Abstract
JFMS
Second instalment of feline behaviour and problem behaviours special issues
Following valuable feedback from a JFMS reader survey completed 2 years ago by AAFP and ISFM members, the JFMS team has been working hard to produce three special issues on behaviour – the number 1 topic requested.
These special issues of our popular ‘Clinical Practice’ editions of the journal provide information and tools to help prevent problem behaviours developing in the first place, as well as resources to manage them if and when they do arise.
The current edition is the second of the three, and aims to provide greater understanding of how environmental and behavioural modification, pheromone therapy and psychoactive medications may assist in the resolution of problem behaviours.
The first issue, published in May, has, to date, attracted over 3200 downloads, indicating the thirst for knowledge in this area. Part 3 will appear in early 2019.
iCatCare
#HealthOverLooks
International Cat Care, the parent charity of ISFM, teamed up with the British Veterinary Association (BVA) on International Cat Day in August to urge cat lovers to avoid choosing pedigree breeds of cat designed to have extreme or unusual features, such as flat faces or folded ears.
International Cat Day, created by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, takes place on August 8 each year to mark the unique bond between cats and people.
Claire Bessant, Chief Executive of iCatCare, said: ‘No owner wants to think that the cat that they love is suffering, and that the person who bred and marketed the breed did not have its best welfare at heart. However, the reality is that, in the complex world of human needs and wants, the welfare of the cat is not always prioritised. The important thing is to recognise the problems and not perpetuate them. People buying cats can make a difference if they are aware of the issues and vote with their buying power and for cat welfare.’
ISFM/iCatCare
First nursing conference
ISFM welcomed over 120 nurses to its first Veterinary Nurse Conference, which was held in Stratford-upon-Avon, UK (the birthplace of William Shakespeare, hence the Shakespeare-themed biscuits at coffee time!). Feline behaviour featured in the programme, with sessions on behaviour and obesity, and successful management of multi-cat households. Other topics included dietary management of CKD and nursing the oncology patient
On-demand cat friendly courses
At the time of going to press, ISFM was putting the finishing touches to two courses complementing the Cat Friendly Clinic programme and aimed at individuals working in veterinary practice: ‘Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional’, for veterinary surgeons and nurses, and ‘Cat Friendly Veterinary Receptionist’. Both courses are delivered online and individuals can work through the course at their own pace over a 3 month period. For more information, visit: icatcare.org/learn/distance-education
Save the date
ISFM’s European Feline Congress will take place in Cavtat, Croatia, from 26–30 June 2019. The congress will explore the topic of infectious diseases, with keynote speakers Mike Lappin, Richard Malik, Jane Sykes and Séverine Tasker. For information about the congress as it becomes available, visit: icatcare.org/isfm-congress
Feline-inspired art
In association with the Society of Feline Artists (SOFA), iCatCare will be holding ‘The Complete Cat’ – an exhibition featuring feline-inspired artwork from 25 renowned UK artists. A generous 25% of the artwork sales is being donated towards the work of iCatCare, which this year celebrates its 60th anniversary. For information about the exhibition, which is in Frome, UK, from 24 November to 8 December, visit: icatcare.org/the-complete-cat
AAFP
Unprecedented attendance at AAFP Annual Conference
We extend a special thank you to everyone who joined us in September for the 2018 AAFP conference in Charlotte, NC, USA – the attendance total of 1466 was unprecedented and our growth is inspiring us to deliver additional educational opportunities in new channels. Our partners’ contributions were instrumental in making the conference a resounding success and we are grateful for their ongoing support in helping us achieve our mission to advance feline health and welfare. A conference recap will be included in the January 2019 issue of JFMS.
We are already looking forward to next year’s exciting offerings in complex disease management during the 5th World Feline Veterinary Conference, which will be held from October 31 to November 3 in San Francisco, CA, USA.
AAFP Consensus Statement on feline feeding programs
The AAFP Consensus Statement, ‘Feline feeding programs: addressing behavioral needs to improve feline health and wellbeing’, and accompanying client brochure (pictured), explore the medical, social and emotional problems that can result from the manner in which most cats are currently fed. They provide strategies to allow normal feline feeding behaviors to occur in the home environment, thus alleviating or preventing stress-related and / or overeating issues. These strategies include offering frequent small meals using appropriate puzzle feeders, forage feeding, and provision of multiple food and water stations.
Partnering to promote the importance of routine veterinary care
The AAFP launched a successful social media campaign for ‘Take Your Cat to the Vet Day’ on August 22. To mobilize cat caregivers to engage in ongoing care for their feline companions, the AAFP utilized #Cat2VetDay with a series of consumer-friendly educational infographics (see right) and an animated videographic.
Online learning opportunities
The AAFP has recently released two new webinars on its e-learning platform – ‘Feline-friendly Handling (Updated)’ and ‘Claw Counseling: Living in Harmony with Clawed Cats’.
Other topics covered in the webinar series include:
cat-friendly tips
pain management
diabetes
vaccinology
analgesia
parasitology
myocardial diseases
viral respiratory disease
To access the webinars visit: www.catvets.com/webinars
