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.

Foreword

Preface

SECTION 1: Effective feline practice

1. The cat-friendly practice
Margie Scherk

2. Preventive healthcare: a life-stage approach
Susan Little

3. Practical therapeutics
Jill E. Maddison and Jo Murrell

SECTION 2: Common presenting complaints

4. Feline emergencies

4.1 Collapse
Angie Hibbert

4.2 Dyspnoea, tachypnoea and hyperpnoea
Angie Hibbert

4.3 Hypercalcaemia
Samantha Taylor

4.4 Hypocalcaemia
Samantha Taylor

4.5 Hypoglycaemia
Samantha Taylor

4.6 Hypokalaemia
Samantha Taylor

4.7 Seizures
Laurent Garosi

4.8 Sudden-onset blindness
Natasha Mitchell

4.9 Toxins – common feline poisonings
Martha Cannon

4.10 Trauma and wound management
Geraldine Hunt

4.11 Urethral obstruction
Danièlle-Gunn Moore

5. Other common feline problems

5.1 Abdominal effusion
Myra Forster-van Hijfte

5.2 Abdominal masses
Myra Forster-van Hijfte

5.3 Alopecia
Natalie Barnard

5.4 Anaemia
Séverine Tasker

5.5 Anorexia
Samantha Taylor and Rachel Korman

5.6 Ataxia
Laurent Garosi

5.7 Azotaemia
Kathleen Tennant

5.8 Cat bite abscesses
Martha Cannon

5.9 Constipation
Albert E. Jergens

5.10 Coughing
Angie Hibbert

5.11 Dehydration
Samantha Taylor

5.12 Diarrhoea
Albert E. Jergens

5.13 Haematuria
Danièlle-Gunn Moore

5.14 Hairballs
Margie Scherk

5.15 Head shaking and/or ear scratching
Natalie Barnard

5.16 Head tilt
Laurent Garosi

5.17 Heart murmur
Kerry Simpson

5.18 Hypertension
Sarah Caney

5.19 Hyphaema
Natasha Mitchell

5.20 Inappropriate defecation
Andrea Harvey

5.21 Inappropriate urination, dysuria and pollakiuria
Samantha Taylor

5.22 Jaundice
Andrea Harvey

5.23 Lameness
Sorrel J. Langley-Hobbs

5.24 Mentation and behavioural changes
Laurent Garosi

5.25 Ocular discharge
Natasha Mitchell

5.26 Overgrooming and pruritus
Natalie Barnard

5.27 Pica
Samantha Taylor

5.28 Polyphagia
Darren Foster

5.29 Polyuria and polydipsia
Sarah Caney

5.30 Pyrexia and hyperthermia
Mike Lappin

5.31 Raised liver parameters
Kathleen Tennant

5.32 Regurgitation
Myra Forster-van Hiijfte

5.33 Skin masses, nodules and swellings
Natalie Barnard

5.34 Sneezing and nasal discharge
Richard Malik and Andrea Harvey

5.35 Vomiting
Albert E. Jergens

5.36 Weight loss
Samantha Taylor

SECTION 3: Management of common disorders

6. Managing skin disorders
Natalie Barnard

7. Dental disorders and their management
Lisa Milella

8. Management of eye disease
Natasha Mitchell

9. Management of cardiovascular disorders
Luca Ferasin

10. Management of respiratory disorders
Angie Hibbert 

11. Management of gastrointestinal disorders
Albert E. Jergens

12. Management of hepatic and pancreatic disorders
Andrea Harvey

13. Management of urinary tract disorders
Samantha Taylor

14. Management of endocrine disorders
Nicki Reed

15. Management of reproduction and related disorders
Susan Little

16. Management of fractures and orthopaedic disease
Sorrel J. Langley-Hobbs

17. Management of neurological and neuromuscular disorders
Laurent Garosi

18. Management of behavioural disorders
Vicky Halls

19. Infectious diseases
Vanessa Barrs and Julia Beatty

20. Management of haematological disorders
Séverine Tasker

21. Management of commonly encountered feline cancers
Mark Goodfellow

Appendix

Suture patterns
Geraldine Hunt

Index

Quick reference guides

QRG 1.1 Calculation of energy requirements for ill cats
Marge Chandler

QRG 1.2 Handling techniques for simple procedures
Suzanne Rudd

QRG 1.3 Examining the eye
Natasha Mitchell

QRG 1.4 Examining the mouth in a conscious cat
Lisa Milella

QRG 1.5 Thoracic examination and auscultation
Kerry Simpson

QRG 1.6 Performing a neurological examination
Laurent Garosi

QRG 1.7 Blood sampling: practical tips
Martha Cannon

QRG 2.1 Calculation of energy requirements for life stages and weight management
Marge Chandler

