Terrorism, wars, AIDS, famines, West Nile Virus, and an uncertain economy would make it easy to feel pessimistic. Yet, here we are over 12,000 veterinary colleagues united in a common goal -- to do what we can for our patients, clients, colleagues, families, neighbors, and communities.

Thank you for being here with us. Thank you for making us feel that VIN, in some small way, helps you daily in your personal and professional lives. Thank you for being a part of our dream and for helping ensure that VIN continues to serve our primary mission of being - forever - For Veterinarians, By Veterinarians.

What's your take on Feline Aortic Thromboembolism (FATE)?
Take this week's survey and tell us. Plus - you'll get instant feedback about how your fellow VINners have responded.

The Thrill of Victory! The Agony of Defeat!
Ah, yes, we well remember test days in vet school. ;-) Want to relive those days? Check out this week's VIN Query and see how you do!

Uterine leiomyomas in two Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs (Sus scrofa)
This is the first detailed report of uterine leiomyomas in swine, and it is suggested that this diagnosis may become more common as more aging pigs are examined.

Changes in sex hormone receptors during administration of progesterone to prevent estrus in the bitch
These results clarify and reconcile some apparent contradictions in the literature. They show that sex hormone receptors in most cell types of the uterine wall, especially endometrial gland cells and stromal cells, escape progestin (down) regulation after prolonged exogenous administration of progesterone.

Outbreak of tularemia among commercially distributed prairie dogs, 2002
Tularemia has been identified recently as the cause of a die-off in captured wild prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) (Figure) at a commercial exotic animal distributor in Texas

A preliminary study on the effect of ultrasound therapy on the healing of surgically severed achilles tendons in five dogs
The use of the cortical screw provided good immobilization and ultrasound therapy at 0.5 W/cm2 enhanced the Achilles tendon healing in dogs.

Fentanyl Patch In HBC Pup; Ketamine CRIs Too
I keep reading about ketamine CRIs on VIN lately. Did I miss something? How is ketamine helpful in pain management? For all I've been able to tell, it's worthless for analgesia and I won't use it for anesthesia for that reason.

Hedgehog Enucleation
I am beginning to think that you could randomly take any piece of tissue from a hedgehog, send it in, and it would be malignant.

How Do You Say No To Payment Plans?
I finally realized every time i did a service and did not get paid it took physical time away from my children that i could be spending time with and money away from my children's college fund. Once i started looking at it like that it became more clear that while i feel for the animal this is a business and to stay in business i had to make money.

Mitral Insufficiencies of a GSD
Even if we assume the aortic regurgitation is only mild, I presume a rather large jet was probably seen on color flow Doppler. Is that true? If so, my general rule for that sort of situation is that there is infective endocarditis present until proven otherwise.

Virtual Coffeehouse
Tuesday, December 3, 9:30 pm ET
What interesting cases did you have today? Stop by and share!
Rounds Room

How To course, Part 1
Wednesday, December 4, 9:30 pm ET
Learn how to use your computer and VIN in part 1 of this FREE three part course. Email Nate@VIN.com to sign up.
PSST! Want to get a head start? Check out the How To Course tutorial.
Rounds Room

New Grad Rounds
Thursday, December 5, 10 pm ET
Join Dr. Adrian Kreeger and others for Family vs Career, Real World vs Student. Time for a little philosophy!
Rounds Room

Abstract of the Week:
Randomized Controlled Trial Of The Efficacy Of Cyclosporine In The Treatment Of Atopic Dermatitis In Dogs

Website of the Week:
The Tick Collection, and Duck Healthcare

Book Review:
BSAVA Manual Of Canine And Feline Behavioural Medicine

Survey of The Week Results:
Nasal Mites
Euthanasia Procedures

From the Boards:
* Elevated Heart Silhouette
* Wheezy Yorkie
* What Do You Monitor?
* Class Action Lawsuit

Strategies For Success -- we're doing it again!
What is practice success?

• Is it depositing wads of money every week?
• Is it working for grateful clients?
• Is it working with happy employees?

VIN's Strategies For Success courses will help you refine your definition of success while teaching you how to make your practice match that definition!

What could be better?
Here's what!
Sign up for all five courses (click on the banner on the CE registration form), and you'll save $75!

Positioning Your Practice Where It Needs To Be (10 CE Hours)
Using a case-based approach, participants will learn who their practice stakeholders are, examine external trends affecting their practice, explore strengths and weaknesses of their practice, create a new practice strategy, and devise an action plan to implement the strategy

Leading Your Practice To A New Level (10 CE Hours)
This course covers learning the essential skills of effective practice leaders, knowing which leadership pattern to employ, and bringing about constructive change.

Control The Dollars Flowing Through Your Practice (10 CE Hours)
This course covers the fundamentals of practice financial management

Client Attraction And Retention (10 CE Hours)
This course will cover identifying, differentiating, and interacting with clients; personalizing client service; creating client value; using traditional media to reach clients; involving the entire staff in practice marketing; using information technology to communicate with clients; and developing a marketing plan.

Maximizing Practice Performance Through Staff (10 CE hours)
This course will cover recruiting, hiring, motivating, and retaining employees; developing an employee policy manual; and creating conflict resolution procedures.