Abstract
Welcome to the new Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. The launch of a new journal is always an exciting time, and I am particularly pleased to be associated with a new veterinary journal dedicated solely to feline medicine and surgery. The launch of this journal reflects the growing, worldwide interest in the cat as a species in veterinary medicine. It is a curious fact, that while specialist canine practices are hard to find, in many countries, specialist feline practices are common place, and have been in existence for some considerable time. There is no doubt that this is driven in part by ‘market forces’. Cats outnumber dogs as pets in many countries now, and as owners expect ever-higher standards of care for their pets, the development of feline practices is a natural progression. However, I believe there is much more to it than that. Within the veterinary profession, the peculiar challenges of the feline patient are well recognized. All clinicians involved in small animal practice, whether in general practice, referral practice, specialist feline practice or the Universities cannot help but be aware of the unique perplexities of dealing with this complex species! Yet for many of us, it is precisely this challenge which makes dealing with cats so interesting and enjoyable.
This new journal has developed out of the growing recognition of the need for a specialist feline publication. It is intended to be of practical benefit for those involved in clinical work, but also to maintain high standards of scientific content and thus will include basic research where this has relevance to clinical practice. Indeed, our first issue reflects the breadth of the scope of the journal from valuable and informative case reports (mycobacterial infection and congenital urethal anomaly), through to state of the art reviews on cytokines and the topical problem of vaccine-associated sarcomas. We also have reports on the efficacy of therapeutic agents (for the treatment of dermatophytosis and chlamydiosis), and retrospective studies of both medical (laryngeal masses) and surgical (tracheal rupture) problems. The success of this journal will be dependent on the quality of papers we publish—this first issue has set the tone well! We will continue to provide a balance of relevant ‘cutting-edge’ science and clinical studies in the future, and forthcoming papers will include a review of the molecular biology and epidemiology of FIP, feline vestibular disorders, insulin sensitivity in normal and diabetic cats, and surgical options for the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Whilst initially, the journal will be published on a quarterly basis, we plan to move to a bimonthly publication within 2 years.
I hope that you enjoy reading this first issue of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, but more importantly, I hope that you find it a valuable resource in your daily work. Whilst we have clear aims and objectives for this new journal, we are conscious that it is you, the reader, who will make the final decision on it. We would therefore welcome feedback, both positive and negative! We can then ensure our aims are fulfilled.