Abstract
Professor Stefano Romagnoli, from the University of Pisa, is ESFM's new president. At the AGM held on 7 April after the pre-Congress study day at BSAVA in Birmingham, he was elected as president for the next three years. Stefano Romagnoli graduated in veterinary medicine from the University of Pisa in 1982. After receiving his Master of Science in Theriogenology (animal reproduction) at the University of Minnesota in the USA, he joined the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Pisa, Italy. He has spent time at both the University of Berne, Switzerland and at the University of Minnesota since then. At the University of Pisa he teaches veterinary obstetrics to veterinary medical students, and small animal reproduction to graduate students of the postgraduate speciality school in companion animal medicine. His field of research is clinical reproduction of domestic animals, with special emphasis on reproductive endocrinology of dogs and cats. He has been president of the Italian Feline Practitioner's Association for the past six years and has authored more than 150 scientific and continuing education publications. Stefano speaks Italian, English and Spanish, has travelled extensively visiting veterinary institutions in North and South America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Needless to say he loves cats!
Stefano has been involved with ESFM from its first meeting in 1996 and has been on the executive committee as coordinator for the board of representatives. He is currently organising an ESFM meeting in Ravenna in October (see page vi) and is hugely enthusiastic about raising the standards of feline veterinary care.
Marian Horzinek, ESFM's first president, continues to fly the ESFM flag by taking over Stefano's role on the executive committee working with the representatives from the various countries (see page viii). ESFM is delighted that Marian has agreed to continue his work with the executive committee for the next three years.
Myra Forster-van-Hijfte, from London, takes over from Karin Holler as treasurer. Myra has been on the Board of Representatives for the UK for ESFM.
Myra graduated in 1986 from the University of Ghent (Belgium). After spending one year in research at the University of Utrecht (NL) she started work in general practice mainly dealing with cats and dogs. During the six years in general practice she developed a special interest in cats and became the first resident in Feline Internal Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College in 1993. During her residency she gained certificates in veterinary radiology and small animal medicine. She became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1999 and is recognised as a RCVS and European Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine. She runs a feline internal medicine referral practice in the London and Surrey area. She has two cats of her own.
Stefano Romagnoli
Marian Horzinek
Myra Forster-van-Hijfte
ESFM Annual General Meeting 2000
Held in Austin Court, ICC, Birmingham 5/4/00
Apologies had been received from Marian Horzinek.
These had been published in Feline Focus and were accepted without amendment.
Abstracts of the talks given during the study day immediately preceding the AGM had been provided to the delegates. These were of a high quality and were well received. CB reported that similar abstracts were available for the WSAVA meeting later in the month. AS reported that efforts were being made to publish the proceedings in some form of supplement in the JFMS.
AS reported that the EC had discussed the possibility of setting up a membership directory on the ESFM web site (part of the FAB web site). The implications of this were being investigated and also whether this should be a password-protected or public-access site.
Nominations had been received for:
Stefano Romagnoli as President
Myra Forster-van-Hijfte as Treasurer
Marian Horzinek as BoR co-ordinator
All three candidates were elected unopposed.
AS proposed two minor changes to the bye-laws to reflect the publication of JFMS and Feline Focus now within JFMS.
That objective #4 should read ‘To publish a specialist journal …’ rather than ‘To develop a specialist journal …’.
Under ‘Newsletter/Journal’ to change this to ‘The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery is the official Journal of the ESFM and will be received by all members. Its Feline Focus pages provide information on ESFM.’
These suggested changes were agreed.
MH had intended to be present at the meeting but had to cancel at the last minute, and therefore there was no President's report. SR was welcomed as the incoming President. TJGJ and SR recognised the hard work and contribution MH had made during the previous three years.
CB reported that there was a current total of 565 members although some of these had not yet paid their subscription! Membership applications were being received continually, and some of these via the Web site.
CB provided a financial report to 12/99 showing a healthy balance of £10,292. CB reported that this figure may be slightly inflated as there was a possibility that Saunders had not yet claimed a proportion of the income for the journal production—this figure may amount to around £2000. AS reported that a revised financial statement was planned for following years to enhance clarity so that members could more easily understand the statement.
AS reported that journal circulation was going well and that the targets set by WB Saunders had been met. SR suggested inclusion of an e-mail address to facilitate feedback and letters to the editor.
