BSAVA Manual of Feline Practice

by Andrea Harvey (Author), Séverine Tasker (Author)

This new addition to the BSAVA Foundation Manual series servesto provide an easily accessible source of practical advice on themanagement of common feline problems encountered in first-opinionpractice. It begins with an introduction to important generalissues in effective feline practice, including handling techniques,principles of examination and how to ensure a cat-friendlypractice. Gold-standard preventive healthcare guidelines focusingon a life-stage approach and a discussion on therapeutics includingantibiotic use, analgesia and anaesthesia follow. The main part ofthe Manual comprises problem-oriented sections that focus on theinvestigation and initial management of, first, emergencies andthen other common presentations such as alopecia, polydipsia andseizures. The final systems-based section gives more detailedinformation on the management of the disorders commonly seen ingeneral practice.

The Manual gives enough information for any vet to deal verycompetently with commonly seen feline problems, also providingguidance on where to go for further information if required. Whereappropriate, guidelines are also given for when referral should beconsidered, and for situations where financial limitations mayexist.

A unique feature of this Manual are the many ‘QuickReference Guides’ (QRGs) provided throughout , which presentpractical techniques and treatments in easy-to-follow step-by-stepguides, with clear colour photographs illustrating each stepwhenever possible.

The international panel of authors were carefully chosen fortheir practical expertise and passion in different areas of felinepractice. The practical and easy-to-follow advice provided in thisManual makes it essential reading for all new graduates andfirst-opinion vets who see feline cases, as well as veterinarystudents and veterinary nurses worldwide

About the Author
Andrea Harvey BVSc DSAM(Feline) DipECVIM-CAMRCVS
Andrea graduated from the University of Bristol in 2000 and,after some time in small animal practice, returned to Bristol toundertake a 3-year residency in feline medicine, funded by theFeline Advisory Bureau, remaining as FAB Clinical Fellow in FelineMedicine from 2005 to 2010. She has since continued to workclosely with FAB and the International Society of Feline Medicine(ISFM) on various initiatives, particularly the ISFM Cat FriendlyPractice Accreditation scheme. In 2012 she moved toAustralia, where she works as a feline clinician in the SmallAnimal Specialist Hospital, Sydney. Andrea is also the ISFMrepresentative for Australasia, and a tutor on the CVE/ISFMdistance education course in feline medicine. She lectures widelyinternationally and has written numerous articles and bookchapters. Andrea is passionate about all aspects of felinemedicine, health and welfare, and about supporting and inspiringcolleagues in practice to provide the best care for their felinepatients.


Séverine Tasker BSc BVSc(Hons) PhD DSAMDipECVIM-CA PGCertHE MRCVS
After graduation from Bristol Veterinary School in 1994,Séverine spent time in practice working for the PDSA beforemoving to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburghto take up an FAB Residency in Feline Medicine. She returnedto Bristol in 1999, completing her PhD on feline haemoplasmainfection in 2002. She is now a Senior Lecturer in SmallAnimal Medicine at Bristol. Working in the Feline Centre andon the molecular side of the diagnostic services of LangfordVeterinary Services, she is interested in all aspects of felinemedicine, especially infectious diseases and haematologicaldisorders. Séverine adores all things feline andparticularly enjoys teaching veterinary students, nurses andcolleagues a holistic approach to feline cases. She hasauthored over 100 papers and book chapters and has been an invitedspeaker at conferences in Europe, USA and Australasia. In2008 she was awarded the BSAVA Woodrow Award for outstandingcontributions to small animal medicine.