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WSAVA Monthly NEWs - December, 2006

WSAVA/FECAVA /CSAVA 2006 Congress Highlights

Spectacular weather and the historic city of Prague welcomed 2,996 delegates representing 72 countries during the 31st WSAVA/12th FECAVA/14th CSAVA Congress held from October 11-14, 2006. The top five countries of attendee origin were Czech Republic, United Kingdom, USA, Canada, and Austria. The continuing education (CE) program was comprised of 268 lectures (including 6 State-Of-The-Art Lectures or SOTALs) representing 29 different disciplines/specialties and given by 93 speakers from virtually every continent of our planet. This was complemented by 132 poster presentations and several Pre-Congress meetings that included the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS), the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology (ESVC), the International Veterinary Ear, Nose, and Throat Association (IVENTA), the International Elbow Working Group (IEWG), EuroPetNet (EPN), and the International Editors Meeting. The Congress was supported by Prime Partner Hill’s, Partners Bayer Animal Health, Intervet, and Purina, as well as Sponsors Iams, Merial, The North American Veterinary Conference, Schering Plough Animal Health, and Storz together with a total of 98 exhibitors within the Exhibition Hall. Evenings were spent meeting old friends and making new ones at a variety of lively social events. The Opening Ceremonies took place on Wednesday, October 11 at the Prague Congress Centre and featured famed Czech violinist Jaroslav Sveceny. On Thursday evening, Merial hosted the Czech Medieval Party at the historic Drevcice Citadel that saw attendees reliving the history and merriment of medieval times complete with wandering entertainers, artisans, food, and good cheer! Friday night played host to the Gala Evening, held at Prague’s famous Municipal House, where guests in formal attire mingled within the halls of this exquisite architectural example of Prague Art Nouveau. The Closing Ceremonies wrapped up the Congress on Saturday afternoon and featured Kenny the Koala welcoming guest to attend next year’s Congress in Sydney, Australia on August 19-23, 2007. And all of this took place with the back drop of historic Prague, the Golden City or 100-Spired City with many attendees participating in the various pre, congress, and post-congress tours arranged by the Congress Organizing Committee. Overall, the Prague Congress was a tremendous event that will leave attendees with many fond and lasting memories.

Read more about the 2006 WSAVA Congress, including a photo gallery.

WSAVA Assembly Meeting

WSAVA President Dr. Larry Dee welcomed the Assembly members after a 17-month hiatus since the last assembly meeting in Mexico City on May 10, 2005. He provided assembly members updates from a very active WSAVA leadership, including the Executive Board and various committees. Highlights included:
• A reconstituted Hereditary Defects Committee under the Chairperson of Dr. Urs Giger from the University of Pennsylvania
• Plans for renewal & re-ratification of the WSAVA Convention for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Proposed revisions to the Congress Standard Operating Procedure and WSAVA Constitution were presented and voted upon – all were accepted
• Dr. Gabriel Varga stepped down as Chairperson of the CE Committee to coincide with his leaving the WSAVA Executive Board, now that his term as Immediate Past-President was over. He will be replaced by Dr. David Wadsworth, WSAVA President Elect.
• Consideration is being given to convert the WSAVA Handbook to a web-based rather than hard-copy resource
• Updates on the various standardization projects were given including the successful WSAVA Hepatic Standards textbook published by Elsevier, the likely completion of the GI Standards project by the next Assembly meeting in Dublin, the renal standardization project which was currently undergoing negotiations with sponsors and expected to start soon, and various other projects under consideration

Additionally, Dr. Terry Lake, WSAVA Honorary Treasurer, reported on the WSAVA 2005 financial statements, the approved budget for 2006, and provided a budget proposal for 2007. Based on a number of unforeseen factors, including the current (but hopefully soon to be corrected) lack of income from the Mexico City Congress, and changes in interest and exchange rates, the Association is faced with a $27,000 deficit. While the WSAVA has a healthy surplus to cover this deficit, Dr. Wadsworth presented a Discussion Paper outlining various funding schemes that looked to broaden non-dues revenue, formalize Congress organizer financial commitments to WSAVA, and contemplate membership dues increases. A lively discussion followed with a final Discussion Paper to be forwarded to member countries for consideration in advance of the next Assembly meeting.

An election of Officers was also held and saw the addition of Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn (following nomination by the Netherlands) to the Executive Board in the position of Honorary Treasurer. Executive Board members, pictured above from left to right, are now Drs. Terry Lake (Vice President; Canada), David Wadsworth (President Elect; UK), Brian Romberg (President; South Africa), Anne Sorensen (Honorary Secretary; Denmark), Larry Dee (Immediate Past President; USA), Luis Tello (Executive Board Member; Chile), and Jolle Kirpensteijn (Honorary Treasurer; Netherlands).

The assembly members voted in favour of accepting one new full member associations – the Guangdong Small Animal Veterinary Association (GDSAVA) from China. Additionally, Geneva, Switzerland was chosen as the site for the 2010 WSAVA Congress and three member associations indicated a desire to provide bids for the 2011 WSAVA Congress – Korea, Malaysia, and New Zealand.

2006 WSAVA Award Winners (for more complete information on the WSAVA Award winners, visit the WSAVA Awards page)

WSAVA WALTHAM International Award for Scientific Achievement
This award is based on outstanding contributions by a veterinarian who has had a significant impact on the advancement of knowledge concerning the cause, detection, cure and/or control of disorders of companion animals.
Dr. Dale E. Björling, Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgical Sciences at the University of Wisconsin, School of Veterinary Medicine.

WSAVA WALTHAM International Award for Service to the Profession
The Award is given to a person who has given exemplary service in fostering and enhancing the exchange of scientific and cultural ideas throughout the veterinary small animal world.
Dr. Colin F. Burrows, Professor of Medicine and Chair of the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine.

WSAVA Iams Saki Patsaama Award
This award is presented to a clinical researcher for excellence in the field of canine and feline orthopedic medicine and surgery.
Dr. Darryl L. Millis, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine.

WSAVA Hills Excellence in Veterinary Healthcare Award
This award recognizes the outstanding work of veterinarians in promoting companion animal healthcare and the family pet/veterinary bond through a special sensitivity to both clients and patients using leading edge clinical nutrition and advanced medical and surgery techniques.
Dr. Eric Teske, Professor, Department of Clinical Science (Oncology), Companion Animals, Utrecht University.

Future Congresses

Sydney Convention Centre, Sydney, Australia – August 19-23, 2007
As Di Sheehan, Chair of the Sydney Congress organizing Committee so aptly puts it “Just how long can you keep saying ‘one day I’ll go to Sydney, Australia’?” Well, 2007 is the year! Located in the scenic Sydney enclave of Darling Harbour, the Organizing Committee have already laid the foundation for another memorable Congress with world-class CE speakers and a number of social events that highlight the wonders of the “land down under”. So mark your calendars and visit the Congress 2007 website at www.wsava2007.com for more information.

Dublin, Ireland – August 20-24, 2008 (visit www.wsava2008.com for more information)
Sao Paulo, Brazil – 2009 (Specific date to be determined)
Geneva, Switzerland – June, 2010

WSAVA Monthly NEWs – November, 2006

WSAVA Activities and Committee Reports

Microchip Committee – Update of Microchipping in the USA 2006 submitted by Dr. Dan Aja, WSAVA Microchip Committee and Past-President of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) (For the full report, visit the Microchip Committee pages of www.wsava.org)

Since July, 2004, the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families has been working to bring the microchip manufacturers and distributors in the United States to a consensus to help save pets. The Coalition has had success at bringing most of the participants to the table to discuss the problems with the microchip programs involving companion animals.
The Coalition consists of the following groups within the United States:
• American Animal Hospital Association
• American Humane Association
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives
• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Society of Animal Welfare Administrators
• Humane Society of the United States

Currently, while the coalition and its members are in favour of adoption and implementation of the ISO RFID standards, 125 kHz microchips (both encrypted and unencrypted) are the predominant technology available to end users. Intense lobbying efforts have resulted in the following initiatives.