TJGJ reported that during 2000, ESFM would have meetings in association with:
Voorjarsdagen (Holland—April, so far response to this meeting had been poor and TJGJ encouraged members to both attend and publicise this meeting)
AIVPA (Italy-October)
During 2001, the following meetings were planned:
BSAVA (UK—April)
WSAVA (with AAFP, Canada—August)
ESVIM (Ireland—autumn, with a greater research/academic emphasis)
SCIVAC (Italy—September)
During 2002:
TJGJ reported that ESFM were considering holding a two-day stand-alone meeting, possibly in Germany, with English being the main language, but he requested feedback and other suggestions.
There was widespread support for such a meeting but MFvH suggested Sweden would be a good location for the first stand-alone meeting as there is already a well-established group of veterinarians interested in feline medicine in Sweden and the meeting would therefore have a good chance of success. An enthusiastic local co-ordinator was considered important to the success of such a meeting and Katarina Bewig offered to help in this respect.
The issue of post-graduate clinical qualifications was raised. AS reported that limited progress had been made with this. ESFM would still like, ideally, to link with an existing organisation rather than start such a venture in competition to other qualifications. Discussions are taking place in the RCVS regarding a possible feline medicine diploma and feline practice certificate but these would be confined to the UK.
The ABVP and Australian college both have feline-specific qualifications and AS reported that he would investigate the possibility of working collaboratively with the Australian College later in the year when he visits there.
The next AGM will be held at the conclusion of the ESFM study day at the next BSAVA congress on 4 April 2001.
In accordance with your instructions we have prepared the unaudited financial statements set out above. The financial statements have been prepared from the accounting records of the Society which is incorporated within the Feline Advisory Bureau.
J.P.B. Harris & Co.
54 St. Mary's Lane
Upminster
ESSEX RM 14 2QT
Date:
ESFM Bye-Laws
The European Society of Feline Medicine is a specialist division of FAB (the term medicine is used to encompass all aspects of feline clinical practice). ESFM falls within the FAB constitution, a copy of which is available on request. The guidelines or bye-laws below lay out rules for the day-to-day running and management of ESFM.
ESFM objectives
To serve veterinary practitioners and scientists with an interest in feline medicine and to establish links between different groups across Europe.
To promote continuing education in the field of feline medicine
To raise awareness of feline medicine to the practitioner
To publish a specialist Journal to include clinical and basic studies
To develop specialist qualifications in feline medicine
To forge links with humane societies and exchange information
To maintain non-exclusive contacts with industry
To develop the subject of feline medicine
Structure
The makeup of the governing bodies of ESFM will reflect the range of countries and feline interests within the Society. However, while ESFM is a veterinary based organisation, membership is not exclusive and is also open to non-veterinarians.
Executive committee
An executive committee will be made up of the President, Treasurer/financial advisor, Secretary, FAB Chairman (fixed post), BoR coordinator and FAB Chief Executive (fixed post). Other than the fixed posts, posts will normally be held for a period of 3 years and officers can be re-elected. No more than two officers will be elected each year unless necessitated through resignation from the Executive Committee. Election will take place at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which will usually be held at BSAVA congress in April each year.
Meetings and proceedings of the executive committee
The Executive Committee shall hold at least two ordinary meetings each year of which one may (of necessity) be a teleconference. A special meeting may be called at any time by the President or by any two members of the Executive Committee upon not less than 21 days’ notice being given to the other members of the Executive Committee of the matters to be discussed.
The President shall act as Chairman at meetings of the Executive Committee. If the President is absent from any meetings, the members of the Executive Committee present shall choose one of their number to be Chairman of the meeting before any other business is transacted.
There shall be a quorum when at least four members of the Executive Committee for the time being are present at a meeting.
Every matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members of the Executive Committee present and voting on the question but in the case of equality of votes the President of the meeting shall have a second and casting vote.
The Executive Committee shall keep minutes of the proceedings at meetings of the Executive Committee and any sub-committee.
The Executive Committee may from time to time make and alter rules for the conduct of their business, the summoning and conduct of their meetings and the custody of documents. No rule may be made which is inconsistent with the objectives of ESFM.
The Executive Committee may appoint one or more sub-committees consisting of one or more members of the Executive Committee together with two or more other persons being full members of ESFM for the purpose of making any enquiry or supervising or performing any function of duty which in the opinion of the Executive Committee would more conveniently be undertaken or carried out by a sub-committee, provided that all acts and proceedings of any such sub-committee shall be fully and promptly reported to the Executive Committee.
Each annual general meeting shall be called by the Executive Committee. The secretary shall give at least 28 days' notice of the AGM to all members of ESFM. All members of ESFM shall be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.
The President of the Executive Committee shall be the Chairman of each annual general meeting, but if he or she is not present, before any business is transacted, the persons present shall appoint a chairman of the meeting.
