If you use MyStuff, we need your help testing the new, easier to manage and organize interface with Drag and Drop.

Find the New MyStuff by going to your current MyStuff and clicking the button at the top left (below your name) that says: "Try the new MyStuff". Hint: to move links and folders, drag and drop them; to copy hold the control key while dragging if you use a PC -- Mac users hold the OPTION key while dragging to COPY).

Then tell your fellow VINers and VIN's programmers what you think about the new look and feel. Help us make it better -- for you!

MyStuff - Your Online Filing Cabinet!
We've all been there... after a bit of tinkering, your VIN Database Search produced just what you wanted to know now -- and likely will want to know, again, in the future.

Keep your results at your fingertips -- when you search the VIN database, you'll notice the "Add to MyStuff" link associated with each search result. If you look at the top of your search result list, you'll notice the "Add Search Results to MyStuff" link that lets you save the entire list of search results.

Are you a power VINner who refines your searches by selecting (clicking the check boxes) the best of the best from your Search results and displaying them as a custom Search result (Display Checked)? You too can stash your gold by choosing "Add Checked Results to MyStuff".

Almost every information-packed page on VIN is MyStuff enabled - just click the RED HEART on the page or choose Save to MyStuff and you are on your way.

• Do a Search; save the results.
• Want to go back later and review something you found browsing the Library? Store the link in MyStuff.
• Find a favorite page in Associate; save the link.
• Create your own categories and subcategories to help you stay organized.

You are not limited to VIN Content! ANY internet page can be stored and categorized within MyStuff.

Imagine the power of having all of your favorite links available to you on any computer you use -- home or office or even on a friend's computer.

MyStuff is easy to use. For external links, just copy and paste the URL for the page you want to save. To retrieve your MyStuff, click "MyVIN" on the VIN navigation bar - your MyStuff is there waiting for you from any computer, anywhere in the world.

Food for Thought
Pet Food & Nutrition: A Necessary Review For Veterinarians by M.E. Smart, C. Haggart, J.A. Mills. --- a review of the current status of the pet food industry from a veterinarian's perspective. The authors discuss market features, regulation and non-regulation, the value of information currently provided to veterinarians and their clients and some of its consequences.

New in VeterinaryPartner:

• Toy Breed Hypoglycemia revised
• Glomerulonephritis revised
• Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)

Texas Farm Radio:

• Shoeing for Palmar Foot Pain 1/29/07

Canine pericardial effusion: diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis
Pericardiocentesis is indicated for the emergency treatment of pericardial tamponade. Pericardiectomy may improve survival in some dogs. The prognosis varies greatly, depending on the underlying cause.

Partially absorbable meshes for hernia repair offer advantages over nonabsorbable meshes
At 90 days, the absorbable filaments of Vypro II had been completely reabsorbed, whereas Ultrapro only showed signs of biodegradation in a few zones. Host tissue infiltration and collagen I deposition in the 3 reticular meshes was optimal. Macrophage counts, mesh shrinkage, and biomechanical resistance values were similar.

Infection due to 3 avian influenza subtypes in United States veterinarians
Using multivariable logistic regression modeling, veterinarians exposed to birds demonstrated statistically significant elevated titers against the H5, H6, and H7 avian influenza virus isolates, compared with control subjects. These data suggest that occupational exposure to avian species may increase veterinarians' risk of avian influenza virus infection. Veterinarians should be considered for priority access to vaccines and antiviral drugs in pandemic planning.

Unilateral nephrectomy in two aged horses
This is the first paper documenting long-term evaluation of renal function after unilateral nephrectomy through serial serum biochemistry panels, haematology, and urinalyses.

What to do if client writes paid in full on check, but check is not for full amount?
A check is a contract just like any other. It is a contract that states their bank will pay yours under the conditions specified. By signing it you agree to their conditions. Depositing a check with such writing is a voluntary act that would indicate you agree to their paid in full statement, and if the client claims to have had some kind of verbal agreement worked out with you, they could use that phrase to back it up.

The importance of cross matching for transfusions
There is much to still be learned about canine blood types, and we unfortunately do not always have the history of the animal. Cross matches will pick up incompatibility, and when both minor and major are done, they add valuable information. Many dogs are also typed just for DEA 1; either positive or negative, there are other types present. DEA 1X also occurs and won't always be picked up by card tests. There has been some work done that shows that it takes very few DEA 1.1 positive cells to sensitize a DEA 1.1 negative dog. I err on the side of caution and always give type specific plasma.

