VIN.com got a face lift! www.vin.com (the public side of VIN) underwent a face lift and the community feedback was very favorable.

The VIN servers received major upgrades: The VIN servers were updated this year and we truly appreciate all of the community’s patience during the transition.

The VIN Library grew with new content as well as updating some very familiar information. The VIN Medical FAQ's , previously found in the VIN message board About This Folder pages have been compiled in the library. The VIN community's very own Jan Bellows, Dipl. AVDC, Dipl. ABVP added the newest version of the Smile Book IV. The fifth edition of Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook was updated – search or browse for drug information at your leisure. The VIN community participated in many surveys this year that can be found in the VIN Library. New veterinary conference proceedings were added to the VIN Library, including community favorites like WVC, ACVIM and IVECCS, to mention a few.

Great courses were presented from the Continual Education department and VIN Rounds this year. Two FREE CE courses were offered this year; most recently Problems in Diabetic Therapy: When Managing Sugar Diabetes Is Not So Sweet. The VIN/AAFP rounds collaboration Rounds produced wonderful information, as well as the continued relationship with the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. Find transcripts for all this year's great Rounds discussions on the Rounds page.

VIN member benefits continue to be upgraded and improved. eVetSite Systems, a VIN partner company, makes it easy for VINners and their staff to create a custom veterinary hospital website. The VIN Bookstore offers textbooks and other information resources. VIN members save 10% or more off the list price every day. The VIN Bookstore provides free shipping (within the continental USA) on orders over $90.00. Veterinarypartner.com: This information packed site, open to your clients, helps you educate your clients via a trustworthy online resource.

Stronger than ever. The VIN community grew from more than 21,000 to 26,000 colleagues in practice, academia, and industry. The VIN family of consultants grew from approximately 120 to 140 of the most enthusiastic and giving colleagues in the world.

Thank YOU for being a part of the VIN community in 2005. We wish you and yours all the best for 2006.

Avian Influenza: An Emerging Feline Threat?
If you suspect avian influenza in any species, contact the Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University for testing information. Report cases of avian influenza to local or state public health departments or the county veterinarian. Although guidelines for handling infected pets have not been established, human infection-control precautions recommended by the CDC can be adapted for use in companion animals. Use stringent hygienic care (including using gloves, gowns, and masks) when handling potentially infected animals, and maintain these animals under isolation conditions until testing is completed or for 14 days after the onset of clinical signs.

A Comparative Study of Two Antimicrobial / Anti-Inflammatory Formulations in the Treatment of Canine Otitis Externa

There was a trend for marbofloxacin-clotrimazole-dexamethasone otic suspension (MCD) to have a better cure rate and a lower resistance risk than the Surolan treatment.

Reliability of Using Reagent Test Strips to Estimate Blood Urea Nitrogen Concentration in Dogs and Cats
On the basis of BUN concentration, 40 of the 174 (23%) animals (20 dogs and 20 cats) were classified as azotemic. One dog and 2 cats had false-negative test strip results, and 1 dog had a false-positive result. Sensitivity and specificity were 95% (20/21) and 99% (94/95), respectively, for dogs and 87% (13/15) and 100% (43/43), respectively, for cats.

Comparison of the Calving-to-Conception Interval in Dairy Cows with Different Degrees of Lameness During the Prebreeding Postpartum Period

Among lame cows, the median time to conception was 66 days longer in cows with high cumulative locomotion scores than in cows with low scores.

Diagnosis Of Chronic Pancreatitis/Cholangiohepatitis In Diabetic Cat Requires Biopsies -- Can't Be Determined By Ultrasound Alone

With all due respect to my radiologist colleagues, these are histologic, not ultrasonographic diagnoses -- particularly cholangiohepatitis. The pancreas may appear abnormal, as may the hepatic parenchyma, but you cannot make these diagnoses on ultrasonographic basis alone.

Chorioptic Mange In A Dog?
I have a very strange case and wonder if anyone could shed some light on it. Is it possible for a dog to have dermatitis caused by chorioptic mange?

