Abstract
AAFP
Alternatives to declawing – resources for cat owners
The AAFP has created a cat owner educational brochure, an abridged version of which appears on pages 51–52 of this issue. The brochure focuses on informing cat owners that declawing is an amputation and that scratching is normal feline behavior, and provides details on multiple alternatives to declawing. The brochure can be downloaded in print-ready formats or you can order copies at: catvets.com/guidelines/client-brochures. Additional information for cat owners can be found at: catvets.com/declaw-alternatives.
JFMS
Genetics virtual special issue
JFMS has launched its first ‘virtual’ special issue, with feline genetics as its topic. Featuring Original Articles, Reviews, Short Communications and Case Series, the issue is hosted on the JFMS website, allowing readers easy access to a handpicked collection of key articles. The beauty of the online format is that it can be kept pertinent and topical with the addition of new articles as they come to be published. The virtual issue can be accessed via the Special Issues page of the JFMS website. ISFM and AAFP members log in via their respective member portals. Non-members go to: cpsi.jfms.com.
Audiogenic seizures discussed at iCatCare conference
Mark Lowrie, lead author of a study published in JFMS (currently OnlineFirst) that defined the syndrome ‘feline audiogenic reflex seizures’, discussed clinical findings and experiences at the annual conference of International Cat Care, the parent charity of ISFM. The charity first raised cases with Mark, who went on to study the problem with his colleagues. Held in Birmingham, UK, over 200 delegates, attended the lecture to learn more about the condition more colloquially known as ‘Tom and Jerry syndrome’.
A second article, on the management of audiogenic reflex seizures with levetiracetam, has also just been published OnlineFirst in JFMS.
ISFM
Call for abstracts
Research abstracts of relevance to feline clinical practice are invited for the 2016 ISFM Congress in Malta.
Abstracts should present novel information (or highly unusual case material) that has not been previously published, although abstracts that have been presented at a previous conference will be considered. All submitted abstracts will be reviewed, and those accepted will go forward to be presented in poster format. The presenter of an accepted abstract will receive a 50% discount on member rate registration for the congress. Accepted abstracts will also be published in JFMS
iCatCare
Keeping Cats Safe campaign
As part of its ‘Keeping Cats Safe’ campaign, iCatCare has produced a poster highlighting the dangers of antifreeze to cats. To download the poster for free, or to access any of the other topics featured in the campaign, visit: icatcare.org/advice/keeping-cats-safe. The campaign has recently focused on the hazards of Halloween and Bonfire Night, safety during the Christmas period and the dangers of paracetamol. Topics coming up include road traffic accidents, permethrin and white spirit. If you would like to share your experience of relevant feline cases and help with the campaign, please visit: icatcare.org/keeping-cats-safe/your-stories
New members of ISFM/iCatCare team
Sam Taylor is an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Feline Medicine and has obtained the European Diploma in Veterinary Internal Medicine. Sam had already been working with ISFM/iCatCare on various projects but has now officially joined the team. Her role encompasses the Cat Friendly Clinic programme, veterinary webinars, veterinary nurse courses, nurse/technician membership and the Keeping Cats Safe campaign
Sarah Ellis is iCatCare’s new resident feline behaviour expert. Sarah has joined iCatCare from the University of Lincoln, UK, where she remains a Visiting Fellow. She spent several years at Lincoln working on numerous feline welfare and behaviour projects and has also previously appeared on BBC Horizon’s ‘The Secret Life of the Cat’. Sarah is currently updating and expanding the behavioural information on the iCatCare website and developing a feline behaviour course
ISFM
Veterinary webinars – new member benefit
ISFM is dedicated to providing easily accessible and relevant continuing education for vets. Following the success of the webinars that have been available through the nurse/technician membership (see below), ISFM is launching monthly webinars for veterinary members.
Starting this month, the series will cover a range of topics, including internal medicine, surgery, behaviour, anaesthesia and ophthalmology, and will be presented by highly qualified speakers passionate about cats.
Kieran Borgeat, American and European specialist in cardiology, is the speaker for the first webinar ‘A practical approach to cats with respiratory distress’, scheduled for January 12
The webinars will be offered free to all veterinary members of ISFM, with the first three talks available also to non-members.
Each webinar begins at 8pm (GMT), and is recorded for later download, providing another CPD option for busy working vets.
Feline Focus – for nurses and technicians everywhere
As part of its charitable remit, ISFM provides free nurse/technician membership worldwide, which has now been running for over a year. One of the main benefits is the monthly e-journal Feline Focus. Written by knowledgeable and respected professionals around the world, the e-journal brings state-of-the-art information on a range of topics to a growing community of nurses and technicians. The issues published to date have covered a number of themes:
Feline behaviour and stress
Wound management for technicians and nurses
Management of anorexia
Use of acupuncture in cats
Feline diabetes mellitus
Essentials of feline neurology
Recognition and management of pain in cats
Senior cat healthcare
This month’s issue is looking at obesity in cats.
‘How do I approach...?’
The 2016 ISFM feline symposium pre-BSAVA congress will be taking place on 6 April. Held the day before the annual British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) congress in the same venue – the ICC in Birmingham, UK – the symposium is an ideal addition for those attending this year’s BSAVA congress, or indeed can be attended in its own right.
The day is entitled ‘How do I approach...?’ and will cover topics such as periodontal disease, management of pancreatitis and use of biomarkers in feline cardiac disease.
