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Award

2014 JFMS Resident Best Paper Award winner Paul Higgs, a past resident at The University of Bristol, UK, has won the 2014 JFMS Resident Best Paper Award. This annual award recognises quality and excellence for early career authors in veterinary science. The criteria used for evaluating eligible studies are benefit to cats, direct usefulness to practitioners, quality of science, originality and

standard of writing. Paul’s study ‘Medical management and monitoring of the hyperthyroid cat: a survey of UK general practitioners’, published in October 2014, was ranked highest on average. The panel of judges commented that ‘the research provides an excellent resource from which to inform and help focus continuing

education programs on the knowledge gaps and management deficiencies for cats with hyperthyroidism. Ultimately this research may help vets recommend radioiodine therapy more frequently than they currently do, and this could influence a positive change in practice.’

About the author and his study Paul writes:

Courtesy of Angie Hibbert, Feline Centre, LVS

Paul Higgs qualified from the University of Cambridge, UK, in 2006. He worked for nearly 5 years in a busy general practice in Swindon, achieving the Certificate in Small Animal Medicine in this time. Paul subsequently undertook a residency in Small Animal Medicine at the University of Bristol, which he completed in 2013. He is a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and now works for Eastcott Referrals in Swindon, as well as running his own peripatetic internal medicine service Mobile Vet Specialists.

Feline hyperthyroidism is a common condition in the UK, seen and managed regularly by small animal general practitioners. The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is generally relatively straightforward and in most cases management is similarly simple. The majority of hyperthyroid cats are treated in first opinion practice, with general practitioners holding a wealth of experience of handling the condition and guiding clients through management decision-making. There have been many recent publications regarding hyperthyroidism, originating from referral and academic institutions, and it was unknown whether this new information was having an impact on the management of the disease in the wider cat population. The aim of this survey was to try to establish how general practitioners in the UK are choosing to manage hyperthyroidism. We sought to explore the reasons behind any preference for anti-thyroid medications, surgery, radioioidine therapy or an iodine-restricted diet; also the way in which monitoring of patients was performed; and to evaluate complications observed with anti-thyroid oral medication. All UK practices treating small animals were invited to complete the survey. We achieved an excellent response, with 603 practitioners completing the online questionnaire. We identified a preference for the use of oral anti-thyroid medications over potentially curative treatment options such as radioiodine or thyroidectomy. This preference appeared to be strongly

influenced by cost considerations; interestingly, if cost was excluded as a consideration more practitioners favoured radioiodine treatment. This potentially highlights a treatment option that could be explored more fully, considering diagnosis in younger ‘mature’ or ‘senior’ aged cats. Although most general practitioners were performing some sort of regular monitoring of hyperthyroid cats receiving oral medications, common co-morbid diseases, including hypertension and renal disease, may be undiagnosed and unmanaged in some cases. The survey revealed that recent information regarding the management of azotaemic cats with hyperthyroidism – relating to optimising total T4 levels and detection of hypertension – does not appear to be widely implemented in general practice. Azotaemia may still be considered by some practitioners as an adverse reaction to medication or treatment in general, rather than evidence that uncontrolled hyperthyroidism may have been masking chronic kidney disease. In some instances this may lead to under-treatment of hyperthyroidism. Finally, the protocol for monitoring for adverse effects varied significantly between practitioners; however, this study demonstrates that adverse effects may be more common than indicated by data held by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). While 67% of respondents had observed an adverse effect in the 12 months leading up to the study, nearly 50% said they had never reported a reaction to the VMD.

Reference Higgs P, Murray JK and Hibbert A. Medical management and monitoring of the hyperthyroid cat: a survey of UK general practitioners. J Feline Med Surg 2014; 16: 788–795.

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ISFM

AIVPAFE National Congress

ISFM invests in nurses ISFM, the veterinary division of International Cat Care, is fast becoming the focus for veterinary nurses and technicians interested in improving their cat care. ISFM offers two qualifications for vet nurses: < ISFM Certificate in Feline Nursing < ISFM Diploma in Feline Nursing Ninety nurses started distance learning courses in February, and they will join over 400 nurses from 17 countries who have already achieved or are currently undertaking these qualifications.

Upon completion of their qualification, nurses receive an ISFM badge with their post-nominals

ISFM also offers free nurse and technician membership, providing access to ISFM’s monthly digital journal Feline Focus and monthly webinars. Since launching in October 2014, we have enrolled 3747 nurse/ technician members in 49 countries. To become a member visit: www.icatcare.org/nurses

New look and support materials for Cat Friendly Clinic A new look and a raft of support materials for the ISFM’s Cat Friendly Clinic (CFC) programme have been recently unveiled. Developed in response to feedback from veterinary practices across the UK, the new materials will help interested clinics to gain accreditation, or alreadyaccredited clinics to raise their profile to the cat-owning public. Initiatives include an extensive library of photographs from accredited clinics and a video walk-through of a CFC to show how, with a willingness to adopt a feline-friendly attitude, accreditation is straightforward for the majority of veterinary practices.