Recent Changes and Updates: Legislative Initiatives
In October of 2005, the United States Congress added language to the Agriculture Appropriations Bill that supports the use of microchipping of pets for identification purposes. Congress has also directed the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to develop appropriate regulations that best serve the interests of pet owners. In an earlier draft version of this bill, the U.S. House of Representatives had included language that specifically required the use of ISO 134.2 kHz pet microchips, but that language was removed.
Following this development, the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families petitioned the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting comments on the need for APHIS to promulgate regulations adopting the ISO standard as the National Standard for the microchipping of companion animals for identification (National ID Standard). Following are some excerpts from our letter to APHIS:
The Coalition believes that the adoption of the ISO standard as the National ID Standard is important because the current U.S. system for microchipping of pets has not been shown to be an effective means of reuniting pets with their families. The failures of the current system and the need for a national standard have been underscored by the Hurricane Katrina disaster where thousands of companion animals have been separated from their families. Because many of these animals have not been microchipped, or have been chipped with inconsistent technologies, a large number of animals could be euthanized instead of being returned to their families. It is appropriate that APHIS address the issue of an effective and practical microchipping standard as it assesses the needs in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. It is possible to implement a system that will work successfully both in ordinary conditions and under the pressures of a regional disaster.
Furthermore, the Coalition firmly believes that the development of truly “global” scanners that can read all chips is a key component of the implementation of a National ID Standard.
Since this time, informational meeting have been held around the United States for public comment on this proposal. The attendance at these meetings was very impressive as there is much confusion and interest in the topic of pet identification in the United States. Following these series of meetings, the Microchip Coalition sent a letter to Dr. Chester Gipson, the director of APHIS, outlining their suggested solution which addresses the following key factors for a successful microchip identification program within the USA:
• Global Scanners
• Microchipping Standards in the United States
• National Registration and Database System
• Stakeholder Education

Recent Developments in the USA
In April of 2006, Bayer Animal Health and Datamars began distributing a new “universal” iMax Black Label microchip reader within the United States The iMax Black Label reader will read 125 kHz encrypted and unencrypted (AVID) microchips as well as most 134.2 kHz or ISO microchips. To date, 8,000 scanners have been distributed. Bayer/Datamars plan to distribute 20,000 free scanners to the animal shelter community. An additional 10,000 scanners will be available for the veterinary community for discount purchase with a microchip order. Bayer also has indicated that they will introduce the ISO chip in a fall launch back to the United States.
Since late in 2005, the Digital Angel Corporation has been distributing the HomeAgain WorldScan microchip reader through Schering Plough. The WorldScan reader reads all 125 kHz microchips including the AVID encrypted microchip and 128 kHz (Trovan) microchips. This scanner also detects all and reads some ISO or 134.2 kHz microchips. Digital Angel has expressed concern to the Coalition regarding the Coalition’s stance regarding the APHIS proposal.

Conclusion
At this point we are still working hard in the United States to develop a unified animal identification system that will enhance the ability of pet owners to recover lost pets. After 2 years of work, it seems that we may finally have truly “universal” scanners that will read all of the currently implanted microchips in the United States. As long as litigation does not preclude wide distribution of these scanners, we will now have the ability to read the microchips we implant as well as those implanted around the world. The recent announcement that Trovan is actively distributing 128 kHz chips in the United States has raised concern since we have not tested the new scanners with these chips.
Regarding a unified frequency microchip, this has not been accomplished to date in the United States.

WSAVA Member Association Updates
Updates from Asia

WSAVA Sponsored Continuing Education – On August 13, 2006, a continuing education (CE) program was held in Goa, India with lectures on Dermatology provided by Dr. Peter Irke (USA) and Emergency Medicine by Dr. Luis Tello (Chile). Despite extensive flooding throughout India, 280 delegates attended the meeting organized by the WSAVA (Dr. Roger Clarke) and the Pet Practitioners Association of Mumbai (PPAM; Dr. Umesh Karkare). The meeting was generously sponsored by Bayer Animal Health, Hills Pet Nutrition, and Intervet and featured a small exhibit area as well as coffee breaks and lunch.
Following the Goa meeting, the lecturers flew to Colombo, Sri Lanka, the traveling to the city of Kandi to visit the only College of Veterinary Medicine in Sri Lanka. Drs. Ihrke and Tello gave lectures on dermatology and emergency medicine respectively, using a case-based approach for approximately 40 senior veterinary students. Afterwards, both Drs. Ihrke and Tello spent time with the faculty and students reviewing cases within the veterinary college hospital.
Upon returning to Colombo, Drs. Ihrke and Tello met with approximately 55 members of the Society of Companion Animal Practitioners of Sri Lanka, which was held at the Headquarters of the Professional Societies of Sri Lanka. Coffee breaks and lunch were provided by the organizing committee led by Dr. Nalinika Obeysekara.
As stated by Dr. Ihrke on behalf of himself and Dr. Tello, “the meetings went very well and our hosts, Umesh Karkare and his colleagues in India and Nalinika Obeysekara in Sri Lanka made us feel so welcome and appreciated. It was such a pleasure meeting and working with our colleagues in both beautiful countries. Umesh and Nalinika - Thank you both for your wonderful hospitality!”
Pet Practitioners Association of Mumbai (Bombay) – As reported by PPAM representative Dr. Umesh Karkare, the Federation of Small Animal Practioners Associations of India (FSAPAI) continues to expand with two more state associations of small animal practitioners wishing to join; they are Chandigarh from North of India and Andhra Pradesh (Hyderabad). Once members, they would join the following current members: PPAM, Small Animal Practitioners Association of Chennai (SAPAC-Chennai), Pet Practitioners Association of Karnataka (PPAK-Banglore), Small Animal Veterinary Association of Delhi (SAVAD-Delhi), and the Goa Veterinary Association (Goa). In the last meeting of FSAPAI, both Delhi and Bangalore were competing to host the next FSAPAI annual conference and WSAVA CE Program, with Delhi having the winning bid. The CE Program will be held in Dehradun- Masoorie in Uttaranchal in Hills of Himalaya, close to Agra (Taj Mahal). The tentative months will be October or November 2007. Hope all of you can join us!

WSAVA Monthly NEWs - October, 2006

A Focus on WSAVA Member Associations – Updates from Around the World!

In preparation for the WSAVA Annual Assembly meeting, scheduled for October 10 and held in conjunction with the WSAVA/FECAVA/CSAVA 2006 Congress in Prague, WSAVA member associations provide an annual report of past and planned activities. What follows are excerpts from select reports, all which highlight the tremendous activity occuring within WSAVA member associations, particularly with respect to continuing education (CE), animal welfare issues, and long-term strategic planning. CE continues to be the primary focus for the majority of associations, many of which made use of WSAVA resources including organizational, speaker, and financial support. Of particular note is the tremedous commitment and involvement of both Drs. Roger Clarke and Luis Tello in spearheading efforts in Asia and South America, respectively. WSAVA would also like to provide a note of thanks to the many industry supporters, principally from the pharmaceutical and pet nutrition sectors, whose organizational and financial assistance helped to make many of these valuable CE events a reality.

Asia

Shanghai Small Animal Veterinary Association (SSAVA; currently at 194 members)
With the joint effort of SSAVA members and committees, 2005 was a very productive year. SSAVA has successfully organized 14 seminars during this period with subjects ranging from anesthesia and pain management to surgical techniques and internal medicine. Participation for these events, was not only from the city of Shanghai, but also from the adjacent provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and has prompted the formation of the Shanghai SAVA Federation, which includes these 2 provinces. Many more CE events are already planned for 2006.
SSAVA Plans for 2006
In 2006 the SSAVA Federation plans to establish more exchange activities with other small animal veterinary associations in other cities in China and to invite specialists within and from outside China to provide CE, thereby enhancing our learning and raising our level of knowledge in veterinary technology.
SSAVA also plans to actively liaise with various governmental authorities in charge of veterinary affairs to better reflect our views and opinions as well as standing up for the legal rights of small animal veterinarians, all in an effort to serve them better.
SSAVA will also provide consultation services to our members and clinics and plan to publish an association publication, beginning as a non-periodical.

Malaysian Small Animal Veterinary Association (MSAVA; currently at 150 members)
MSAVA held 9 CE seminars and/or workshops in 2005 covering topics that included diagnostic imaging, pain management, internal medicine, and ophthalmology, with many more already planned for 2006.

