Abstract
Award
2016 JFMS Resident Best Paper Award winner
Sara Janssens, who was a resident in small animal surgery at Utrecht University at the time of writing her paper, has won the 2016 JFMS Resident Best Paper Award. This annual award recognises quality and excellence for early career authors in veterinary science.
Sara’s paper was selected from a shortlist that also included the following five papers, out of 22 eligible for the 2016 award:
‘Biologic variability of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in adult healthy cats’ by Autumn Harris et al
‘Non-ocular melanomas in cats: a retrospective study of 30 cases’ by Gabriel Chamel et al
‘Toxicity and response in cats with neoplasia treated with toceranib phosphate’ by Aaron Harper et al
‘Aetiology and pathogenesis of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in cats by histological examination’ by Marlis Wessely et al
‘Comparison of intramuscular alfaxalone and ketamine combined with dexmedetomidine and butorphanol for castration in cats’ by Latifa Khenissi et al
The criteria used for evaluating the studies are benefit to cats, direct usefulness to practitioners, quality of science, originality and standard of writing. Sara’s study ‘Middle ear polyps: results of traction avulsion after a lateral approach to the ear canal in 62 cats (2004–2014)’, published OnlineFirst in August 2016, was ranked highest overall.
The panel of judges commented that it was an ‘excellent presentation of both the general condition and specific technique, and a unique solution to a seemingly simple but often perplexing condition particular to cats’
ISFM
ISFM support for the AAFP’s position on hybrid cats
ISFM and its parent charity International Cat Care support the AAFP’s Position Statement (published in the March 2017 issue of JFMS) on hybrid cats, which strongly opposes the breeding of non-domestic cats to domestic cats.
ISFM is aware that deliberate hybridisation between domestic and wild cat species is going on in many different countries and, as in the UK, it is often very difficult to gain much information about the health and welfare of these cats. However, major concerns exist:
Hybrid cats are being created in a world where there is no natural niche for them.
Most hybrid cats are unlikely to be let outside, which itself causes huge welfare concerns, and it is unlikely they will be able to adequately express natural behaviours in a confined environment.
If hybrid cats are let outside, they are likely to be far more territorial and/or dangerous than domestic cats.
Hybrid cats may be a significant danger to people or other animals in the household.
There are also issues surrounding where the wild cats come from, how they are being kept, and how the mating with domestic cats is occurring.
Veterinary clinics asked to take on clients undertaking this type of breeding are put in a difficult position.
ISFM would be very interested in any information vets have on the care of these cats when housed in captivity for such breeding purposes – both in relation to the wild cat species and the F1, F2 and F3 hybrids. In the UK, wild cats such as the Serval and at least the F1 generation need a Dangerous Wild Animals Act licence to be kept; however, local government authorities that administer these licences have little or no knowledge about how these cats should be kept. ISFM is keen to understand the situation in other countries too.
If anyone has information that would help build a better picture of what is happening, please contact
Welfare concerns relating to husbandry
Injuries during mating
Temperament, behaviour and welfare of the early generation hybrids
Whether welfare organisations are seeing these hybrids being handed in because they are not easy to keep
#JFMSnews
ISFM has recently started promoting JFMS and JFMS Open Reports articles on its Facebook and Twitter pages, with a view to disseminating the latest feline research to a wider audience. ‘ISFM Member Monday’ highlights an article that appears in the current issue of JFMS and ‘Free Access Friday’ showcases either a JFMS Open Reports article or an article in JFMS that is free to view, such as a Guidelines article or Premier Review.
New members of ISFM/iCatCare team
The small but dedicated iCatCare/ISFM team has been expanding, and is delighted to welcome two new members of staff: Ginette Bryant (below left) and Sarah Endersby (below right). Ginette has over 10 years of business experience within the veterinary and animal health sector and has joined the team as Business Manager. Sarah is a vet who worked in practice for 6 years, before gaining several years of experience in the field of animal health, and has joined the team as Veterinary Development Manager. Ginette and Sarah will be pivotal in helping iCatCare work towards its vision that all cats, owned and unowned, are treated with care, compassion and understanding
First CFC in Israel
Feline practitioner Sharon Regev’s Cats Only Hospital in Rama Gan, Israel, is the first Cat Friendly Clinic (CFC) in the country and has achieved Silver level. The number of CFCs continues to grow globally and there are now 35 Bronze, 445 Silver and 350 Gold level practices in 30 countries. For more information about becoming a CFC visit:
iCatCare
ACC&D ‘Ethics Think Tank’
Recently iCatCare lent its support to an ‘Ethics Think Tank’ organised by the Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs (ACC&D). The meeting saw more than 20 experts, made up of vets, welfare workers, ethicists and scientists, come together to discuss the ethical challenges involved in managing unowned cat populations and the potential challenges of clinical trial work in the future. The goal is to find easy to administer drugs or vaccines to provide long-term fertility control in unowned populations of animals. Veterinary Director Andy Sparkes and iCatCare’s new Veterinary Development Manager Sarah Endersby participated in the meeting
AAFP
Feline Infectious Diseases and Pediatrics
Mark your calendars for the 2017 AAFP Conference to be held in Denver, CO, USA, from October 19 to 22. The program offers presentations geared towards the experienced feline practitioner, as well as sessions for newer practitioners or those looking to expand their knowledge in feline medicine. Infectious disease topics will cover feline infectious peritonitis, dermatophytosis, infectious diarrhea, zoonosis, flea- and tick-associated illnesses, upper respiratory infection, diagnostic tests and more. Topics to be covered on the pediatric education day include retroviruses, treatment of sick neonates, socialization, pediatric anesthesia, problem intervention and kitten kindergarten. Rounding out the program will be six ‘lunch and learn’ sessions covering further topics such as managing appetite in feline chronic kidney disease, a pain management seminar in conjunction with ABVP, a feline-friendly handling lab, and a paraprofessional track.
Scientific poster sessions will also be offered. The deadline for abstract submissions is May 23, 2017.
2017 Conference: Young Veterinarian Scholarship and Student Award Program
We are pleased again to offer the Young Veterinarian Scholarship Program, sponsored by Royal Canin, which funds 25 scholarships for conference registration to veterinarians (up to 35 years of age) who are not yet board certified. The application process will open on June 21, 2017 at 12:00 pm EDT and scholarships are awarded on a first come, first served basis for those who express interest in feline medicine.
New this year, the Student Award Program, sponsored by Kindred Biosciences, will provide 20 complimentary registrations to students. The application process will be open from May 1–12, 2017.
Easy navigation to client educational resources
We’ve made it easier for AAFP members to locate and use our client resources. In the new Client Resources tab, located in the navigation menu on the homepage of catvets.com, members will find access to client brochures, flyers, infographics, videos, and a link to the new website for cat caregivers – catfriendly.com.
Content can be utilized by providing handouts to clients, sharing on social media, and integrating directly into your practice communications (newsletters, emails or website).
Visit
JFMS infographic
Feedback from the 2016 JFMS Reader Survey (a brief summary of which was presented in the March 2017 issue of JFMS) has been used to develop the infographic that appears on page 554.
Neil Chesher, JFMS Commercial Sales Account Manager, comments: ‘This infographic provides interesting insights and a snapshot of how JFMS readers use and perceive the journal. Elements of the infographic demonstrate the impact of advertising on our readers, serving as a useful reminder to existing advertisers and providing compelling reasons to advertise for others.’