Too young to retire, but ...
I am in my early 60s and had no plan to retire yet. I have my own small animal practice (debt-free) in an area saturated with veterinarians. My practice is one of those low-grossing practices. My clinic has recently developed major structural problems that would cost way more to fix than the value of the building. The cost of a new facility for a low grossing practice makes no financial sense. I do not want to invest $$$ in a shopping center site finish-out at my age. I have lots of equipment and do lots of CE. The location of my commercial property is poor. I love practice and being my own boss, yet logically I know I could work less and earn more elsewhere in my state.

Telephone system suggestions
How many phone lines does a practice need? What kind of phone system do some of you have? What was the cost? Are you happy with it?

EBM Journal Club
Tuesday, October 16, 10 pm EDT (October 17, 02:00 am GMT)
Join your colleagues for the next meeting of the Evidence Based Medicine Journal Club.
Review the transcript from the last session
Attend the EBM Journal Club

How to Use VIN: Part 3
Wednesday, October 17, 9:30 pm EDT (October 18, 01:30 am GMT)
Learn how to use VIN.
Email Nate@VIN.com for more information about this free, three-session course.
Use the Rounds link to join the discussion.
This Week's Rounds Schedule

Sunday Rounds
Sunday, October 21, 9 pm EDT (October 22, 01:00 am GMT)
Join us for a special session during National Veterinary Technician Week: What You Need To Know About Legislation And Veterinary Technicians.
This session is open to both VIN and VSPN members.
Invite your staff to attend. They'll simply need to register for a free VSPN membership.
VINners: Use the Rounds link to join the discussion.
VSPNners: Use the link on the VSPN Main page.
This Week's Rounds Schedule

Recent Rounds
@ = VINcast is available for this session

Member Benefit:
Vetquest Classifieds are very popular and very effective. It is do-it-yourself posting and searching for positions, associates, equipment, events and more. This is a FREE service provided by VIN and VETQUEST.

What's Your Diagnosis?
* Dermatology Fun 9
* Case Archives

Associate - Updated and New:
* Patellar Luxations
* Explore the rest of the Associate!

Website Of The Week:
National Veterinary Technician Week, and more...

Get More From VIN!
"How to Use VIN" resources:
The three-part "How To Use VIN" course can be taken live (on the first three Wednesday nights of each month), or you can do it as self study.

If you'd like to take the live sessions, email Nate at Nate@VIN.com, and tell him you'd like to sign up for the How To Course.

To keep up with VIN's growth, take the time to explore the Front Page at least once a week, read the VIN This Week (VINTW) newsletter twice a week, explore the VINDEX (VIN's Front Page, right hand column), and click all the buttons on VIN's navigation bars.

eVetsites Tip of the Week:
Copy Forms Pages for Quicker Site Work

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: ACVS, VDF and CVC West.

Book Review of the Week:
A Guide to Basic Health and Disease in Birds: Their Management, Care, and Well-Being

These courses are currently open for enrollment. Click on the links to see the details and enroll!
For More Information on VIN's Upcoming CE Courses, check out the CE Main Page.

October:

Exotic and Emerging Animal Diseases: Remembering the Zebras
October 3 - November 14, 2007

Veterinary Dental Techniques Module 2
Radiology and Periodontics
October 9 - November 6, 2007

Equine Neonatology
October 14 - November 11, 2007

The Veterinarian's Role in Handling Animal Abuse Cases
October 30 - December 11

What Makes Cats Tick? Feline Internal Medicine Module 5
Therapeutics, Dental Dilemmas, Analgesia and Anesthesia
October 31 - December 12, 2007

November:

Basic Equine Reproductive Ultrasonography
November 4 - December 2, 2007

Introduction to Canine Rehabilitation
November 5 - November 19, 2007

Veterinary Dental Techniques Module 3
Advanced Periodontics and Exodontics
November 6 - December 4, 2007

Immobilization of Exotic Hoofstock
November 14 - December 5, 2007

December:

Advanced Equine Reproductive Ultrasonography
December 2, 2007 - January 27, 2008

Please visit the How-to's of Online CE for more information about how online CE courses work.

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 are also open to VPSN members.