Europe

Danish Small Animal Veterinary Association (DSAVA; currently at 957 members)
The work of the DSAVA in 2005 has been concentrated on:

Health and Breeding in Small Animals
After reaching agreement upon the matter of assistance to breeder organisations on breeding schemes, the DSAVA is finishing its policy paper on hip dysplasia.

Vaccination
The board is at present gathering information from other countries on existing schemes and from the vaccine producers on the experimental background for their recommendations. It has further employed a veterinary student to browse literature on vaccination results and update the board on this matter in order to establish recommendations on vaccination to be distributed to members.
Diploma Education for Veterinary Nurses
The DSAVA initiated a few years ago the first diploma education on animal behavior, which finished in the spring of 2004. The next course (practice management and marketing) started in the fall. The board is planning for a course in anesthesiology next, but will have to ensure that the legal foundation is in place for the use of nurses in the area. This may require alterations in the regulations of the Veterinary Act.

Continuing Education
The DSAVA still runs 2 courses for its members every year - a traditional 1 or 2 day course usually in the spring and the Annual 2-day Congress featuring parallel sessions and a session for veterinary nurses in November.

The Journal
The DSAVA edits a journal for small animal practitioners with 8 issues every year.

Accreditation of Small Animal Practice
The DSAVA has taken on the administration of the DVA (Danish Veterinary Association) voluntary hospital and clinic accreditation system. It is the intention of the DSVA to increase the number of accreditations.

Disease Database
The general assembly accepted the discontinuation of a disease database for small animals in Denmark. This project has been under construction for a number of years, but technical difficulties, low participation, and large expenses led the board to recommend a discontinuation; however, the board will examine the possibilities of using and modifying existing systems.

Marketing
The DSAVA has been active in the DVA in marketing the small animal practitioner through publications, the website, and other marketing events.

Estonian Small Animal Veterinary Association (ESAVA; currently at 107 members)
The board of the association (5 officers) met on 4 occasions in 2005 with the general assembly for all members being held in March. Contact with members is very active through a members’ forum section on the ESAVA website.
The work of the association in 2005 has been concentrated on:
June - Tallinn FECAVA sponsored 2 days seminar “Reproduction” – speaker dr. H.-K.Dreier (Austria)
August - South-Estonia ESAVA Summer Camp 3 days.
September - Group of ESAVA members attending WSAVA CE in Baltic States on “Surgery” – speaker dr.J.Kirpenstein (The Netherlands)
Present activities:
• Negotiation with Municipality of Tallinn and Department of Agriculture about dog identification and registration.
• Development of ESAVA `s Website (www.loomaarst.ee)
• Lobbying legislators to provide regulatory revisions to better reflect current realities of veterinary practice (e.g., demand to accord bitch numbers, ability to sell antiparasitic drugs, as well in clinics as in pharmacies).

Italy - Associazione Italiana Veterinari per Piccoli Animali (AIVPA; Italian Small Animal Veterinary Association)
AIVPA has 3 affiliated organization or branches of AIVPA who work together to determine planned activities; they are SITOV (Orthopedics and Traumatology), AIVPAFE (Feline Medicine), and AIVDAO (Non conventional treatment modalities – Acupuncture, Homeopathy etc.). Furthermore, AIVPA collaborates regularly with some regional small animal practitioner’s associations (e.g., ATOVELP in Tuscany), as well as with local veterinary chapters throughout the country, to plan and share the expenses of CE events. All AIVPA and AIVPA-affiliated society CE events have been well attended and favourably rated by attendees and allow practitioners to achieve CE credits. During 2005, members of the AIVPA Board have been invited to attend meetings of the advisory committee of the Ministry of Health on Stray Animals and Welfare. Also, AIVPA has given a substantial contribution to an investigation on the veterinary use of antibiotics being performed by the Ministry of Health, the National Reference Center for Drug Resistance, the Zooprophylactic Institute of the Regions of Lazio and Tuscany, and a Veterinary Hospital in Rome.

Switzerland (SVK/ASPMA; Swiss Association for Small Animal Medicine)
Switzerland has prepared a bid for the WSAVA Congress 2010 and are eagerly anticipating ratification by the WSAVA Board and General Assembly in Prague. Should the Swiss bid be successful, the Swiss Association will be pleased and honoured to have
the 35th WSAVA and 16th FECAVA Congress in the wonderful city of Geneva, June 2-5, 2010!

Oceania

Companion Animal Society of the New Zealand Veterinary Association (CAS)
Major Initiative in 2005:
• Submission for Parliamentary select committee written in support of Tail Docking bill to restrict tail docking of dogs, by clarifying that it is a restricted surgical procedure that may only be carried out where the procedure is necessary when tails have been damaged by injury or disease, and is not to be performed for cosmetic or prophylactic purposes.
Priorities in 2006
• To continue to promote and support the process towards legislation that will prevent the tail docking of dogs except when necessary for therapeutic reasons
• Update educational resources
• Support the development of testing programs for heritable disease in conjunction with the New Zealand Kennel Club
• Promote CE throughout New Zealand at the regional branch level with a database of potential speakers.
And there is more….
Updates from the South African Veterinary Association and the North American Veterinary Conference were reported in the July and August 2006 issues of WSAVA News, respectively.
For more information on these and other WSAVA Member Associations, visit the Member Association section of the WSAVA website (www.wsava.org).

WSAVA Monthly NEWs - September, 2006

In Memorium
Dr. Wayne Riser, founding President of WSAVA (1959-1963), passed away on June 25, 2006 at the age of 97. Dr. Riser’s accomplishments span several decades and the veterinary disciplines of pathology and orthopedics, a testament to his passion and commitment to his chosen profession. He has left a legacy that continues to benefit the veterinary profession globally. He was a professor of pathology at the University of Pennsylvania, where he introduced and championed sterile surgical techniques that remain in use to this very day. He was founder and first program director of the world-renowned Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, a charter member and past-president of the American College of Pathology, and past-president of the American Animal Hospital Association (1960-1961, a position he held while president of the WSAVA). Despite retirement with emeritus status from the University of Pennsylvania in 1979, he continued his passion for science as a volunteer researcher at the University of Florida investigating various breed-specific orthopedic diseases.
Dr. Riser and his wife, Mary Alice, lived at Jenner's Pond Retirement Community, West Grove, Pennsylvania USA. A memorial service was celebrated on July 1, 2006.

WSAVA/FECAVA/CSAVA 2006 Congress Update – October 11-14, Prague, Czech Republic

The WSAVA 2006 World Congress is almost upon us, yet for those that have not yet registered – there is still time! Prague’s unique culture, the congress’s exceptional continuing education, and your global family of friends and colleagues, all await your arrival and will quench your thirst for knowledge – both veterinary and cultural. And to further enhance your stay, there are numerous social functions that will leave you renewed and rejuvenated. Registration is a mouse-click away – simply visit www.wsava2006.cz and the menu of CE, social, cultural, and registration/accommodation opportunities will be before you. Look forward to seeing you there!

WSAVA Activities and Committee Reports

WSAVA President on the Move!
Dr. Larry Dee, WSAVA president, has had a busy spring and summer representing the WSAVA. Some of his many global stops include:
• April WSAVA Executive Board meeting in Sydney, Australia, which included meetings with the 2007 Sydney World Congress organizing committee
• Attendance at the BSAVA Congress in Birmingham, UK in April to officially launch, in partnership with Elsevier, the WSAVA Liver Standards textbook
• Attendance at the American Board of Veterinary Practitioner’s conference in San Antonio, Texas in mid-May
• Testimony at the APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) hearings on adopting and implementing standards for microchip identification technology in the USA, held in San Diego, California on May 10
• Receipt of the University of Florida Alumni Council’s Distinguished Service Award in Gainesville, Florida on May 27
• Attendance at the XXVII ANCLIVEPA Brazilian Congress in Vitorio, Espirito Santo, Brazil the first week in June. Dr. Lee lectured on otitis externa/media and extended invitations for congress delegates to attend the WSAVA World Congress in Prague October 11-14.
• American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges Strategic Planning Workshop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee June 21-22
• AVMA Annual General Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii July 15-19 in his role as both WSAVA President and alternate delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association House of Delegates

