Check out all the great resources we've compiled for students (and students at heart) in the VIN Student Center. You will find a link in the VINDEX on the Front Page and in VIN's Library.

Join VIN! It's FREE* for veterinary university students, interns, residents, faculty and staff.
*(if using an edu account)

As you likely know, the VIN Member Area contains no advertising. VIN, VIN CE, and the VIN community are provided for veterinarians, by veterinarians. To ensure that VIN remains this way (for veterinarians, by veterinarians), VIN's income is primarily (over 98%) provided by the VIN membership. This ensures our independence of thought and action.

In keeping with this philosophy, in 1995, WALTHAM (what you know today as ROYAL CANIN®) approached VIN to offer a grant to help support the VIN Student/Academic program. True to their word, and a true statement about what kind of people they are, this has come, as promised, without any strings attached.

This year, the VIN community and ROYAL CANIN® would like to welcome NOVARTIS, who have similarly (no strings attached) offered to help support FREE student/academic access to VIN.

This is why you will see us say that....The VIN student program is funded in part by grants from ROYAL CANIN® and NOVARTIS. Please take a moment to say thank you to ThankYouRoyalCanin@vin.com and ThankYouNovartis@vin.com

Updated Function: Post New
There are two ways to start new discussions: from the main Message Boards page and from within a folder.

Previously, when you posted a new message from the main Message Boards page, you remained on the main Message Boards page. This was often confusing if you wanted to add replies to your new post (for example, if you were adding several radiographs.)

Now, when you post from the main Message Boards page, you will be taken to the folder into which you posted. Just click your thread in the left column, and use the Reply button to add the next picture. Enjoy!

New VIN Content:
New Clinical Trial Added:

• Research on Acute Renal Failure in Dogs Associated with Ingestion of Grapes or Raisins

New Dermatology Handout from our Dr. Foil:

• House Dust Mites & Allergy

New Articles On VeterinaryPartner.com:

• Cold Nose, Warm Heart
• Man-Trailing Bloodhounds
• Loratidine (Claritin)
• Cat Neuter Slideshow
• Snake Bites: Prevention and Treatment

Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin Aqueous Humor Concentrations After Topical Administration in Dogs Undergoing Cataract Surgery
Ofloxacin has higher corneal penetration and ability to exceed MIC90 of common ocular contaminants than ciprofloxacin, and would be a more appropriate prophylactic choice for canine cataract patients

Evaluation of Ameroid Ring Constrictors for Treatment for Single Extrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts in Dogs: 168 Cases (1995-2001)
Predictive factors for excellent long-term clinical outcome included high preoperative plasma albumin concentration, low preoperative leukocytosis, low portal pressure after complete occlusion, absence of postoperative seizures, and absence of continued shunting.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Disinfectant Footbaths As Used in Veterinary Hospitals
In this prospective study two disinfectant solutions (quaternary ammonium compound [QAC] or a peroxygen compound) were evaluated for efficacy. Results: Mean bacterial concentrations from peroxygen-treated boots were 67% to 78% lower, compared with samples taken from untreated boots. In contrast, there were no statistically detectable differences in mean bacterial concentrations in samples taken from QAC- or water-treated boots, compared with control boots.

Effect of Vaccination Against Leptospirosis on the Frequency, Days to Recurrence and Progression of Disease in Horses with Equine Recurrent Uveitis
Vaccine significantly increased days to recurrence, but failed to slow the progression of disease.

What Do You Do If Clients Refuse To Vaccinate?
I have more than a few clients who will not allow me to vaccinate their pets. Our policy states that any pet getting hospitalized, boarded, or groomed be current on vaccines. What would you guys do?

Charges For Euthanasia: When To Request Payment
We have them pay at the time. Usually the receptionist shows them into a room, goes over body care options, and gets payment. Sometimes I talk to the client and the receptionist comes into the room to get payment while we are getting the catheter in.

Alopecia At Site Of Rabies Vaccination
Sounds like a vasculitis. It's common in the little breeds. You can try pentoxifylline, if early on.

Horner's Lesion In A Collie: Testing For Post-Ganglionic Vs. Central Horner's With Phenylephrine, Treatment With Antibiotics And Prednisone
The question is whether it is Horner's and that can be answered by placing a drop of 10% phenylephrine in each eye to see if the symptoms resolve in OD and, if they do resolve, does the right pupil dilate to a greater extent and faster than the left pupil. If that happens, it supports a postganglionic Horner's. If the 3rd eyelid goes down, but the pupil remains smaller than in OS, it would indicate a pre-ganglionic or central Horner's.

AAFP Rounds
Sunday, August 28, 8 pm ET
Join Dr. Tina Wismer of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for Top Feline Toxicities.
To attend, go to the AAFP Rounds page, and click the Classroom link.
All VINners welcome!

Practice Management Rounds
Sunday, August 28, 10 pm ET
Join Ed Guiducci, JD, for Due Diligence: Investigate That Practice Before You Buy.
This Week's Rounds Schedule -- use the Rounds link to join the discussion.

Recent Rounds

• Independent Contractor vs. Employee Status
• Grape And Raisin Toxicosis
• New Anticonvulsant Therapy
• Periodontal Disease
• Puppy Vaginitis
• Practical Blood Transfusions

Abstract Of The Week:
Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia in Three Related Quarter Horses

What's Your Diagnosis?
* Recurrent Hypoglycemia
* Case Archives

Website Of The Week:
Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis and more ...

Book Review of the Week:
Self-Assessment Colour Review of Feline Medicine
You can find it in the VIN Bookstore.

Get More From VIN!
* Steps To A More Effective Search
* Read The "How To Use VIN" Tutorial

eVetsites Tip of the Week:
Banners, Buttons and Animated GIFs

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, ECVIM, & IVECCS.

From the Boards:
* Hereditary Star-Gazing?
* Timely Medical Charting
* Spiny Iguana Population Control In The News
* Pruritic Rabbit

Exotic and Emerging Animal Diseases - Remembering the Zebras
Concerned about West Nile virus and the countless other deadly emerging diseases?

Our annual Exotic and Emerging Animal Diseases CE course will provide a vast store of current knowledge on these exotic and emerging diseases. Get the best deal by enrolling by the Early Bird date - August 25!

Increased international movement of people and animals and the current geopolitical climate make incursions of exotic diseases more likely than ever before. The local practicing veterinarian has an important role as the first line of defense, to rapidly recognize the clinical signs of these diseases as they emerge in the region and to treat local patients.

This course will discuss foot and mouth disease, West Nile virus, vesicular stomatitis, bluetongue, Rift Valley fever, classical swine fever, African horse sickness, highly pathogenic avian influenza, (Exotic) Newcastle disease and MANY MORE! Work through detailed interactive scenarios that guide you through diagnosis.

Instructor:
Steve Sorden, DVM, PhD, DACVP; Iowa State University

Dates:
September 8 - October 20, 2005
Real-time sessions: Thursdays, Sept 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 13; 9:00-11:00 PM ET

CE Hours: 6

Tuition:
Member/$92, Non-Member/$146 by August 25, 2005;
Member/$102, Non-Member/$162 after August 25, 2005
VIN CE course. Registration also open to VSPN members.
* This course is only RACE approved for Veterinarians

To Register:
Click on the appropriate link below and then click on the Enroll now link.

• Veterinarians
• Veterinary Staff

Looking for more CE?
Scheduled VIN CE courses include:

• ABVP Module C
• Veterinary Cytology & Fluid Analysis
• Feline House Soiling
• Fungal Disease