press update

Feline ER huge draw for ESFM Congress in Croatia

The combination of practical advice on feline emergency care supplied by world class speakers, twinned with the sparkling Adriatic setting, proved to be a successful recipe for the European Society of Feline Medicine (ESFM) Congress held in Dubrovnik (June 19-21). Twenty-six countries were represented by practitioners from as far afield as the US, Japan and South Africa. Nestling into the coastline with views over the sea, the Hotel Croatia tempted many of the 419 delegates to extend their stay for a few days well earned leave.

The ESFM Congress 'Feline ER...accident and emergency in general practice', sponsors were Boehringer Ingelheim, Hill's, Merial, Bayer and Intervet Schering Plough.

Scientific sessions were divided into sections covering a wide range of emergency care from head trauma to pain relief, and orthopaedic and sift tissue injuries to seizures and poisoning. Tim Hackett, Head of the Critical Care Unit at the James L Voss Veterinary Medical Center at Colorado State University, was the busiest of 10 world class speakers.

The ESFM Congress lived up to its friendly reputation with plenty of enjoyable social events. It kicked off with the Merial Waterside Welcome barbeque - just a few steps from the hotel. There was evident enthusiasm on display for the Aqua theme party on the Saturday night in the form of cascades of watery colours and characters - including mermaids, sailors and lifeguards. The evening ended with a magnificent lightening display and a great deal of 'aqua' falling from the sky - luckily delegates were safely in the dry by then! Those unable to prolong their stay in Croatia made the most of their free Saturday afternoon to explore the delights of the local area.

Don't miss out on the fun next year when the ESFM Congress will be held in Amsterdam with two themes - Feline Dentistry and Feline Pain Management. For full details please click here...

 Ends                                       June 28,2009

For further details contact Karen Bessant, FAB press officer on telephone 01380 827 142, kbessant@aol.com or from the FAB headquarters on 0870 742 2278.

Captions for attached jpg files:

Aqua Party costume winner Callum Blair (Virbac) with Estonia delegates Olga Sjatkovskaja and her daughter.

Tim Hackett from Colorado State University



Delegates were very disciplined and attended the lectures despite the wonderful sunshine outside!