NEWS From Around the World

The Blue Dog – an innovative interactive program designed to save relationships between children and dogs
Children, dogs, and the risks of being bitten – In many homes in industrialized countries dogs are regarded as members of the family with estimates placing dog ownership at one of every three homes. Dogs and children have always shared a special bond and dog’s can also be a valuable asset in a child’s socio-emotional development. Research indicates that young children tend to “treat” their dog as a friend; therefore, the most common interactions are touching, kissing, and hugging their pet. It is as a result of these close and frequent contacts, that young children are more at risk from injury resulting from dog bites than any other age group. The majority of dogs bite accidents occur in the home environment during everyday activities and typically involve younger children (5 years of age on average) and their own dogs during times of no adult supervision with the majority of bites triggered by an interaction initiated by the child. There is no data-based evidence to implicate any particular breed as more dangerous than another.
What is Blue Dog? – Due to the complex nature of the child-dog interaction, it was decided to establish a multi-disciplinary approach to developing a teaching tool that focuses on the prevention of dog bite accidents. The Blue Dog is an interactive computer story designed to assist children between the ages of 3 and 6 years, and their parents, in learning the principles of safe interaction with a dog in the home setting. The Blue Dog CD has been developed by a team involving veterinarians, veterinary behaviourists, ethologists, psychologists, pediatricians, and members of the Art Academy of Ghent. Currently undergoing beta testing, the final version will be unveiled at the WSAVA World Congress in Prague in October, 2006.
The Blue Dog project is supported by the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology (ESVCE), the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA), the Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group (CABTSG), DOGS TRUST, and the Wylie Veterinary Centre, UK. For more information, visit their website at www.thebluedog.org or contact Tiny De Keuster at tiny.dekeuster@telenet.be.

WSAVA Monthly NEWs - August, 2006

Accolades!
Larry Dee, WSAVA President, honoured

In a recent ceremony held at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, Florida, Dr. Larry Dee was honoured with the College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Council’s Distinguished Service Award. This honour is bestowed upon an individual that has demonstrated “meritorious service to the profession of veterinary medicine” and this truly embodies Dr. Dee’s past and ongoing commitment to the betterment of the veterinary medical profession for all, whether local, state, national, or globally. Dr. Larry Dee is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP; 2 times re-certified) with an adjunct faculty position at the University of Florida Department of Medical Sciences and co-owner (with his 2 brothers) of a large general-specialty companion animal practice in Hollywood, Florida. He has served the veterinary profession and shelter community in a number of capacities, including attaining the presidency of the College of ABVP, Florida State Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, and, of course, the WSAVA. He has received numerous other awards and recognition from state, national, and international veterinary medical associations. Congratulations and well-deserved Larry!

WSAVA Activities and Committee Reports

WSAVA Promotional Flyer Available
The WSAVA has recently produced a brochure that provides information on the WSAVA, including What is the WSAVA?, the WSAVA World Congress and Continuing Education Efforts, WSAVA Standardization Projects, Animal Welfare Initiatives, and what the future holds for the WSAVA. For those interested in making copies available for their local veterinary colleagues, please contact Ewwlina Skrzypecka at x-media@vetcontact.com.

WSAVA Member Association Updates

Highlights from the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC) annual report:

The NAVC is the major business enterprise of the Eastern States Veterinary Association (ESVA), a not for profit corporation based in Gainesville, Florida with 16 full-time and 3-part time staff as well as a large number of seasonal employees who help run the Conference each year. The association is run by a volunteer board of directors headed by a president elected from among the board and the principle goal of the NAVC is to provide exceptional and high-level continuing education for veterinarians and their staff in a variety of formats that suit learning styles and focus, including:

NAVC CONFERENCE
The NAVC conference has the reputation of being one of the best conferences for veterinary professionals in the world. As such, in January 2006 it attracted more than 5660 veterinarians, 1650 technicians, 660 receptionists and practice managers, 740 students, 2400 guests/staff, close to 3100 exhibitors, 130 Press/PR and 126 non-DVM from more than 72 countries. There are over 1300 CE credit hours available during this conference. The next conference is scheduled for January 13-17, 2007. For more information, visit www.tnavc.org.

NAVC INSTITUTE
Based on the Board’s belief that there is a significant gap between the expertise of most practitioners and the training and expertise of board certified specialists, the NAVC Institute was designed to narrow this gap by providing in-depth certification programs in a variety of specialty areas. NAVC Institute differs from most continuing education programs in that it incorporates a more comprehensive "immersion" format and hands-on laboratories, with acceptance into the program involving a screening pretest and a final self assessment test after which an NAVCPGI Diploma of Completion is issued to successful candidates.

NAVC REGIONAL
The NAVC Regional Institute was established to provide comprehensive, academic courses to busy practitioners who wanted to update and refresh their skills and knowledge with a minimum of time away from their practice. NAVC Regional courses are conducted in a two-day intensive format providing a superior practical learning experience. With a combination of lecture, group interaction, workshops and one-to-one discussion with instructors, NAVC Regional has designed an optimal learning experience. Participants can gain 15 CE credits through this program.

Additional continuting education is provided through the journal “NAVC Clinicians Brief”, which began publication in November 2002. as well as partnering with the Spanish Small Animal Veterinary Association to provide the Southern European Veterinary Conference, with its inaugural meeting to be held in Barcelona, Spain on October 19-21, 2007 and to lend its support to the newly created “Latin American Veterinary Conference” that will be held annually in Lima, Peru each October.

NEWS From Around the World

The European Advisory Board on Feline Diseases: This newly established body of 17 feline experts, chaired by Professor Marian Horzinek of Utrecht University in the Netherlands, will focus on developing care guidelines and creating awareness over feline infectious diseases. Citing the lack of pet owner compliance for preventative care guidelines for cats, Dr. Horzinek stated “vaccination has become a victim of its own success. The significant benefits of vaccination are becoming difficult to see, as disease are well controlled and therefore rarely encountered.” One of the Advisory Group’s first tasks will be to develop evidence-based information on infection routes and clinical signs of avian influenza in cats. The Advisory Group has established a website to publish their recommendations as well as to provide more information about itself and its various activities (http://www.abcd-vets.org/).

Genetically engineered cats: In a news story reported by the Agence France-Presse, a California biotechnology firm says it has breed the world’s first hypo-allergenic kitten to provide a suitable pet for the thousands of hopeful cat owners that suffer from feline allergies. While the selling price of $7,000.00 USA may seems steep for most, Allerca (the San Diego based genetic technology company that developed the allergen-free cat through a careful breeding program) feels confident that this will not be a barrier for allergy prone feline lovers. Prospective owners can anticipate taking delivery of the kittens in early 2007.

WSAVA/FECAVA/CSAVA 2006 Congress Update

With the WSAVA/FECAVA/CSAVA Congress organizers putting the last minute touches on the 2006 World Congress taking place in Prague Czech Republic from October 11-14, its time for attendees to also consider the same in their own travel preparations. So, a last minute travel check list:
• Have you registered – first and foremost for the Congress and secondly with the hotel of your choice? More information can be obtained at the Congress website (http://www.wsava2006.cz/Homepage.aspx)
• Do you need a VISA to enter the Czech Republic from your originating destination? VISAs can take time so it is essential to plan ahead. For further information, visit the Czech Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (http://www.mzv.cz/wwwo/mzv/default.asp?ido=7306&idj=2&amb=1&ikony=True&trid=3&prsl=True&pocc1=1)
• Have you taken the opportunity to make a CE plan? With 270 lectures covering 28 different disciplines, 6 State of the Art Lectures (SOTAL), an animal welfare forum on dog bite prevention, the FECAVA Symposium on responsible dog breeding, and open communication session featuring abstracts of current research topics (not to mention the pre-congress symposia), it will be hard to choose which lecture to attend!
• Don’t forget to pack your party clothes as each night features an exciting social event steeped in local culture and sure to put a smile on every attendees face. Visit the Social Events page of the Congress website for more details and, if you are planning on attending the Friday evening Gala Event which is being held at the Prague Municipal House, don’t forget to book your tickets ahead of time as space is limited.
• And please ensure that your camera has a new battery and plenty of film because Prague, referred to as the “100-spired city”, will provide many opporunities to capture history in its many forms, by way of its superb and varied architecture and stunning views over the Vltava River.