The Executive Committee shall present to each AGM the report and accounts of the ESFM for the preceding year.
Nominations for the Executive Committee must be made by members of the ESFM in writing and must be in the hands of the secretary of the Executive Committee at least 150 days before the annual general meeting to allow notification of ESFM members for postal votes to be received. Should nominations exceed vacancies, election shall be by ballot at the AGM and postal votes included.
Board of Representatives
The Board of Representatives will be made up of one or more members of individual European countries. Some representatives may represent more than one country. Suggestions for representatives will be considered by the Executive Committee. Members of the Board of Representatives can be recruited from practice or academia, but not from industry.
Membership/subscriptions
The subscription rate will be set by the Executive Committee in agreement with the FAB Committee. Part of the subscription will be used by FAB to cover administration costs and this rate will be set by the Executive Committee and the FAB Committee. Separate accounts will be kept for ESFM.
Newsletter/Journal
The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery is the official Journal of ESFM and will be received by all members. Its Feline Focus pages provide information on ESFM.
Scientific meetings
ESFM will aim to provide at least 2 scientific meetings per year, one at BSAVA congress and one at another European conference, the venue of which may change from year to year.
Diary
If you are holding a feline meeting and would like to publicise it further, please send details to: Claire Bessant, JFMS, Taeselbury, High Street, Tisbury Wiltshire SP3 6LD, UK. Fax: +44 (0)1747 871873. E-mail:
Title: ESVIM 10th Annual Congress
Location: Neuchatel, Switzerland
Contact: Dr F P Gaschen, Companion Animal Clinic, University of Berne, PO Box 2735, CH-3001, Berne, Switzerland
Tel: +41 31 6312111
Fax: +41 31 6312541
Title: Nursing the feline patient
Location: Hatfield, UK
Contact: BSAVA Administration Office, Woodrow House, 1 Telford Way, Waterwells Business Park, Quedgeley, Glos GL2 4AB, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1242 862994
e-mail:
Title: Tufts Animal Expo 2000
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA Tufts Animal Expo has been developed by Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in conjunction with a number of affiliated institutions, organisations and associations which include the Delta Society, The International Association of Human–Animal Interaction Organizations, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals/Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association, Massachusetts Veterinary Technician Association, the New York State Veterinary Medical Society and Becker College. The Expo is designed to create a unique forum where veterinarians and veterinary technicians come together with others who work with animals and are involved in animal industry for the purposes of education and discussion about health and welfare issues.
To request a copy of the final programme for further information visit the web site at www.tuftsanimalexpo.com or call +1 800 642 9429
Title: Feline Meeting —Fall 2000
Location: Nappa Valley, CA, USA
Contact: AAFP, 2701 San Pedro NM, Suite 7, Albuquerque, NM 87110, USA
Tel: +1 505 8882424
Fax: +1 505 8882688
Title: Reproduction in the dog and cat
Location: Sheffield, UK
Contact: BSAVA Administration Office, Woodrow House, 1 Telford Way, Waterwells Business Park, Quedgeley, Glos GL2 4AB, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1242 862994
e-mail:
Title: ESFM Congress 2000: Feline Medicine
Location: Riccione, Ravenna, Italy
Friday
Feline cardiovascular diseases — Cecilia Quintavalla AGM for members of AIVPAFE
Saturday
FIP: clinical and diagnostic aspects — Andrew Sparkes
Feline retrovirus infection: What is the life expectancy of our patients? — Marian Horzinek
Is there a solution for FIP? — Marian Horzinek
Therapeutic protocols for feline retrovirus infections — Andrew Sparkes
Vaccination protocols: into the third millennium — Andrew Sparkes
Practical approach to feline anaemia —
Tim Gruffydd-Jones
Feline haemoparasitic diseases — Pennisi
Practical approach to feline pyrexia of unknown origin — Tim Gruffydd-Jones
Feline icterus — Lubas
Blood transfusion in the cat — Lubas
Sunday
Feline parenteral nutrition — Pennisi
Abdominal ultrasound in the cat — Procello
Feline diarrhoea — Boari
Ultrasound of the feline digestive system — Boari
Chronic renal failure and systemic hypertension — Brovida
Urethral flushing — Guidi
Feline uveitis — Guendalini
Drugs used in feline ophthalmology — Quintavalla
Contact Stefano Romagnoli, President ESFM, Departimento di Clinica Veterinaria, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Viale delle Piagge 2, University of Pisa, Pisa 56124, Italy.
