BSAVA Manual of Feline Practice

This new addition to the BSAVA Foundation Manual series serves to provide an easily accessible source of practical advice on the management of common feline problems encountered in first-opinion practice. It begins with an introduction to important general issues in effective feline practice, including handling techniques, principles of examination and how to ensure a cat-friendly practice. Gold-standard preventive healthcare guidelines focusing on a life-stage approach and a discussion on therapeutics including antibiotic use, analgesia and anaesthesia follow. The main part of the Manual comprises problem-oriented sections that focus on the investigation and initial management of, first, emergencies and then other common presentations such as alopecia, polydipsia and seizures. The final systems-based section gives more detailed information on the management of the disorders commonly seen in general practice.

The Manual gives enough information for any vet to deal very competently with commonly seen feline problems, also providing guidance on where to go for further information if required. Where appropriate, guidelines are also given for when referral should be considered, and for situations where financial limitations may exist.

A unique feature of this Manual are the many ‘Quick Reference Guides’ (QRGs) provided throughout , which present practical techniques and treatments in easy-to-follow step-by-step guides, with clear colour photographs illustrating each step whenever possible.

The international panel of authors were carefully chosen for their practical expertise and passion in different areas of feline practice. The practical and easy-to-follow advice provided in this Manual makes it essential reading for all new graduates and first-opinion vets who see feline cases, as well as veterinary students and veterinary nurses worldwide.

Andrea Harvey BVSc DSAM(Feline) DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Andrea graduated from the University of Bristol in 2000 and, after some time in small animal practice, returned to Bristol to undertake a 3-year residency in feline medicine, funded by the Feline Advisory Bureau, remaining as FAB Clinical Fellow in Feline Medicine from 2005 to 2010. She has since continued to work closely with FAB and the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) on various initiatives, particularly the ISFM Cat Friendly Practice Accreditation scheme. In 2012 she moved to Australia, where she works as a feline clinician in the Small Animal Specialist Hospital, Sydney. Andrea is also the ISFM representative for Australasia, and a tutor on the CVE/ISFM distance education course in feline medicine. She lectures widely internationally and has written numerous articles and book chapters. Andrea is passionate about all aspects of feline medicine, health and welfare, and about supporting and inspiring colleagues in practice to provide the best care for their feline patients.

Séverine Tasker BSc BVSc(Hons) PhD DSAM DipECVIM-CA PGCertHE MRCVS
After graduation from Bristol Veterinary School in 1994, Séverine spent time in practice working for the PDSA before moving to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh to take up an FAB Residency in Feline Medicine. She returned to Bristol in 1999, completing her PhD on feline haemoplasma infection in 2002.  She is now a Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine at Bristol. Working in the Feline Centre and on the molecular side of the diagnostic services of Langford Veterinary Services, she is interested in all aspects of feline medicine, especially infectious diseases and haematological disorders.  Séverine adores all things feline and particularly enjoys teaching veterinary students, nurses and colleagues a holistic approach to feline cases. She has authored over 100 papers and book chapters and has been an invited speaker at conferences in Europe, USA and Australasia. In 2008 she was awarded the BSAVA Woodrow Award for outstanding contributions to small animal medicine.