Manasquan, NJ (April 23, 2007) — Winn Feline Foundation President Susan Little, DVM, DABVP (Feline), announces the agenda for the 29th Winn Feline Foundation Symposium to be held on Thursday, June 28, 2007, 4:00-6:30 PM, in Austin, TX. Held in conjunction with the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) meeting, the annual symposium continues to feature distinguished speakers who are well known for their knowledge of cat-related issues. Registrations for the event can be made online: http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/Pages/WinnSymposium.html.
David Maggs, BVSc, DACVO will be presenting an “Update on Feline Herpesvirus.” A veterinary graduate of the University of Melbourne, Australia in 1988, Dr. Maggs completed small animal and equine internships at Colorado State University, and a comparative ophthalmology residency at the University of Missouri, where he remained on faculty before joining the University of California-Davis (UCD). He is now Professor of Comparative Ophthalmology at UCD. Dr. Maggs’ special interests include ophthalmic surgery and infectious ocular disease, particularly feline herpesvirus.
Though vaccines are readily available for the disease, feline herpesvirus remains a major, common, and frustrating infection of cats worldwide. Dr. Maggs will discuss how herpesvirus is diagnosed, treated, and the control strategies that can be employed in multi-cat facilities.
Steve Dale, Certified Behavior Consultant, will discuss “Kitten Kindergarten,” a new and fascinating approach to socializing kittens. Mr. Dale is the author of the twice-weekly syndicated newspaper column, “My Pet World” (Tribune Media Services). He is also the host of the syndicated radio programs, Steve Dale’s Pet World, The Pet Minute with Steve Dale, and Pet Central, at WGN Radio, Chicago. Steve is a contributing editor at USA Weekend, and his books include American Zoos and DogGone Chicago. Steve is certified as a Behavior Consultant by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and he is the recipient of many awards, including the prestigious AVMA Humane Award. He recently joined the Board of Directors of Winn Feline Foundation.
As Steve states, “A kitten’s mind is a terrible thing to waste.” He will discuss how Kitty Kindergarten classes can help boost the confidence of kittens, and acclimatize them to things such as cat carriers, travel, and the new sights, sounds, and smells they’ll encounter in their adult lives.