The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) reports that over 600 veterinary surgeons and 350 nurses and technicians attended its World Feline Veterinary Congress held in Brighton.

In fact, the congress proved so popular amongst veterinary nurses that the organisers had to change venues in order to fit everyone in. 

Delegates came from 31 different countries - as far afield as Brazil, South Korea and Singapore - and attended over 28 hours of CPD which included a pre-Congress day, dentistry wetlabs, five sponsor-led symposia, two masterclasses and a main congress stream covering feline endocrinology and feline cardiology.

There were 18 speakers and feline experts, including Dr Mark Peterson and Prof Claudia Reusch leading on endocrinology, and Kieran Borgeat and Prof Virginia Luis Fuentes presenting the latest findings in cardiology.

ISFM says the initial feedback from delegates was extremely complimentary, comments including: "inspiring speakers that made it so enjoyable as well as informative", "the speakers did very high value lectures and the feline spirit was really present" and "excellent conference – lectures were informative but still practical and useful, and there was a lot of love for cats".

Running alongside the scientific programme was a busy commercial exhibition and a poster room showcasing original research, case series and case reports from 17 individuals who all received a 50% discount on the cost of their congress registration. 

On the social side, there was a welcome reception sponsored by Hill's which included a ride on the world’s first vertical cable car. Boehringer Ingelheim stumped up for cocktails and canapes on the first evening, and fish and chips with live music on Brighton Pier on the Friday, and Idexx threw in prosecco and cupcakes after lectures on Saturday afternoon.

Sam Taylor, Director of ISFM’s nursing distance education courses who chaired much of the nurse programme said: "It has been a real pleasure to welcome so many nurses to our Congress. We have been overwhelmed by the response and although we will not always be able to have a nursing stream at congress we will certainly ensure that we run ISFM events for nurses in 2018, so watch this space!"

Next year’s ISFM Congress is being held in the city of Sorrento on the Amalfi coast in Italy. Taking place from 28^th June to 1^st July, the congress will cover feline urology and feline oncology. Full details of the congress are yet to be published but over 250 delegates in Brighton have already registered their interest.

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