Abstract
ESFM
Feline ER and the Adriatic - a sparkling combination
The combination of practical advice on feline emergency care supplied by world class speakers, twinned with the sparkling Adriatic setting, proved a highly successful recipe for the ESFM Congress, which was held in Dubrovnik, Croatia, from June 19–21.
For the 419 delegates, from no fewer than 26 countries, who joined us, here are a few mementos of a memorable few days. For anyone who didn't, they're a taste of what you missed-just make sure you can join us next year instead!
Feedback from delegates is currently being collected and collated (thank you to all who have contributed), and will be used to help plan and tailor future congresses. The vibes so far have been generally very positive. Ninety-one percent of responses received have rated the overall scientific content as good, very good or excellent; and 80% have rated the conference as providing very good or excellent value for money.
On camera in Croatia
A full and varied ER programme kept delegates in their seats, despite the attractions of the hotel facilities and setting. Keynote speaker, Tim Hackett, Head of the Critical Care Unit at Colorado State University, was the busiest of 10 eminent speakers, delivering seven sessions over the three days
Coffee breaks and Iunchtimes provided an opportunity to mingle, catch some rays and take in the views from the terraces of the Hotel Croatia, which nestles into the coastline. The stunning panorama in the background to this collection of pictures was one such view!
Early copies of the July 2009 ‘clinical practice’ issue of JFMS, featuring a comprehensive synopsis of the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD) guidelines on 10 major infectious diseases in cats, were eagerly snapped up by delegates. (left) Launching the guidelines at a ceremony during the congress, the ABCD chairman, Marian Horzinek, described them as a ‘milestone achievement’
The ESFM Congress lived up to its friendly reputation with a programme of enjoyable social events. It kicked off with a welcome barbeque, hosted by Merial, on the water's edge by the hotel
Enthusiasm and imagination were in abundance at the ‘aqua’ theme party on the Saturday night, with Callum Blair, of Virbac, aka ‘Neptune’, winning the prize for ‘best dressed’. The grand finale to the evening was a magnificent lightning display and a great deal of ‘aqua’ falling from the sky — luckily party-goers were safely in the dry by then!
Sailing into Dubrovnik. Delegates made the most of their free Saturday afternoon to explore the ancient walled city-aptly known as the ‘jewel of the Adriatic’. Many delegates had chosen to extend their stay to enjoy more of Croatia
Delegates had travelled from as far afield as the USA, Japan and South Africa. Among them were special guests from the AAFP, Donna Manley (left) and Ilona Rodan (right). The congress provided an opportunity for the ESFM and AAFP to discuss ongoing projects and future collaborations
Cats of various shapes, sizes and colours could be enjoyed at the congress. (clockwise from above): a scene from Merial's pre-congress interactive forum on ‘the vaccination interview’; pawprints on the floor, courtesy of Merial, led the way to the lecture hall; adornments on the Bayer stand in the exhibiton hall. Bayer and Merial were two of the congress sponsors -the others being Hill's, Boehringer Ingelheim and Intervet Schering-Plough
Pleasingly, this is reflected in many of the individual comments on the feedback forms, such as:
‘Relevant. Highly organised. Fantastic speakers and valuable useful general practice tips and strategies. Great venue!’
‘Speakers were very realistic about primary practice realities and financial restrictions.’
‘Great multinational feel. Great way to meet vets from other countries and discuss feline medicine.’
‘I have never been on a “work holiday” and enjoyed it very much!’
Where next?
Amsterdam is our congress location for 2010. We asked delegates for their preferences for 2011 and beyond -and Vienna, Athens, Portugal and Budapest are looking firm favourites. No final decisions yet … watch this space!
Date for your diary
Awards
Excellence in feline research award
The Winn Feline Foundation (www.winnfelinehealth.org), an international charity devoted to the advancement of feline health, has established a new feline research award as part of its efforts to improve the lives of ‘Every Cat, Every Day’.
The first recipient is Dr Michael Lappin, Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine at Colorado State University, who was presented with his award in July at the annual convention of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), held in Seattle.
The Winn Excellence in Feline Research Award is accompanied by a $2,500 cash award. It is paired with a matching scholarship award by the AVMF for a veterinary student interested in feline medicine. This year's recipient is Julia Mulvaney, a fall 2009 sophomore at the Oregon State College of Veterinary Medicine. The two awards are designed to promote and encourage feline health studies by both established veterinary research scientists and by those entering this field of study.
Michael Lappin, pictured with Beth Sabin, of the American Veterinary Medical Association's Education and Research Division. Dr Lappin's principal areas of interest are prevention of infectious diseases, vaccine-associated adverse effects, upper respiratory disease complex, infectious causes of fever and diarrhea, and zoonotic diseases of cats
Richard Irvine (left), Veterinary Advisor for Vétoquinol, manufacturer of Clavaseptin, receives the Feline Advisory Bureau Easy to Give Award 2009 from FAB Chief Executive, Claire Bessant, and FAB Chairman and European Editor of JFMS, Andy Sparkes. The award was presented during the ESFM Congress in Dubrovnik. The FAB feline expert panel nominated Clavaseptin for the award because it is a highly palatable formulation of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid that cats can chew. Since 2005, FAB has annually awarded drug companies for products that are easier to give to cats, making life better for vets, owners and feline patients alike. Companies can display the FAB ‘Easy to Give’ logo when advertising these products -which to date number 18 in total
JFMS online access links
New ‘account activation’ and ‘login’ tutorials are now available at www.catvets.com/members/ publications to assist AAFP members in logging into JFMS online. ESFM members can find instructions at www.fabcats.org/esfm.
London Vet Show
A two-day event, supported by the ESFM, focusing on the clinical and commercial challenges facing today's companion animal vets, is taking place on November 6–7 at Olympia in London. It includes a number of feline sessions, among them presentations by Professor Michael Lappin (see above) on feline stomatitis, feline vaccination controversies, and Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections. Special rates apply for FAB/ESFM members. For further details, see the advertisement and insert in this issue of JFMS.
Correction
Re: Neurological examination of the cat: how to get started (JFMS May 2009, vol 11, pp 340–348): In Table 2, on page 346, the optic nerve was incorrectly denoted as CN1. It should have read CN2.
Clinical research
Do feline amputees experience phantom limb and tail pain?
Post-amputation phantom limb pain and sensation is very common within the human amputee population: some studies report a phantom pain prevalence of up to 80 per cent. Although anecdotally companion animals (and cats in particular) do not appear to have as high a rate of post-amputation complications as humans, very little objective information has been gathered on the feline amputee population to date.
As part of research being undertaken at the Royal Veterinary College's Centre of Animal Welfare in the UK, a questionnaire has been distributed to over 1000 UK veterinary practices. It is intended primarily to gather information from owners of limb and/or tail amputee cats on how they feel their cat recovered and adapted in the weeks and months following its surgery, as well as establishing an idea of the demographics of the UK feline amputee population. The response rate so far has been very encouraging, and initial reports of cats thought to have neuropathic pain and potentially phantom limb/tail pain or sensations have been extremely interesting. This work is sponsored by the Feline Advisory Bureau and preliminary findings will be reported over the coming months.
The investigators continue to welcome further case reports and questionnaire submissions. If any JFMS readers know of a case that has exhibited possible neuropathic signs post-amputation, or would like copies of the questionnaire to pass on to owners, please contact Lyn Forster, Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK, telephone +44 (0)1707 667044, email
Courtesy, J Adams
