Abstract
Amsterdam congress a roaring success
The first feline congress under the official banner of the ‘ISFM’ was another truly international affair, with delegates from no fewer than 26 countries converging on Amsterdam for four days of feline CPD and social events. Almost 8 per cent of the delegates came from outside Europe. This is a reflection of the increasingly international nature of the society that led to the ESFM's transformation to ISFM earlier this year.
The scientific programme focused on two key areas — feline dentistry and pain management. As hoped, these proved to be remarkably complementary, with the speakers expertly interweaving new information and practical tips into their presentations.
For the first time at a feline congress, a series of wetlabs was also on offer. Organised by the ISFM in conjunction with the European Veterinary Dental Society (EVDS), and held at the University of Utrecht, these provided some valuable hands-on training in veterinary dentistry for delegates under the expert guidance of two of the congress key speakers, Philippe Hennet and Margherita Gracis, together with EVDS tutors Paul Cooper and Marnix Lambert.
For the first time, too, MP3 and MP4 recordings of many of the congress scientific sessions have been produced, allowing delegates and those unable to attend the congress alike to benefit from the authoritative and practical advice on offer (see page 727).
The success of the feline congress is in no small way down to the contributions of the sponsors, which this year were Hill's, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merial, Bayer, Intervet-Schering Plough, Novartis, Pfizer Animal Health and Virbac.
The ISFM and AAFP joint guidelines on NSAIDs, published in the July 2010 issue of JFMS, were officially launched as part of the pain management programme during the congress. All delegates were provided with a special preprint of the July publication. The guidelines are currently being translated into French and Spanish
London Vet Show
The second London Vet Show, supported by the ISFM and combining a vibrant mix of clinical CPD training and business sessions, is taking place on October 22–23 in the Olympia National Hall, London. Feline topics include the dyspnoeic cat, important and emerging bacterial diseases, shearing injuries, tail-pull injuries, recurrent conjunctivitis, inappropriate elimination and FLUTD. Details from www.londonvetshow.co.uk
Clarification
Snots and snuffles: rational approach to chronic feline upper respiratory syndromes (JFMS July 2010, vol 12, pp 548–557) The radiograph in Fig 5 shows a mandibular lower first molar of a dog — hence is neither in the correct jaw for chronic upper respiratory problems nor in the correct species. The purpose of the figure was simply to illustrate that performing a complete dental exam includes probing pockets and that taking radiographs is part of working up the chronically snuffling cat. The author, Margie Scherk, apologises for any confusion.
Amsterdam album
CATS, CATS, CATS! Speakers talk cats … ‘Release the beast’ party-goers play at being cats (well some anyway!) … and commercial exhibitors display cats
CHAT, CHAT, CHAT! The feline congress has a reputation for its friendly atmosphere — and many delegates catch up with friends and renew acquaintances year on year. The welcome reception, held in the Winter Garden in Amsterdam's Krasnapolsky Hotel, provided a wonderful opportunity for doing just that
COUNTRIES We were expecting delegates from far and wide — and weren't disappointed. The final head count was 452, with delegates attending from 26 countries, including for the first time Greenland and Korea
COCKTAILS Bayer helps to keep delegates hydrated with a choice of fruit cocktails on offer at its stand in the exhibition during breaks between sessions
CPD, CPD, CPD! At the heart of the congress is the feline scientific programme, which this year provided nearly 14 hours of top quality CPD. The key speakers were (clockwise from top left) Philippe Hennet and Margherita Gracis on dentistry, and Duncan Lascelles, Sheilah Robertson and Polly Taylor on pain management
Delegates enrolled on the dental wetlabs were able to try for themselves some of the techniques discussed in the course of the programme. The basic lab covered oral examination, periodontology, charting, radiology and dental extractions, while a more advanced lab focused on the essentials of palatal flaps for the repair of traumatic and congenital defects