Safe travels and looking forward to seeing you there!

WSAVA Monthly NEWs – July, 2006

WSAVA Activities and Committee Reports

WSAVA Textbook Launched at BSAVA Meeting April 20, 2006
April 20, 2006 marked a milestone for the WSAVA – the launch of their first textbook titled Standards for Clinical and Histopathological Diagnosis of Canine and Feline Liver Disease, in a publishing partnership with Elsevier. This text represents over 6 years of effort by the WSAVA Liver Standardization Group and provides a comprehensive review of the literature culminating in a standardized approach to establishing a definitive diagnosis of liver disease based upon the various diagnostic modalities available to the veterinary clinician.
On hand for the occasion were a number of dignitaries that included Drs. David Watson and Adrian Pratt, representatives of Hill’s Pet Nutrition who are proud sponsor of the WSAVA Liver Standardization Project, and Dr. Carmel Mooney, BSAVA President.

Pictured at the launch festivities taking place at the Elsevier booth during the BSAVA Congress are (from left to right) are Drs. David Wadsworth (WSAVA Vice President), Adrian Pratt (Associate Veterinary Affairs Manager UK and GRB, Hills Pet Nutrition), Claudio Brovida (WSAVA Standards Project Coordinator), Larry Dee (WSAVA President), and Carmel Mooney (BSAVA President).

For further information about the book and how to purchase a copy, visit the WSAVA website at www.wsava.org.

Highlights from the WSAVA Executive Board Meeting

The Executive Board of WSAVA has two board meetings every year, of which one is held in connection with the annual world congress and the other generally held in the city that is the host for the following year’s congress. Therefore, the recent EB meeting was held in Sydney, Australia on April 9, 2006 and the following is a short summary of the meeting highlights.
Part of the board meeting in Sydney was spent discussing organisational matters (i.e., running of the association). This included discussing the constitution, as some changes and corrections are needed. The proposed changes, principally about voting via e-mails and about terms for associated members, will be presented to the assembly for discussion at the Assembly Meeting in Prague in October. As well, the association’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) require updating to reflect changes and initiatives that have occurred over time, and these will also be presented for discussion in Prague.
The EB discussed the WSAVA Handbook, specifically the high costs involved in producing regular updated version, the quickness with which it becomes outdated, and the growing trend towards accessing general information through the Internet, which can be promptly and regularly updated. This resulted in an EB recommendation to migrate the WSAVA Handbook to an electronic version available at the WSAVA website (www.wsava.org) and this will be presented to the Assembly members in Prague as well.
One item that the board is very concerned about is general lack of knowledge by WSAVA members about what their association is doing on their behalf. The EB beliefs that most of the members from different countries and associations, primarily associate WSAVA with its annual Congress and not the various other activities and initiatives that the WSAVA and its committees are involved in. The EB will further discuss methods of creating awareness about the other association activities, including the scientific standardisation programs (hepatic standardisation program, gastrointestinal standardisation program, renal study). The EB also thinks there is too little awareness about the work done by our committees. As examples, the Hereditary Defects committee has recently undergone a renewal, and the new chairman is developing tasks for that committee, the Animal Welfare Committee is regularly attending to issues of global relevance, and the Scientific Advisory Committee plays a big role in many aspects of the association’s scientific decisions. As well, the WSAVA sponsors and helps provide an extensive CE programme that assists developing countries in gaining better access to continuing education right within their own country, thereby avoiding the often insurmountable costs of attending CE in a foreign country.
In the future, the WSAVA EB would like to make it easier for the assembly member associations to forward highlights of the Assembly minutes so that individual members can be more aware of the existence of WSAVA and what it stands for.

WSAVA Member Association Updates

South African Veterinary Association – Report by Dr. Lawson Cairns
The first step in WSAVA assisting in providing CE for Southern Africa will get under way with the provision of a speaker at the Madagascan Veterinary Association Conference, which takes place from 17th to 19th August 2006. WSAVA is assisting Animal Aid Africa in sponsoring Dr. Eric Gaugere to give 7 hours of lectures in French speaking Madagascar. The subject will be basic dermatology. The impetus to provide CE on the continent is gaining momentum but is a vast task and will take considerable time to see really positive results.
A further initiative has been the Iams Company offering to send several palettes of journals and books for distribution in the subcontinent. It must never be under-estimated just how valuable items which the first world countries regard as 'old' can be to people who have little or nothing. WSAVA in South Africa will assist in finding suitable avenues to pass any such items on to needy veterinarians.
If any countries or associations have old CDs, conference proceedings, or older editions of scientific veterinary textbooks, please consider sending them on to South Africa via Dr. Lawson Cairns (e-mail: regency@global.co.za); between Dr. Brian Romberg (WSAVA President Elect) and myself, we will ensure that good use is made of such items. Even items in languages other than English may be of use to us.

WSAVA/FECAVA/CSAVA 2006 Congress Update

The excitement builds as the count down continues to the WSAVA/FECAVA/CSAVA Congress taking place in Prague, Czech Republic from October 11-14, 2006. If more than 270 lectures covering 28 different disciplines by almost 80 speakers from 21 countries, or 6 separate State of the Art Lectures (SOTAL) providing cutting-edge information on current topics from world-renowned veterinary scientists, or the animal welfare forum on dog bite prevention, or the FECAVA Symposium on responsible dog breeding, or the open communication session featuring abstracts of current research topics from around the globe is not enough to quench your thirst for things to do while in Prague, the organizing committee adds a vibrant social program to while away your evenings in the “100-spired city.”

Opening Ceremony
Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at 19:30 hrs at the Prague Congress Centre, featuring world-renowned Czech violinist Jaroslav Sveceny.

Prague by Night – Beer Party
On Thursday, October 12, 2006 at 20:00 hrs, the famous Prague restaurant U Fleku will play host to an evening of traditional Czech merriment. Located in the centre of Prague, U Fleku is a unique brewery, due in large part to its history, which dates back to its building in 1499, and the traditional brewing techniques showcased. This evening, kindly sponsored by Merial, is meant to provide party goers with an opportunity to meet and celebrate traditional Czech fare and culture in a wonderful venue steeping in history.

Gala Evening
Friday, October 13, 2006 at 20:00 hrs in the Prague Municipal House, which represents one of the most remarkable constructions of Prague Art Nouveau. This very special evening is a wonderful highlight to the weeklong congress and will provide an elegant venue to socialize with acquaintances and colleagues, both old and new, while enjoying a delicious gourmet meal accompanied by entertainment.
Aside from the Gala Evening, the other social events are provided at no additional cost for congress delegates and their registered guests.

Don’t miss out on this excellent CE and social opportunity. Visit the 2006 Prague Cobress website (http://www.wsava2006.cz/Homepage.aspx) for more information and to register.

WSAVA Monthly NEWs - June, 2006

WSAVA/FECAVA/CSAVA 2006 Congress Update
In just over 4 months, Prague in the Czech Republic will play host to the 31st WSAVA World Congress, the 12th Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA) Congress, and the 14th Czech Small Animal Veterinary Association (CSAVA) Congress. The Congress will be held in the Prague Congress centre, which is ideally located near the city centre with a panoramic view of Prague, a city that has inspired scholars and artists alike throughout its thousand year history. While the city itself will compete for the attention of Congress delegates, the robust continuing education (CE) program will make the choice very difficult indeed!
As part of the 272 lectures from 78 different speakers that form the foundation for the upcoming Prague World Congress, there will be six State-Of-The-Art lectures, designated with the acronym 'SOTAL' in the congress program. As their name implies, these lectures are designed to provide the attendee with the most recent information on current topics of clinical interest from world-renowned leaders in the specific disciplines involved. This year's lecturers cover both diagnostic and disease-specific topics, including:
• Dr. Christopher Lombard – Therapy of congestive heart failure in dogs with inodilators
• Dr. Chris Lamb – How to look at radiographs
• Dr. Scott Brown – The importance of proteinuria and microalbuminuria
• Dr. Hans Kooistra – Growth hormone disorders in dogs
• Dr. Theresa Fossum – Cardiac disease in humans and animals: merging research and clinics to benefit both
• Dr. Alex German – Update in inflammatory bowel disease
SOTALs are only one part of a continuing education event that also includes 2 Pre-Congress CE events on October 10 (European Society of Veterinary Cardiology [ESVC] meeting) and October 11 (1/2 day International Veterinary Ear Nose and Throat Association [IVENTA] meeting) as well as this year’s FECAVA Symposium which explores the topic of healthy dog breeding with lectures by Drs. Distl, Indrebo, and Malm. Collectively, the CE opportunities offered, promise to not only educate, but provide a wonderful venue to renew old acquaintances and make new ones as well.
So, turn those dreams of taking part in excellent CE in a locale steeped in history into reality by visiting the Prague Congress website (http://www.wsava2006.cz/Homepage.aspx) and registering online today.

