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It’s Catching – Feline Infectious Diseases Update

Seminar Information & Agenda

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“It’s Catching – Feline Infectious Diseases Update”

Susan Little, DVM, DABVP
Dr. Susan Little received her BSc from Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia, Canada) in 1983 and her DVM in 1988 from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. She has been in feline practice since 1990 and achieved board certification in Feline Practice in 1997, re-certifying in 2006. She is part owner of two feline specialty practices in Ottawa, Canada. She serves on the board of the Winn Feline Foundation (www.winnfelinehealth.org), is a feline medicine consultant for the Veterinary Information Network (www.vin.com) and a reviewer for the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery and the Canadian Veterinary Journal. Her research interests and scientific publications include feline retrovirus infections. Dr. Little lectures internationally on feline medicine topics. In 2010, Dr. Little was the recipient of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Assoc. Small Animal Practitioner Award.

Lecture topics include:

Update on Feline Retrovirus Infections in Canada
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are retroviruses that represent two of the most common and important infectious diseases of cats. Organizations such as the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases have published guidelines for prevention and management of FeLV and FIV. Seroprevalence data is needed to define prophylactic, management, and therapeutic measures for stray, feral and owned cats. Recently, improved data on the seroprevalence of retrovirus infections in cats in Canada has become available, and recommendations for testing and management can now be formulated for Canadian practitioners.

Testing kittens for FeLV and FIV
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are retroviruses that represent two of the most important infectious diseases of cats worldwide. The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends the retrovirus status of all cats should be known and has published guidelines for retrovirus testing and management. This presentation will cover the specific guidelines and pitfalls for retrovirus testing in kittens.

Management of cats with FeLV and FIV
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are retroviruses that represent two of the most important infectious diseases of cats worldwide. This review will concentrate on current information about clinical problems associated with FeLV and FIV, and on treatment options, client education, and prevention of disease transmission.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis: Solving the Puzzle
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a baffling and clinical important disease of cats caused by infection with a virulent biotype of feline coronavirus. Approximately 1 out of every 200 new feline cases seen at veterinary medical teaching hospitals are cats diagnosed with FIP. Despite the fact that the disease is common, veterinarians are often faced with a diagnostic dilemma because there are no individual tests that are reliable for the diagnosis of FIP.

Feline Herpesvirus and Calicivirus: What’s New?
Acute and chronic upper respiratory tract disease caused by feline herpesvirus (FHV) and feline calicivirus (FCV) is well known to practitioners. Some novel clinical syndromes have been associated with these pathogens in recent years, and will be the focus of this lecture.

Snorting & Sneezing Cats – How to Manage Chronic Snufflers
Chronic rhinosinusitis is a common clinical syndrome characterized by inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses and results in persistent or recurrent nasal discharge and sneezing. Although the pathophysiology is not well understood, pathogens such as herpesvirus and calicivirus play a role. While cure is rarely achieved, control of clinical signs is possible using a variety of medical therapies.