflect Or Hurt Your Professional Image?
This Week's Rounds Schedule -- use the Rounds link to join the discussion.

Virtual Coffeehouse
Tuesday, August 15, 9:30 pm ET
What hobbies are you exploring? Stop by and share!
This Week's Rounds Schedule -- use the Coffeehouse link to join the discussion.

How To Use VIN: Part 3
Wednesday, August 16, 9:30 pm ET
Learn how to use VIN. Email Nate@VIN.com for more information about this free, three-session course.

Recent Rounds



Abstract Of The Week:
Anticonvulsant activity and tolerance of ELB138 in dogs with epilepsy: A clinical pilot study

What's Your Diagnosis?
* Dentistry: What's Going On Here?
* Case Archives

Website Of The Week:
NIH Image Bank and more...

Book Review of the Week:
Veterinary Instruments and Equipment, A Pocket Guide
You may purchase this book in the VIN store.


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:
META Tag Settings 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: CVC Central.

From the Boards:
* Total Blood Volume
* Repairing A Recto-Vaginal Tear
* The Future Of The Teaching Hospitals
* Ronidazole Can Cause Neurotoxicity



Communication and Conflict Resolution Module 1 - Conflict Resolution and Communication
Does everything you say or express with your physical presence communicate what you want it to? Is conflict something you have to deal with in your professional or your personal life? VSPN CE has a new two-module series just for you to help you address these vital issues both professionally and personally.

The modules can be enrolled in together or separately (a special discount applies to those who enroll in Module 1 and Module 2 prior to the Module 1 enrollment cut off date-see below). The first module concentrates on professional relationships and communications including interaction with clientele; the second module focuses more on interpersonal communication and stress relief in your personal life.

Communication and Conflict Resolution modules are open to all VSPN and VIN members and we encourage anyone in the staff who has to deal with clients or co-workers to participate.

Instructor:
Heather Howell, LVT, MBA

Dates:
October 5-November 2, 2006
Real Time Sessions: Monday evenings, October 9, 16, and 23; 9:30pm to 11:00pm ET

CE Hours: 4.5

Tuition:
$79.00 ($71.00 early bird special if registered before September 21, 2006).
If registering for Module 1 & 2: $158.00 ($134 early bird special if registered by September 21, 2006, this price includes a 15% discount for early bird registrants of BOTH modules; $142 if registered after September 21, 2006, this price includes a 10% discount for regular registrants of BOTH modules).

To find out more about this course:
Visit the Communication and Conflict Resolution Module 1 page.

To register, scroll to the bottom of 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.

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