• Western Veterinary Conference 2004
• American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2004
• Australian College of Veterinary Scientists 2004

Welcome Back Students!
It's back to school time! Check out all the great resources we've compiled for students (and students at heart) in the VIN Student Center. The Student Center is made possible through an educational grant from WALTHAM(R) USA. Please take a minute to thank WALTHAM(R) USA for their support by sending them an e-mail at: thankyouwaltham@vin.com.

Be a Mentor!
Have you ever wanted to mentor a vet student? VIN can help! Use VINDEX (Front Page, right column) to sign up to share your real life experiences with a veterinary student through our Adopt a Vet program!

Evaluation of the induction and recovery characteristics of anesthesia with desflurane in cats
Desflurane was associated with rapid induction of and recovery from anesthesia in cats; assessors rated the overall quality of induction and recovery as excellent. Results appear to support the use of desflurane for induction and maintenance of anesthesia in healthy cats

Pharmacokinetics of zidovudine in cats
Cats had slower clearance of zidovudine, compared with other species. Plasma concentrations of zidovudine were maintained above the minimum effective concentration for inhibiting FIV replication by 50% for wild-type FIV clinical isolate) for at least 12 hours after i.v., i.g., or p.o. administration.

Evaluation of the tensile strengths of four monofilament absorbable suture materials after immersion in canine urine with or without bacteria
Tensile strength of poliglecaprone 25 in urine may be unacceptable by the critical healing time for bladder tissue (14 to 21 days). During bladder surgery, exposure of suture material that degrades via hydrolysis to urine containing Proteus spp should be minimized.

The immunopathogenesis of flea allergy dermatitis in dogs, an experimental study
Clinical signs developed in all flea exposed dogs, however, the dermatology lesion scores were less and shorter in duration for continuously exposed dogs compared to episodic exposed dogs

Favorite VIN Quotes
What is your favorite VIN quote?

Hearing-Imparied Vet Is Having a Hard Time Finding a Job
What would it take to get you to consider hiring a deaf person as an associate? What would it take for a deaf veterinarian or technician to prove to you that they can work the rooms? What more can I be doing to try to get potential employers to give me a chance?

When to Express Anal Sacs?
I've just started working at a clinic where "protocol" includes expressing anal gland sacs that appear enlarged....I previously never expressed unless I felt it would alleviate [clinical] signs. Where do VIN users stand on this issue?

Start Atopica in a Young Dog? Diagnostic Plan For Dog With Pododermatitis, Pyoderma, Ulilateral Alopecia
The safest approach to allergy as we understand it today is to take a holistic approach. By this I do not mean holistic medicine, I mean look at the whole dog and its lifestyle and its owners and try to come up with the best and safest solution for long-term care. For the dog that will respond to ASIT, right now, we think of that as the safest long-term care. For the dog that does not respond so well, it is great to have another drug in our armamentarium to provide relief. Caution and concern is warranted any time we undertake a life-time of drug tx.

Virtual Coffeehouse
Tuesday, September 21, 9:30 pm ET -
Have you seen any weird cases lately? Stop by and share!
This Week's Rounds Schedule -- use the special Coffeehouse link to join the discussion

Sunday Rounds
Sunday, September 26, 10 pm ET -
Join Tom Catanzaro for The National Pet Wellness Month Media Blitz Is Coming!
This Week's Rounds Schedule -- use the link in the Rounds Schedule to join the discussion

Recent Rounds

Abstract Of The Week:
Evaluation Of Owner Education As Part Of Obesity Treatment Programs

What's Your Diagnosis?
> Dental Brain-Teaser
> Case Archives

Website Of The Week:
Exotic Clinical Pathology and more...

Book Review:
Introduction To Veterinary Genetics, Second Edition
This resource is available in the VINstore.

eVetsites Tip of the Week:
Start Your Own e-Pharmacy

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: SWVS, VDF, ACVS, WWVC, ACVC, and AAFP

From the Boards:
* Cesarean And Calf Survival
* Burmese Genetic Problems
* Lentigo Simplex Genetics
* Simplicef

Ferret Medicine
The ferret is an exotic pet that is becoming increasingly popular among pet owners. Ferret cases can be frustrating and difficult to resolve. Are you prepared to treat a case of ferret adrenal disease or insulinoma? Make sure you are prepared to offer clients your expertise on this unique pet.

Ferret Medicine

Course Description:
Familiarize veterinary practitioners and technicians with basic and intermediate level medicine and surgery of the domestic ferret. Topics to be included include biology, husbandry, clinical techniques, anesthesia, surgical considerations, adrenal disease, insulinoma, oncology, gastrointestinal diseases, and cardiorespiratory diseases.

Instructors:
Geoff Pye, BVSc, MSc, DACZM;
Natalie Antinoff, DVM, DABVP - Avian;
Matthew Johnston, VMD, DABVP - Avian

Dates: October 14 - November 25, 2004
Interactive sessions: Thursdays; 9:30- 11:30 PM ET

CE Hours: 12

Tuition:
Member/$173, Non-Member/$250 before September 27, 2004;
Member/$192, Non-Member/$278 after September 27, 2004;
VSPN Okay

To learn more about this course, the requirements for the certificate course, and to enroll visit the Ferret Medicine course page.