Tel: +39 050 31351/3135164
Fax: +39 050 3135182
e-mail:
ESFM BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES
(Treasurer) Tierklinik Leonding Mayrhansenstrase 21A A-4060 Leonding, AUSTRIA
186 rue de l'Eglise 1640 – Rhode Sainte Genese, BELGIUM
Small Animal Clinic Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Veterinary and Pharmacological Science Palackeho 1/3, 61242 Brno CZECH REPUBLIC e-mail:
Falstersvej 9 DK 2000 Frederiksberg DENMARK Tel: +388 84777 Fax: +388 85777
Kissaklinikka Felina Tyomiehenkatu 4C 00180 Helsinki, FINLAND Tel: 358 09 6852288 Fax: 358 09 6852299
85 ter Bd Soult 75012 Paris, FRANCE Tel: 33 1 43436344 Fax: 33 1 43473791 e-mail:
Medizinische Tierklinik Veterinasse 13 8000 Munchen 40, GERMANY Tel: 49 89 21802697 Fax: 49 89 21806240, e-mail:
Universitat Leipzig Inst fur Vet Pathologie Margarete-Blank Str 4 04103 Leipzig, GERMANY Tel: 49 341 9738271 Fax: 49 341 9738299
Biogdanfy u 7B/22 H-1117 Budapest, HUNGARY
University College Dublin Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Dept. of Small Animal Clinic Studies Veterinary College Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, IRELAND Tel: 353 1 66 87988 Fax: 353 1 66 75401 e-mail:
Dipartimento di Clinica Veterinaria Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, ITALY Tel: 39 050 570.308/542331 Fax: 39 050 542892 e-mail:
Dipartimento di Patologia Animale Universita di Torino Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, ITALY Tel: 390 11 6688769 Fax: 390 11 8174325 e-mail:
Associate Professor Virology Unit, Veterinary Faculty Utrecht University, de Uithof Androclusgebouw Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht THE NETHERLANDS Tel: 31 302532487 Fax: 31302536723 e-mail:
Dept Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals Veterinary Faculty Utrecht University, de Uithof Yalelaan 8, 3584 CM Utrecht THE NETHERLANDS Tel: 31 30 2531681 or 1589 Fax: 31 30 2518126 e-mail:
Eidskog Dyreklinikk A/S 2230 Skotterud NORWAY Tel: 47 62 835666 Fax: 47 62 836665 e-mail:
Dept of Infectious Diseases Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Warsaw Agricultural University Ul Grochowska 272 03849 Warsaw, POLAND Tel/Fax: 48 228 104651 e-mail:
Department of Internal Diseases Veterinary Faculty Agricultural University of Warsaw Grochowska 272 03849 Warsaw, POLAND Tel/fax: 48 22 810 2142 e-mail:
All Russian State Research Institute for Control, Standardization & Certification 5 Zvenigorodskove Shosse 123022 Moscow, RUSSIA Tel: 7 095 2593546 Fax: 7 095 2531491
State Diagnostics & Prevention Centre for Human and Animal Diseases 42 Timiryazevskaya Street 125422 Moscow, RUSSIA Tel/Fax: 7 095 2075474
Centro Veterinario Calle Los Naranjos s/n Pueblo Lopez 29640 Fuengirola Malaga, SPAIN Tel: 34 5 462688
Skree 8003 S-45593 Munkedal, SWEDEN e-mail:
Veterinarnedizinisches Labor der Universitat Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 260 CH-8057 Zurich, SWITZERLAND Tel: 4 11 16358312 Fax: 4 11 16358906 e-mail:
Tierarzt, Zü rcherstrasse 3 Niederglatt 8172, SWITZERLAND Tel: 4 11 8518070 Fax: 4 11 8548071 e-mail:
(Secretary ESFM) FAB Lecturer in Feline Medicine The Feline Centre University of Bristol, Langford BRISTOL BS40 5DU, UK Tel: 44 117 9289280 Fax: 44 117 9289628 e-mail
The Tile House Deepdene Wood Dorking RH5 4BD Tel: 01306 640515 Fax: 01306 640514 e-mail:
Director Institute of Veterinary Research Utrecht University, de Uithof Practicumgebouw, Yalelaan 1 3584, Utrecht THE NETHERLANDS Tel: 31 30 253 2485 Fax: 31 30 253 6723 e-mail:
ESFM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Dipartimento di Clinica Veterinaria, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy Tel: 39 050 570.308/542331, Fax: 39 050542892 E-mail:
CONTACTING ESFM
Please send letters/articles/comments for JFMS to Claire Bessant, ESFM/FAB, Taeselbury, High Street, Tisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6LD, England. Tel: 44 1747 871872, Fax: 44 1747 871873 Membership details may also be obtained from this address.