A new Bronze award has also been announced, together with slightly revised criteria for the Silver and Gold accreditation levels. Accredited clinics are sent an award certificate to display and can make use of a variety of promotional materials including pre-prepared press releases and content for newsletters; a range of client information leaflets is also available. Clinics can find more information on the CFC programme and accreditation at: www.catfriendlyclinic.org

ISFM on tour in Asia Two recent ISFM events, in Shanghai and in Hong Kong, brought together veterinarians with a passion for cats.

(right) ISFM veterinary director Andy Sparkes (centre) with two of the speakers for the ISFM Asia Pacific Conference in Hong Kong – Myriam Baranger-Ete from Hong Kong and Alex German from the University of Liverpool, UK

(above) More than 250 veterinarians attended the 2015 ISFM Royal Canin Feline Symposium in Shanghai on 2 March. (right) ISFM speakers with Royal Canin China staff who organised the highly successful symposium

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A National Partner of ISFM, Associazione Italiana Veterinari Patologia Felina (AIVPAFE), is holding its national congress on 26–27 September 2015. For further information visit www.aivpafe.it

iCatCare At the helm of iCatCare Stuart Carmichael, director at Fitzpatrick Referrals, Godalming, and Professor of Veterinary Science at the University of Surrey, UK, has taken up the reins as chairperson for International Cat Care and its veterinary division, the International Society of Feline Medicine. He succeeds Kim Horsford, who has stepped down from the board, having completed the maximum 9 year term

Education Clinical neurology

The Centre for Veterinary Education at the University of Sydney is running a new distance education course on clinical neurology. Tutored by Laurent Garosi, Sam Long and Simon Platt, the course comprises nine modules and runs from September 2015 to July 2016. Earlybird rates apply until June 30. For more information and to register visit: www.cve.edu.au/de/clinical-neurology

(below) Staoshi Higashiama from Japan is a regular ISFM conference attendee and executive member of the Japanese Society of Feline Medicine. His tie says it all – ‘Real men love cats’

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AAFP

The AAFP steals the spotlight on Discovery Channel The AAFP has hit the ground running in 2015 with a major focus on cat owner education as to the importance of routine veterinary visits. The AAFP and the Cat Friendly Practice (CFP) program were profiled on Discovery Channel’s Innovations with Ed Begley Jr. series, which aired on April 20. Innovations is an award-

winning television series hosted by actor, director and environmentalist, Ed Begley Jr. The segment explored the importance of feline veterinary visits and the benefits of the CFP program for veterinary staff, cat owners and, of course, cats. It also allowed the AAFP to spread its feline wellness message to millions of viewers.

To view the segment, visit www.catvets.com/cfp/cat-owners Dr Susan Little conducts a physical examination; felinefriendly handling techniques use minimal restraint to reduce stress for cats

Dr Apryl Steele talks to cat owner, Matt, about yearly preventive care check-ups

A cat owner is shown into a cat-only exam room at a Cat Friendly Practice

New online member benefits

The AAFP offers first-rate membership benefits to support the advancement of feline health and welfare to veterinarians and team members.

We are pleased to announce some new benefits that can be accessed from the Member Center online:

Webinar Portal As an added value to our membership, the AAFP is launching a new Webinar Portal that will include a variety of continuing education (CE) programs throughout the year. These new webinars will be complimentary for AAFP members and accessed from the AAFP Member Center. After you log in to the Member Center, the new Webinar Portal will recognize your membership and you will be able to track your webinar and AAFP Conference CE. To view upcoming webinars, visit: www.catvets.com/ education/online/webinars

Redesigned CFP website The AAFP has been hard at work revamping its Cat Friendly Practice (CFP) program website. The new site is set to launch in late summer, and will provide members with an improved easy-touse online experience that streamlines the CFP checklist, toolkit, approval and designation renewal process. The new site will also be integrated in the Member Center, which becomes your one-stop-shop for access to all member resources. Log in to the Member Center at: www.catvets.com/mbrdash

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Scene from the Innovations television segment

For a complete list of the AAFP’s exclusive member benefits, visit: www.catvets.com/members/ vet-benefits/ CFP updates The number of Cat Friendly Practices (CFPs) continues to grow: < Approved CFPs: 766 – Gold: 255 – Silver: 511 < Practices in the process of becoming a CFP: 905 Figures correct as of April 1, 2015

Award: 2014 JFMS Resident Best Paper Award winner.

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