To learn more about Rx Vitamins For Pets, check out their folder in the Vet Industry Message Boards. (While you're in the Vet Industry message boards, check out the other fine companies who choose to host these Q & A folders.)

Too Busy to Attend Rounds?

Has life kept you too busy to attend the live Sunday Rounds?
Click the Rounds button on VIN's main nav bar, and you can read the transcripts of the last few Rounds - or click the Complete List Of Rounds Logs hyperlink to get to the list of the last 300 Rounds transcripts. (Rounds are also searchable via the SEARCH button. Just remember to choose Rounds as the "Source" in your search parameter.)

New on VIN

Accuracy of canine parturition date prediction using fetal measurements obtained by ultrasonography
Using stepwise logisitic regression, the most accurate prediction of parturition date was obtained when fetuses were measured at 30 days after the LH surge, regardless of body weight or LS. Parturition date predictions made after 39 days of gestation using only biparietal and BD fetal measurements were less than 50% accurate within +/- 2 days.

Teratogenic effects of chronic ingestion of high levels of vitamin A in cats
High concentrations of retinoids occur in some commercial cat food formulations as a result of the use of animal liver as an ingredient. This study demonstrated that a concentration of 306000 RE/kg diet has a potential for causing birth defects in the kittens.

Antibacterial activity of short hydrophobic and basic-rich peptides
In construction of potent antibacterial peptides, inclusion of arginine, lysine, tryptophan, or isoleucine residues enhances effectiveness against certain bacteria, as measured by MIC or MBC values.

Feline orthopoxvirus infection transmitted from cat to human
The case of a 56-year-old female patient who presented with an inflamed, ulcerated lesion on the left side of her neck after contact (scratch) with a cat living in the patient's house.

Preventing Eclampsia; Weight Gain In Pregnant Dog
Do you have any idea what the pup/fluid/uterus weight might be in a dog that usually should weigh 68 pounds? Is there some sort of table, like what they told me when I was pregnant?

Disturbing Euthanasia With Domitor On Board
I have stopped using Domitor pre-euthanasia. It just seems like the drug takes forever to get to the brain. There is more excitement (that's when a minute feels like an hour), and way more agonal gasping than with an unsedated dog.

Having A Meeting To Discuss Personal/Team Goals
I would like to have a group staff meeting where we discuss each person's individual goals and tangible ways to obtain them. Is this appropriate to do in a group setting?

Regulating This Difficult Diabetic
That's an interesting curve, in that the lowest value came before the insulin and food were given. That usually means that the insulin is lasting a very long time and that overnight he may be going too low, while in the daytime he's too high all day. This would be one of those unusual cases where it'd be good to see a 24 hour curve ...

How to Course: Part 2

Wednesday, December 10, 9:30 pm ET -
Learn how to use VIN's Message Boards Email Nate@VIN.com for more information about this free three-part course.
Rounds Room

Sunday Rounds

Sunday, December 14, 10 pm ET -
Join Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP, for Highlights Of The Annual Dental Forum.
Rounds Room

Recent Rounds
* Chemistry Pitfalls
* Puzzled About FIP?
* Neighborhood Demographics And Client Fees
* Applying For An Internship Or Residency?
* ECVIM 2003 - Cardiology Updates
* Hypercalcemia

Abstract Of The Week:
Concentrations of Doxycycline in Budgerigars Fed Medicated Seed or Water

Website Of The Week:
Canine Cancer Conference

Book Review:
Diagnosis And Management Of Lameness In The Horse
This book is available in the VINstore.

eVetSite Systems Tip Of The Week:
Create Custom Client Forms

VINner Survey Results:
* Veterinary Support Staff
* Client Sympathy Response
* Grape/Raisin
* Consumer Reports
* ACE Inhibitor Use in Dogs
* Imaging & Telemedicine
* Nasal Mites
* Euthanasia Procedures
* FATE
* Veterinary Career Survey, Part 1

From the Boards:
* Anesthesia Myths And Misconceptions
* Cortrosyn Price Drop
* Beak Fracture
* Vaccinate A CLL Dog?

Purrfect Tests: Diagnostics for Feline Viral Pathogens

• are you confused about which tests will give you the most bang-for-your-buck?
• do you feel lost when interpreting the results you get??
• do you think you might as well just flip a coin as spend money on a test???

VIN CE can help!

Purrfect Tests: Diagnostics for Feline Viral Pathogens will teach you the advantages and disadvantages of the current tests for those pesky feline viral infections (FeLV, FIV, FIP, Calicivirus, Herpesvirus, and Parvovirus).

Instructor: Melissa A. Kennedy, DVM, PhD, DACVM

Dates: February 25th - March 10th, 2004
Realtime Sessions: Wednesday evenings; (February 25th & March 3rd) 9:30pm - 11:00pm ET

Course Description: This 2-week course will describe basic techniques for diagnosis of viral diseases. This will be followed by specific discussion of diagnostics for the major feline viral pathogens - Feline Herpesvirus, Feline Calicivirus, Parvovirus, FIV, FeLV and FIP.

The participants will learn:

• Diagnostic techniques and their advantages and disadvantages
• The most appropriate assays for diagnosis of feline viral infections.

Message Board Discussions:
Discussions will begin on the start date of the course and will continue for 7 days following the real time session.

CE Hours: 4 CE Credits

Tuition:
Member: $58, Non-Member: $101 before Feb. 11, 2004;
Member: $64, Non-Member: $112 after Feb. 11, 2004.

To Register: Visit the course information page for more details and click on the Enroll now link.
(This course is open for enrollment to veterinary technicians.)