Algemene informatie
This will be a very case based and practical course, with simple tips on how to improve the usefulness of clinical examination, through to advanced diagnostics (and what to do if you don’t have access to them), to the management of causes that are often missed and yet are treatable. We will start by considering common causes of anorexia/hyporexia in the cat, and the physiological and pathological effect this can have, including immunesuppression, poor healing, depression, and hepatic lipidosis. We will consider the special nutritional requirements of cats, and how best to simulate their appetite, including the principals of Feline Friendly Practice, and drugs that can encourage cats to eat. We will consider the pros and cons of different types of feeding tubes and how to place then (including new data on the potential risks of o-tubes); plus the risk of refeeding syndrome and how to deal with this. We will cover many different causes of anorexia/hyporexia in the cat by considering real cases. Topics covered will include chronic kidney disease (importantly, chronic interstitial nephritis, the role of recurrent urinary tract infections, hypertension and/or proteinuria, plus ‘big kidney little kidney syndrome’, amongst others); then pneumonia (including infectious causes that are now being recognised more frequently, such as Mycoplasma pneumonia, Bordetellosis, Mycobacteriosis, lungworm, and cowpox, amongst others) – it is important to remember that 40% of cases of pneumonia in cats die without ever showing any signs of respiratory disease.

Gastrointestinal disease will also be considered in some detail, especially the role that Triaditis can play in causing anorexia in cats (i.e. concurrent inflammation of the intestines, pancreas and biliary tree); liver disease will also be covered. Other conditions discussed will include the role that pain can play in triggering hyporexia/anorexia, plus dementia, hypercalcaemia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Toxoplasmosis, and dysautonomia, amongst others.

Doelgroep
This will be a very case based and practical course that will be suitable for all clinicians working within small animal practice, whether they are new graduates or specialists; there really will be something for everyone.