WSAVA Member Association Updates

Scandinavia: Annual reports provided by the Norwegian (NSAVA) and Danish Small Animal Veterinary Association (DSAVA) identify that both associations have investigated appropriate vaccination protocols on behalf of their members, mirroring the initiatives of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA; see below). Additionally, the NSAVA and Norwegian Kennel Club have reached an agreement to merge their microchip databases to provide easier access and pet identification through a single contact point. News from the DSAVA includes the development of a program to assist breeder organizations on developing sound breeding practices, which includes a soon-to-be released paper on hip dysplasia, as well as expanding their offering of CE diploma courses to include practice management, marketing, and anesthesiology.

American Animal Hospital Association: The AAHA has updated its Canine Vaccine Guidelines, originally released in 2003, to reflect changes in the area of canine vaccinology. Factors that contributed to the updating include the rise of well-documented duration-of-immunity studies, industry support of extended revaccination intervals, and developing areas of shelter medicine. The 2006 AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines were developed by a task force comprised of practitioners, internists, infectious disease experts, immunologists, and those committed to the growing concern of shelter medicine. The guidelines are intended to educate and inform the profession and help veterinarians make vaccine recommendations for individual dogs or, in the case of shelters, a population of dogs.

WSAVA Monthly NEWs - May, 2006

WSAVA Activities and Committee Reports

Welcome to Dr. Pernille Blok-Riisom, Professional Assistant to the WSAVA Executive Board

Dr Pernille Blok-Riisom (pictured right) graduated as a DVM in 2001 from The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark. Pernille has a special interest in animal behaviour and since 2003 has been an executive board member of the Danish Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology (DSVCE). Besides working as a small animal veterinarian, Pernille is web editor for the Danish Small Animal Veterinary Association (DSAVA).
Since the end of 2005 Pernille has assumed the part time role of Professional Assistant to the WSAVA executive board, primarily assisting Dr. Anne Sorensen Secretary in her position as WSAVA Secretary. In the future Pernille is looking forward to many more varied and interesting WSAVA tasks and to putting faces to the many names that have popped up in regular WSAVA correspondence.

WSAVA Website Traffic Flow Statistics – 2005 Summary

While 2004 represented a banner year for the dramatic growth in traffic flow to the www.wsava.org website, 2005 figures suggests this trend is still continuing.
2005 summary figures:
• There were 1,519,783 (947,940 in 2004) hits averaging 126,649 per month and 4,318 per day.
• Page views (actual page visits) were 334,171 (204,131 in 2004) averaging 27,850 per month and close to 1,000 per day.
• This represents an incredible >60% increase in traffic to the WSAVA website from 2004!
• As in 2004, traffic flow increased by approximately 36% over the course of the year
• The largest number of visitors were from North America (primarily USA but including Canada), which represented approximately 40% of visits. Second place goes to the EU with the UK, Spain, and Italy leading the pack. Other top 10 visitor geographic regions included Mexico, Australia, and Korea.
• Most visitors came directly to the www.wsava.org site with 20% ending up at the website via search engines and < 2% coming via hyperlinks from other websites.
• Google was the most common referral search engine and the most commonly used search words/phrases being:
o WSAVA or World Small Animal Veterinary Association
o Small animal(s)
o Tail docking
o ISO 11784 (microchipping)
o Veterinary Associations
o WSAVA congress
• The commonly used search phrases reflected the most popular pages/sections viewed, which were (in order of traffic flow): Homepage, congresses, tail docking, and member association pages.
All in all, these numbers indicate a clear and growing interest in the WSAVA and its various initiatives and member associations.

WSAVA Member Association Updates

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
The AAHA has released a new edition of its vaccine guidelines for dogs and it is available in its entirety at www.aahanet.org. The guidelines were first issued in 2003 with the AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force reconvening in 2005 to re-examine and revise the guidelines to reflect changes in the area of canine vaccinology. Factors that contributed to the updating of the guidelines included the rise of well-documented duration of immunity studies, industry support of extended vaccination intervals, and developing areas of shelter medicine. The 28-page document contains a new section that addresses vaccination of dogs entering or residing in animal shelter environments with some of the core vaccination recommendations for this group being slightly more aggressive than for general veterinary practice. The guidelines are intended to educate and inform the profession and help veterinarians make vaccine recommendations for individual dogs or in the case of a shelter situation, a population of dogs. The guidelines are not intended to be an AAHA Standard of Care.

NEWS From Around the World

USA – In a recent survey published in USA Today, a group of children, when asked what they wanted to be when they grew up, put a career in veterinary medicine as their number choice, beating out a life as a movie star! The top choices were:
• Spy/agent for the FBI or CIA – 16%
• Veterinarian – 13%
• Professional athlete – 12%
• Movie star – 10%
• Video game designer – 8%
• Doctor – 6%

WSAVA Monthly NEWs - April, 2006

WSAVA Activities and Committee Reports

WSAVA Standards for Histological and Clinical Diagnosis of Canine and Feline Liver Diseases – WSAVA’s first textbook is on the shelves!

In a publishing partnership with Elsevier, WSAVA is proud to announce the availability of its first scientific textbook, titled WSAVA Standards for Histological and Clinical Diagnosis of Canine and Feline Liver Diseases, representing a culmination of efforts begun in 2000 and prompted by discussions between then WSAVA president Hans-Klaus Dreier, president-elect Claudio Brovida, and Dr. Jan Rothuizen of Utrecht University. Born from a WSAVA strategic initiative to strengthen the relationship between veterinary academia and veterinary medical associations, this project is the first in a series of standardization initiatives begun by the WSAVA in an effort to provide clear direction in areas of academic research that have a direct impact on the practice of veterinary medicine (for a historical overview of the WSAVA standardization efforts, refer to the October 2005 Monthly News on the WSAVA website www.wsava.org).

The authors involved are a veritable “who’s who” of prominent, international researchers in veterinary hepatology and also includes one eminent human liver researcher. The list of authors include:
• Jan Rothuizen DVM, PhD, Dip ECVIM-CA; Utrecht University
• Susan Bunch DVM, PhD, Dip ACVIM
• Jenny Charles DVM, PhD
• John Cullen VMD, PhD; North Carolina State University
• Valeer Desmet MD, PhD; Leuven University
• Viktor Szatmari DVM, PhD; Utrecht University
• David Twedt DVM, Dip ACVIM; Colorado State University
• Ted van den Ingh DVM, PhD, Dip ACVP; University of Pennsylvania
• Tom van Winkle VMD, Dip ACVP; University of Pennsylvania
• Robert Washabau VMD, PhD, Dip ACVIM; University of Minnesota

The textbook is designed to provide a world standard of guidelines for the diagnosis of liver diseases in dogs and cats using both histological and clinical criteria. Chapters include:
• Sampling and handling of liver tissue
• Ultrasonographic identification and characterization of congenital portosystemic shunts and portal hypertensive disorders
• Morphological classification of biliary disorders
• Morphological classification of parenchymal disorders, including
o Normal histology, reversible hepatocyte injury, and hepatic amyloidosis
o Hepatocellular death, hepatitis, and cirrhosis
o Hepatic abscesses and granulomas, hepatic metabolic storage diseases, and miscellaneous conditions
• Morphological classification of neoplastic disorders
This consolidation of international science and opinion regarding the diagnosis and staging of canine and feline liver disorders represents a critical step in elevating both the level of care provided by the veterinary profession for pet’s suffering from liver disorders as well as ensuring that the common language proposed facilitates a greater degree of communication between researchers and ultimately, our understanding of these ailments.
For additional information and to order the book, visit the Elsevier website at http://www.elsevier.ca/product.jsp?isbn=070202791X

The WSAVA would like to recognize and thank Hill’s Pet Nutrition for their generous sponsorship which made this work possible.