QRG 2.2 Prepubertal neutering of kittens
David Yates

QRG 2.3 Prepubertal neutering of males: castration
David Yates

QRG 2.4 Prepubertal neutering of females: ovariohysterectomy
David Yates

QRG 2.5 Compassionate euthanasia
Martha Cannon

QRG 3.1 Giving oral medications to cats
Martha Cannon

QRG 4.1.1 Intravenous catheterization
Samantha Taylor

QRG 4.1.2 Approach to hypotension
Angie Hibbert

QRG 4.1.3 Intravenous fluid therapy
Samantha Taylor 

QRG 4.1.4 Recording and interpreting an electrocardiogram
Luca Ferasin

QRG 4.2.1 Immediate management of severe dyspnoea
Angie Hibbert 

QRG 4.2.2 Oxygen therapy
Angie Hibbert

QRG 4.2.3 Emergency thoracic radiography
Esther Barrett

QRG 4.2.4 Thoracocentesis
Angie Hibbert

QRG 4.2.5 Inserting a chest drain
Geraldine Hunt

QRG 4.2.6 Inserting a small-bore wire-guided chest drain
Dan Lewis

QRG 4.4.1 Treatment of hypocalcaemia
Samantha Taylor

QRG 4.5.1 Treating hypoglycaemia
Samantha Taylor

QRG 4.6.1 Treatment of hypokalaemia
Samantha Taylor

QRG 4.7.1 Emergency management of the seizuring cat
Laurent Garosi

QRG 4.10.1 Abdominal rupture and hernia management
Geraldine Hunt

QRG 4.10.2 Bladder rupture repair
Geraldine Hunt

QRG 4.11.1 Approach to hyperkalaemia
Angie Hibbert

QRG 4.11.2 Relief of urethral obstruction in a tomcat
Danièlle-Gunn Moore

QRG 4.11.3 Urinalysis
Kathleen Tennant

QRG 4.11.4 Cystocentesis
Margie Scherk

QRG 5.1.1 Abdominocentesis
Myra Forster-van Hijfte

QRG 5.3.1 Wood's lamp examination 
Natalie Barnard

QRG 5.3.2 Hair plucks
Natalie Barnard

QRG 5.3.3 Skin biopsy
Natalie Barnard

QRG 5.4.1 Making and examining a blood smear
Séverine Tasker

QRG 5.4.2 Haematological assessment
Kathleen Tennant

QRG 5.4.3 Obtaining bone marrow samples
Séverine Tasker

QRG 5.5.1 Enteral assisted nutrition
Rachel Korman

QRG 5.5.2 Placement of a naso-oesophageal feeding tube
Rachel Korman

QRG 5.5.3 Placement of an oesophagostomy feeding tube
Rachel Korman

QRG 5.10.1 Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)
Angie Hibbert

QRG 5.15.1 Ear flushing
Natalie Barnard

QRG 5.15.2 Ear cytology
Natalie Barnard

QRG 5.18.1 Measuring blood pressure
Sarah Caney

QRG 5.18.2 Treatment of hypertension
Sarah Caney

QRG 5.21.1 Radiographic contrast studies of the lower urinary tract
Myra Forster-van Hijfte

QRG 5.26.1 Coat brushing
Natalie Barnard

QRG 5.26.2 Skin scrapes
Natalie Barnard

QRG 5.26.3 Skin cytology
Natalie Barnard

QRG 5.33.1 Fine-needle aspiration 
Kathleen Tennant

QRG 5.34.1 Evaluating the nasopharynx
Andrea Harvey and Richard Malik

QRG 5.34.2 Nasal flushing and biopsy
Andrea Harvey and Richard Malik

QRG 6.1 Dietary trial for cutaneous adverse food reaction
Natalie Barnard

QRG 7.1 Dental examination, scaling and polishing
Lisa Milella

QRG 7.2 Tooth extraction
Lisa Milella

QRG 8.1 Enucleation
Natasha Mitchell

QRG 10.1 Inhalant asthma treatment
Angie Hibbert

QRG 11.1 Gut biopsy
Geraldine Hunt

QRG 12.1 Liver biopsy
Geraldine Hunt

QRG 13.1 Increasing water intake
Samantha Taylor

QRG 13.2 Subcutaneous fluid therapy
Samantha Taylor

QRG 14.1 Intracapsular thyroidectomy with preservation of the cranial parathyroid gland
Geraldine Hunt

QRG 14.2 Ear vein sampling for blood glucose determination
Nicki Reed

QRG 15.1 Diagnosing and managing dystocia
Susan Little and Geraldine Hunt

QRG 17.1 Tail-pull injuries and tail amputation
Geraldine Hunt 

QRG 20.1 Feline blood types and blood typing methods
Suzanne Rudd  

QRG 20.2 Blood transfusion
Suzanne Rudd

QRG 21.1 Lymph node excision
Geraldine Hunt

QRG 21.2 Chemotherapy for lymphoma
Mark Goodfellow

QRG 21.3 Pinnectomy
Geraldine Hunt