Joint WSAVA/FECAVA Congress in Lisbon was a Success!

Record-Breaking Participation at the Joint WSAVA/FECAVA Congress
The joint WSAVA/FECAVA Congress, held 27 – 29 September 2023 in Lisbon, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by attracting almost 4,000 participants from 103 countries. This unprecedented level of attendance makes it the largest WSAVA or FECAVA Congress in the last years. The special recognition goes to the Portuguese Small Animal Association APMVEAC for their unwavering dedication and immense effort in making this event truly spectacular.
FECAVA showcased its work to the attendees at the FECAVA booth, who had a chance to participate in clinical knowledge tests from the FECAVA factsheets and enter a draw for valuable prizes, including BSAVA manuals and free registration for next year’s FECAVA EuroCongress in Athens.

Building Connections and Sharing Knowledge
The Congress served as an excellent platform for attendees to reconnect with old friends, forge new collaborations, and share innovative ideas. It provided a unique opportunity for the global veterinary community to come together, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among professionals from diverse backgrounds.

FECAVA IVC Evidensia Student Scholarship
At the Welcome Ceremony, FECAVA President Denis Novak and FECAVA Past President Wolfgang Dohne awarded the FECAVA IVC Evidensia Student Scholarship to ten students from across Europe, making their participation in the joint WSAVA and FECAVA Congress possible. The recipients were:

  • Luregn von Planta from Switzerland
  • Viktoria Hirschhofer from Austria
  • Anastasiya Zabara from Ukraine/Latvia
  • Nisa Sümertekin from Turkey
  • Susanna Salvatori from Italy
  • Iuliana-Bianca Cojan from Romania
  • Kamila Takacsova Zacharova from Slovakia
  • Leonidas Folias from Greece
  • David Mihaljević from Croatia
  • Diana Druta from Moldova

Special thanks were extended to Christopher Long, Talent Business Manager – Graduate Academy from IVC Evidensia, for his attendance at the Congress and support.

 

FECAVA Laboklin Travel Scholarship Recipients
During the Congress, FECAVA proudly announced the recipients of the FECAVA Laboklin Travel Scholarship. This scholarship is a testament to the commitment and dedication of individuals in advancing their knowledge in veterinary medicine. Congratulations to the recipients:

  • Veronika Budin from Slovenia
  • Daira Viskere from Latvia

The Didier-Noël Carlotti Award
Congratulations to Dr. Jane Ladlow for receiving the Didier-Noël Carlotti Award. This award recognized Dr. Ladlow’s outstanding contribution to raising awareness of the health issues faced by brachycephalic dogs, an important topic within the veterinary profession.

Endocrinology Series Release
In a significant development, FECAVA announced the availability of the first part of the Endocrinology series for download. This resource, supported by Dechra, provides invaluable guidance on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Canine Hypoadrenocorticism, including flowcharts and notes. Thanks to the authors, Federico Fracassi and Hans Kooistra, for their valuable work.

Outreach Program on Crisis Management
A day before the Congress, FECAVA Vice President Danny Holmes participated in a successful outreach program on Crisis Management with the Portuguese Small Animal Veterinary Association APMVEAC. This event facilitated a robust discussion and collaboration among participants.

FECAVA Symposium Highlights
Throughout the Congress, FECAVA hosted a series of informative lectures addressing critical topics in the field of veterinary medicine. The presentations included:

  • Pituitary dependent-hypercortisolism: pituitary or adrenal target therapy by Federico Fracassi (Italy).
  • Canine hypothyroidism: how to avoid misdiagnosis by Federico Fracassi (Italy).
  • Canine hypoadrenocorticism: all the steps from diagnosis to treatment by Federico Fracassi (Italy).
  • It really hurts – pain management in small animal dentistry by Brook Niemiec (United States of America)
  • Systemic aspects of oral health by Jerzy P. Gawor (Poland)
  • Passive, active, or combined oral hygiene? By Jerzy P. Gawor (Poland) and Brook Niemiec (United States of America)
  • A case-based discussion on the best anesthetic protocols for dogs and cats, featuring Paulo Steagall (Hong Kong PRC).
  • Making anesthesia simple: the anesthetic plan from A to Z. by Paulo Steagall (Hong Kong PRC)
  • Noise reactivity in dogs and cats by Gonçalo Da Graça Pereira (Portugal)
  • The link between animal and human abuse Christine Halsberghe (Belgium)
  • European surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in companion animal pathogens by Peter Damborg (Denmark)
  • How to save antibiotics. The benefit of cumulative antibiograms Babette Klein (Germany)

   

During the recent FECAVA Council Meeting in Lisbon, a new FECAVA board was elected.
For the next two years, Danny Holmes will lead as the President of FECAVA. Our Board of Directors will ably support him: Denis Novak (Past President), Ann Criel (Vice President), and Stephan Neumann (Treasurer). We are also pleased to announce that Alexandru Vitalaru has joined the FECAVA board for the first time, taking on the role of Secretary General.
We have complete confidence that this team will further elevate our organization.
After 12 years of dedicated service to the organization, Wolfgang Dohne has stepped down from the board. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for his invaluable contributions.

FECAVA Working Groups working behind the scenes
For the duration of the Congress all the FECAVA Working Groups met in person and worked on the activities. All their work is a very valuable contribution for the organization.

A Special Honorary Moment: the Athenian Helmet
During the Congress’s Party, a mysterious group of masked individuals presented a FECAVA traditional Athenian helmet to Dr. Lea Kreszinger. It was rumored that she earned this honor by being exceptional in the FECAVA community. Huge thanks to everyone involved who give their time and energy to contribute to the veterinary profession.

The joint WSAVA/FECAVA Congress undoubtedly provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and recognition within the veterinary community, setting the stage for future advancements in the field.

The next 29th FECAVA EuroCongress will be held in collaboration with the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society in the historic city of Athens from 12th to 14th September 2024.

 

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