Additional WSAVA standardization projects include the Gastrointestinal Standardization Group chaired by Dr. Robert Washabau and established to achieve a similar goal of providing guidance as to the diagnosis and staging of gastrointestinal disease of dogs and cats based on both histological and clinical criteria, and the proposed renal standardization project which is still within the planning stages. For more information, visit the WSAVA website (www.wsava.org) and use the hyperlinks located on the right-hand side of the Homepage.

WSAVA Member Association Updates

Austria – news from the Austrian small animal veterinary association VOEK (Vereinigung Oesterreichischer Kleintiermadiziner)

Austrian lawmakers were cited as approving one of Europe's toughest animal rights laws, a measure that forces farmers to uncage chickens and bars pet owners from clipping their dog's ears or tails. It is forbidden to remove the anal sac in ferrets and more.
The law, enacted by a unanimous vote in parliament, outlaws the use of lions and other wild animals in circuses and makes it illegal to restrain dogs with chains, choke collars, or "invisible fence" - devices that administer mild electric shock.
Those found guilty of animal cruelty under the new laws would be subject to fines up to $18,000 in extreme cases.

Shanghai Small Animal Veterinary Association (SSAVA) – Highlights from the Annual Report

The SSAVA has been further expanded in the year 2005 to include the veterinary organizations in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces to form the Shanghai SSAVA Federation. We shall continue to hold more continuing education (CE) programs in 2006 under this name. Over 14 seminars on a wide range of small animal medicine and surgery topics were held throughout 2005 and SSAVA believes this has lead to a significant improvement in the clinical ability of our veterinarians with some of them at the forefront of veterinary technology. Our membership continues to increase to a current 194 members.
Through the active work of our committees and participation by our members, the SSAVA has established constructive relationship with the local government authority in charge of the veterinary affairs in broad range of issues.
In 2006 the SSAVA plans to establish more exchange activities with other small animal veterinary associations in other cities in China; inviting specialists in China and outside of China to provide CE to enhance our learning and raise our level of expertise in veterinary technology.
Additional plans for 2006 include:
• Arranging domestic and international tours, participating in national and international meetings (especially the 31st WSAVA Congress in Prague), thereby helping SSAVA veterinarians to better understand the state of development of our profession, widen our perspectives, and improve the level or our services
• Actively liaise with our government authority in charge of veterinary affairs, reflecting the views and opinions of the SSAVA, and standing up for the legal rights of small animal veterinarians so as to serve them better. Additionally, the SSAVA will continue to cooperate with our government, accepting our responsibility and providing consultation to them, and helping in the process of enacting laws and regulations for the control of pets.
• Organize CE and training courses to upgrade the knowledge and ability of our members, and any other activities that provide benefit to our members.
• To promote a modern and civil society, the SSAVA shall work to popularize the idea of small animal care, humane treatment to animals, and the human-animal bond
• The SSAVA also plans to publish an association publication, which is to begin as a non-periodical
For more information on these and other WSAVA member associations, visit the WSAVA website (www.wsava.org).

WSAVA Monthly NEWs - March, 2006

WSAVA Members in the News

Dr. Roger Clarke receives the AAHA Royal Canin Award
Dr. Roger Clarke has been chosen as this year’s recipient of the prestigious AAHA Royal Canin Award, which will be presented in an awards ceremony scheduled for Saturday, March 18 in Long Beach, California as part of the AHHA! Long Beach 2006 conference. The AAHA Royal Canin Award is given in recognition of an AAHA member veterinarian whose outstanding activities or contributions have resulted in the improvement of the well-being of companion animals in the international veterinary community. Based on this description, there is no more, well-deserving individual than Dr. Clarke! A veterinary practitioner and general/specialty practice owner from Australia, Dr. Clarke continues to be very active in the WSAVA as representative to the WSAVA for the Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association, member of the WSAVA Sydney Australia 2007 Organizing Committee, and long-standing WSAVA CE Committee member representing Asia. He has been both organizer and speaker at numerous CE events throughout Asia and is the originator and current organizer of the WSAVA Animal Welfare Forum, which is held in conjunction with the annual WSAVA World Congress. Dr. Clarke has already received numerous accolades including an honorary degree of Doctor of Veterinary Science from the University of Melbourne, Australia and the WSAVA's Waltham Award for Service to the Profession in 2002. Congratulations Roger!

Figure caption: A picture of Dr. Roger Clarke taken at the time he received his honorary degree Doctor of Veterinary Science from the University of Melbourne.

News From Around the World

Japan & Microchipping
The microchip system of Japan, has adopted the ISO standards (International Standards Organization). As such, a true ISO microchip resulting in a 15 digit numeric ID code comprised of the following categories: 3-digit national country code Japan (392); 2-digit animal identification category (pets, 14); a 2-digit national manufacturer code (Digital Angel, 80; Datamars, 10;AVID, 30); and an 8-digit animal ID number.
Japan has a database available to all (run by AIPO-Animal ID Promotion Organization ) but currently only used by AVID and Datamars. Another database in Japan (Dainippon Sumitomo Seiyaku-Hitachi ) is used by Digital Angel as their registry.

Japan & Pet-Friendly Cars
Japanese car manufacturer Honda, recently unveiled a line of concept cars designed to meet the needs of dog owners. Honda has named these unique minivans as W.O.W. vehicle, which stands for Wonderful Open-Hearted Wagon. Key features of these vehicles are integrated designs that focus and making traveling with your pet easy and very pet-friendly, including a glove compartment that converts into a riding compartment for smaller pets or larger compartments that pop-up from the floor for bigger breeds of dogs. Additionally, the vehicles have floor paneling instead of carpet for ease of cleaning. For more in formation, visit http://world.honda.com/HondaMotor/

WSAVA/FECAVA/CSAVA 2006 Congress Update

While preparations are well underway for a superb WSAVA Congress hosted by the Czech Small Animal veterinary Association in Prague, Czech Republic from October 11-14, 2006, the congress organizers would like to ensure that attendees are aware of possible VISA requirements and therefore would like to forward this important notice: depending upon your country of origin, VISAs may be required to enter the Czech Republic. VISAs may take up to 2 months to acquire and are not available at the Prague Airport. For more information, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic website at www.mzv.cz and click on the Travel and Living Abroad link.
But the time invested in traveling to Prague is well worth it.
Prague is a most majestic town and my mind frequently weandered back to Rome – the city which resembles Prague more than any other. For completeness’ sake, I would like to mention the spleandour of a celebration, at which the aritsrocratic beauty of Prague women, their magnificent gait and robes, so charming an elegant in the blooming spring gardens of the palace, reminded me of Dante’s Paradise. – August Rodin, 1902
There is much to see in Prague and the surrounding countryside and the Congress organizers have arranged for numerous tours to ensure that attendees can easily take in all of the splendour that Prague and the Czech republic has to offer. Tours of the City of Prague include the Old Town and historic Jewish Ghetto, the various castles and chateaus, and tours focused on Prague’s unique blend of architecture, from art-nouveau to baroque. There are also a number of tours to neighbouring towns, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites like Prague. For more information on Prague, visit www.visitczechia.cz.

WSAVA Monthly NEWs - February, 2006

WSAVA Activities and Committee Reports

Microchip Committee Update – News from the USA
At the beginning of November, USA President George Bush signed into law an Agriculture Appropriations bill that had passed both the Senate and Congress, calling for the adoption and implementation of open-standard microchip technology for pets within the USA and universal scanners that would be able read all chips available. The specific wording of the bill was:
The conferees support the microchipping of pets for identification under a system of open microchip technology in which all scanners can read all chips. The conferees direct APHIS to develop the appropriate regulations that allow for universal reading ability and best serve the interests of pet owners. The conferees also direct APHIS to take into consideration the effect such regulation may have on the current practice of microchipping pets in this country, and to report to the Committees on Appropriations within 90 days of the date of enactment of this Act on progress toward that end.

APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) was given 90 days to present Congress with an implementation proposal. While the original bill had designated technology that adhered to the ISO standards (the most widely adopted open-standard technology implemented in most parts of the rest of the world including Canada and Europe), intense lobbying by historical providers of microchips that employ non-ISO 125 kHz technology within the USA was considered the reason for the revised and final version (despite the fact that these same manufacturers/distributors supply ISO-standard technology in markets outside of the USA).

Coinciding with the signing of this bill by the USA President, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), released a report from their Executive Committee, based on recommendations by the AVMA Council on Veterinary Services, reaffirming the AVMA’s support for microchip technology based on the ISO standards. This was one of 4 key elements cited as recommended requirements to achieve an effective system of electronic identification in animals; the other three components were:
• A true universal or global scanner/reader network capable of identifying all microchips implanted in animals in the USA and an appropriate time for implementation (suggested as 2 years)
• Minimum standards for supporting databases including 24/7 accessibility and registration included in the cost of the microchip
• Creating end-user awareness regarding the implication of these changes, how the end user can ensure that they are prepared for their implementation, and appropriate, species-specific sites of microchip implantation
Other US-based associations that have position statements supporting the adoption and implementation of the ISO-standard microchip technology include the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA; access position statement), which has published numerous articles in its TRENDs Magazine on this subject, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Additional information can be found in an article published by the National Geographic News.
While the specific outcome is unclear at this stage, what is clear is the movement to overhaul the microchip marketplace in the USA which, because of competing technology with proprietary protection, has been labeled as dysfunctional by many in the USA veterinary and pet recovery industry.

Legal battles continue between microchip manufacturers/distributors in the USA
In related news, US District Court Judge L. Scott Googler, ruled that Crystal Import Corporation (US distributor for microchip manufacturer Datamars SA) has sufficient grounds for its claims of antitrust violations against AVID and Digital Angel to proceed. The lawsuit alleges that AVID and Digital Angel have, through the use of their proprietary technology in the USA, attempted to monopolize the US marketplace and impede the adoption of an open and universal system of microchip technology, including universal scanners.

WSAVA Member Association Updates

The North American Veterinary Conference (TNAVC)
The NAVC, a WSAVA Affiliate Member, is exploring partnerships in both Latin America and Europe to deliver its unique continuing education format directly to the veterinary profession in venues outside of the United States. Currently the largest veterinary conference in the world, TNAVC (www.tnavc.org/mynavc/) has traditionally been hosted in Orlando, Florida in January of each year (next meeting scheduled for January 7-11, 2006). As reported in AAHA’s NEWStat, with the debut of the Latin American Veterinary Conference (LAVC) in October, 2005 hundreds of Peruvian veterinary professionals and students received a taste of the NAVC in their own backyard.
Organized by Jorge Guerrero, DVM, PhD, an NAVC board member, the LAVC will be expanded in future years to include veterinary professionals from bordering countries like Ecuador, Columbia, Bolivia, and Chile, and ultimately Mexico and Brazil; it represents a joint venture between the NAVC, the college of veterinary medicine at San Marcos University, and the Peruvian Association of Veterinarians who Specialize in Companion Animals. Coordinators have committed to a 2006 conference although dates and continuing education topics have not yet been set.

A similar endeavour, named the South European Veterinary Conference (SEVC), is planned for Europe through a partnership between TNAVC and AVEPA (Spanish Small Animal Veterinary Association) and plans are underway to host the first SEVC Congress in Barcelona in October, 2007.

NEWS From Around the World

Pets and biotechnology
TORONTO, Canada (From a press release) - TIME Magazine has chosen Snuppy the Afghan puppy - the first dog created by cloning and born to a surrogate Labrador retriever - the Most Amazing Invention of 2005. The story can be found inside TIME Magazine's annual Inventions issue (dated November 21st, 2005). TIME's Alice Park writes how a laboratory in South Korea perfected a cloning technique that is likely to transform medical research around the world. Snuppy is the product of years of experimentation resulting in a technique that provides a method that can be applied to virtually any mammal. Snuppy’s “birth” was under the supervision of Dr. Woo Suk Hwang and his 45-person team in their laboratory of veterinary science at Seoul National University in South Korea. Article author Park adds, "Hwang also refined his human-cell-cloning process to yield the first stem cells from patients with diseases, bringing medicine a step closer to the possibility of curing illnesses from Alzheimer's to diabetes with a patient's rejection-proof tissues."

LOS ANGELES, California – Allerca Inc. has announced its intention to create and make available hypoallergenic British short-hair cats by 2007. Despite the $3,500 US price tag, the company reports orders have been brisk with over 1,500 people placing an order, complete with a $250 deposit. Based on gene-silencing technology, the patented technique is designed to suppress the production of the Fel d 1 protein, considered to be an important factor in causing feline allergies in people. Employing a virus vector, the technology is imported into an embryo which is then implanted into a surrogate mother or queen. While the gene silencing technology has been successfully employed in mice, it has not yet been proven to work in cats. A spokesperson for the company said that the hypoallergenic cat will be one of many available “lifestyle pets”, where the technology will be used to genetically modify animals to improve upon their own or their owner’s health. However, there are a number of skeptics including those from the human health care field stating that even if the technology were to work in cats, it is unlikely to produce a truly hypoallergenic cat citing that there are many more allergens implicated in cat allergies, not just the Fel d 1 protein, and it is still unknown whether blocking the production of this protein may cause other health problems for the host cat.

WSAVA NEWS January 2006

FOCUS on the 31st WSAVA World Congress in Prague October 11-14, 2006

In a short 10 months from now, Prague in the Czech Republic will play host to the 31st WSAVA World Congress, the 12th FECAVA European Congress, and the 14th Czech Small Animal Veterinary Association (CSAVA) Congress. WSAVA World Congresses are unique in that they consistently provide an exciting and international scientific program focused on companion animal medicine that is complemented by a festive social program influenced by the culturally unique location where the congress is held. This year’s host site of Prague certainly upholds this tradition well!

Prague, Czech Republic – the city of dreams and 100 spires

Prague is the Czech Republic’s capital and largest city, being home to 1.2 million inhabitants, or approximately 10% of the Czech Republic’s population. Located in the centre of the Czech Republic (and Europe), Prague is nestled in a valley surrounded by seven hills and straddles the Vltava River, Czechia’s longest river and a vital historical route of transportation and commerce. One of Prague’s many unique features is the number of bridges that span the Vltava River, connecting the various historical sections of the city and making the city very easy to explore by foot. With a history that dates back well over 1000 years, visitors will not be disappointed by Prague’s eclectic charm representing a mixture of architectural styles, from medieval to modern and everything in between, and accented by a wealth of unique monuments and market squares, which are perfect vantage points to stop, rest, and watch Czech life unfold around you! Prague is also Czechia’s cultural centre, boasting numerous museums, theatres, and a well-developed and lively nightlife. Come and see why the historic centre of Prague is a UNESCO World Heritage site!

Scientific Program
Covering 5 days, including the pre-congress symposia, the scientific program features close to 100 speakers, many of whom are internationally renowned, providing continuing educations covering 23 different medical/surgical disciplines utilizing a variety of presentation techniques from lectures to interactive round tables and laboratory/wet lab formats. There will also be 6 State-of-the-Art Lectures (SOTALs) covering soft-tissue surgery, gastroenterology, nephrology, endocrinology, cardiology, and diagnostic imaging.

Social Program
Each night of the congress holds a unique cultural event beginning with the Opening Ceremonies and Welcome Reception held in the Prague Congress Centre on Thursday, October 12. The following evening plays host to a Czech Beer Party to be held in the famous Restaurnat U Fleku, a brewery with a history that dates back to the 15th century and situated in the historic centre of Prague. The Gala Evening is planned for Saturday evening, and will be held in the Spanish Hall of the Prague Castle with the Closing Ceremonies scheduled for Sunday, October 14 in the Prague Congress Centre at which time the 2007 congress in Sydney Australia will be highlighted.

Call for Abstracts
Participants are invited to submit original scientific abstracts for poster presentations at the 31st WSAVA World Congress as a Microsoft Word document in English by e-mail to wsava@guarant.cz. Abstracts and posters relating to research into any aspect of clinical small animal medicine and surgery, including exotics, will be considered. Unique case reports of exceptional interest, but not reviews, will also be considered.