Symphyseal Instability: Do The Incisors Need Extraction?
She did take Chloe to a surgeon (not dentist) who said this was common in toy breeds because the central 2 incisors don't allow the symphysis to form and they needed to be extracted. Didn't make sense to me. Any validity to this?

When To Start Hyperthyroid Cats on Blood Pressure Meds?
The time it takes for the median cat to have T4 values return to normal after starting Tapazole is about 5 days, so I don't see a large benefit from a beta blocker during this period.

Sunday Rounds
Sunday, January 1 - NO ROUNDS
Many of you will be ringing in the New Year. Enjoy some time with your offline friends and family.

Recent Rounds

• You Cannot Cost Cut Your Way to Prosperity
• Wading Into Acupuncture
• Cytauxzoan Felis (AAFP)
• How Should I Treat Periodontal Disease?
• Feline Stress & Inflammatory Disease (AAFP)
• NCVEI Benchmark Tools
• Exotic Animal Journal Club
• Pain Management

Abstract Of The Week:
Peritoneal Dialysis in the Management of Acute Renal Failure in Leptospirosis

What's Your Diagnosis?
* Hypothermic Pup Crashing
* Monthly Veterinary Challenge
* Case Archives

Website Of The Week:
Chronic Kidney Disease And The Role Of Phosphorus Binders and more...

Book Review of the Week:
Quick Look Series - Veterinary Histology
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
* How Can I ... Learn Associate?

eVetsites Tip of the Week:
Organize Your Holiday Images

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: NAVC, WVC and SAVMA.

From the Boards:
* Are MLV Vaccines Contraindicated In Pets Owned By Immunocompromised People?
* 57 Hour Shifts?
* Linear Corneal Ulcers
* Fake Tamiflu

ACTION Program for Overweight Pets
Enroll by January 2 for the Early Bird rate!

The course will review patient (pet) assessment for weight and body condition score, feeding history, calculations of RER and DER, sources for calorie content of common pet foods, and recommendations for weight management or loss for the canine and feline. Using the basic information, the second session will provide a model protocol for coaching and monitoring the overweight pet.

The course is directed to veterinary technicians and practice nutritional counselors. However, veterinary support staff including receptionists and assistants who may have responsibilities in pet owner education are also encouraged to participate.

Instructor:
Geneva Keene Acor, DVM, MS

Dates:
January 30 - February 20, 2006
Real-time Sessions: Friday evenings, February 3 and 10; 9:00pm - 10:30pm ET (USA)

CE Hours: 3

Tuition:
$48 if registered by January 2, 2006
$53 if registered after January 2, 2006.
** NOTE: REGISTRATION CLOSES January 16, 2006 (or earlier if the maximum participant number is reached) so that we may mail course materials to you prior to the first real time session. Course materials are provided FREE by Hill'sTM Pet Nutrition, Inc.

To register:
Visit the ACTION program for Overweight Pets page and click on the Enroll Now link.

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Understanding Lasers and Other Bright Ideas
Now open for enrollment!

For veterinarians: A comprehensive discussion of surgical laser systems, laser surgical techniques, and how variations in laser selection and parameters will influence laser tissue interaction and patient outcome. Laser safety issues will also be covered. This presentation will provide the practitioner with the basic information needed to evaluate the suitability of a laser system, and the basic knowledge required of a laser surgeon.

Instructors:
George M. Peavy, DVM, DABVP
Barbara R. Gores, DVM, DACVS

Dates:
January 29 - February 5, 2006
Real-time session: Sunday, January 29; 9:30 - 11:30 pm ET (US)

CE Hours: 2

Tuition:
Member/$52, Non-Member/$96 by January 15, 2006;
Member/$55, Non-Member/$104 after January 15, 2006;
Veterinary students may enroll at a reduced rate of $20 for this course.

To register:
Visit the Understanding Lasers page and click on the Enroll Now link.