2001
MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES
MEDICINE OF CATS
ELIGIBILITY
As stated in Section 2 of the “The Red Book”.
DESCRIPTION OF SUBJECT
The candidate should study the following, with particular attention being paid to pathophysiology and
the approach to clinical problem solving.
Feline nutritional requirements and nutritional disorders
Infectious diseases – viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic disorders.
Diseases of the alimentary system
Diseases of the liver and pancreas
Diseases of the respiratory system
Diseases of the cardiovascular system
Diseases of the haematopoetic system
Muskuloskeletal diseases
Diseases of the nervous system, the eye and the ear
Diseases of the genitourinary system
Diseases of the skin
Endocrine and metabolic disorders
Genetic disorders
Disorders of fluid and electrolyte balance, acidosis and alkalosis
Fluid therapy
Behavioural disorders
Toxicities (chemical and biological)
Neoplasia and tumour therapy (including cytotoxic therapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and
cryotherapy)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES.
The candidate will be expected to demonstrate an extensive knowledge of the diseases and disorders
of cats and of the physiology and nutrition of the healthy cat.
EXAMINATION
See section 10 of the Red Book.
Section One
The written examination will consist of 2 x 2 hour papers.
In the first paper, the candidate will write notes on or discuss basic principles and concepts of feline
medicine ( e.g. physiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology).
In the second paper, the candidate will be expected to apply these principles through clinical problem
solving and written discussion of the diagnosis and management of clinical syndromes.
Section Two
The oral examination will last approximately one hour and will cover all aspects of feline medicine.
The candidate will be expected to apply his or her theoretical knowledge of feline medicine to clinical
problem solving. Visual aids including radiographs, images of cats (eg slides, videos) and ultrasound
images are likely to be used during this examination.
RECOMMENDED READING LIST
TEXTBOOKS
Core Texts
The Cat – Diseases and Clinical Management, Vol.1 and 2, Sherding R.G. 2nd Edition. W.B.
Saunders, Philadelphia 1994.
August J. Consultations in Feline Internal Medicine, 3rd Edition. WB Saunders 1997.
(4th Edition available early 2001.)
Diseases of the Cat. Vol 1. Holzworth J 1987. W.B.Saunders Philadephia.
Feline Medicine and Therapeutics. Chandler E.A. et al. 1996 2nd Edition Blackwell Science (UK).
Additional Reference Sources
General Medicine
Essentials of Small Animal Internal Medicine. Nelson R.W., Couto C.G., 2nd Edition Mosby, St Louis
1998.
Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Ettinger S.J. (ed.) 5th Edition. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia
2000.
Current Veterinary Therapy, Kirk R.W.(ed). W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia. Recent issues (eg CVT
XII, CVT XIII).
Dermatology
Muller & Kirk’s Small Animal Dermatology. D.W. Scott. 2000 6th Edition. W.B. Saunders,
Philadelphia.
A Practical Guide to Feline Dermatology. Guaguere E & Prelaud P. 2000. Merial
Gastroenterology
Strombeck’s Small animal Gastroenterology. W.G.Guildford, S.A.Center. 1996 3rd Edition.
W.B.Saunders, Philadelphia.
Handbook of Small Animal Gastroenterology. T.Tams 1995 W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia.
Endocrinology
Canine and Feline Endocrinology and Reproduction. Feldman E.C. and Nelson R.S. 2nd Edition 1996.
W.B.Saunders, Philadelphia.
Oncology
Small Animal Clinical Oncology. S.J.Withrow & E.G.MacEwen. 2nd Edition 1995. W.B.Saunders.
Manual of Small Animal Oncology, R.A.S White (ed). BSAVA 1991.
Cardiology
Textbook of Canine and Feline Cardiology: Principles and Clinical Practice, Fox P.R. & Sisson D.
Reissued 2nd Edition 1999 W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia.
Small Animal Cardiovascular Medicine. Kittledson M.D., Kinele R.D. Mosby-Year Book. St Louis,
1998.
Immunology
Clinical Immunology of the Dog and Cat. M.J.Day Manson Publishing 1999.
Essential Immuology. Roit (current edition).
Cellular and Molecular Immunology. Abbas A.K et al, 3rd Edition, W.B.Saunders, Philadelphia, 1997.
Infectious Diseases
Infectious Diseases of the dog and Cat. Green, C.e. 2nd Edition. W.B.Saunders, Philadelphia, 1998.
Neurology
Handbook of Veterinary Neurology. Oliver, J and Lorenz, M. 3rd Edition, W.B.Saunders,
Philadelphia, 1997.
Problems in small Animal Neurology. Chrisman, C.S. Lea & Febiger, 2nd Edition, Philadelphia, 1991.
Manual of Small Animal Neurology. S.J.Wheeler (ed). BSAVA 1989.
Clinical Pathology
Manual of Small Animal clinical Pathology (BSAVA) M.G.Davidson (Ed), R.W.Else (ed) &
J.H.Lumsden. Iowa State University Press, 1998.
Small Animal Diagnosis by Laboratory Methods. M.D.Willard et al, 3rd Edition, W.B.Saunders,
Philadelphia, 1999.
Nutrition
The Waltham Book of Clinical Nutrition of the Dog and Cat. Josephine Wills (Ed), K.Simpson (ed).
Butterworth-Heinemann, 1994.
The Waltham Book of Companion Animal Nutrition. Burger. Butterworth-Heinemann, 1996.
Canine and Feline Nutrition. L.P Case & D.P.Carey. Mosby, 2nd Edition, 2000.
Physiology
Textbook of Medical Physiology. Guyton A.C., Hall J.E., 9th Edition,1996. W.B.Saunders,
Philadelphia.
Medical Physiology. Ganong, Current edition.
Journals
Journal of the Americal Veterinary Medical Association
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
Journal of Small Animal Practice
Compendium of Continuing Education for the Practising Veterinarian
Veterinary Clinics of North America
Australian Veterinary Journal
Australian Veterinary Practitioner
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
American Journal of Veterinary Research
Further Information
The Feline Chapter/Mentor
Useful web-sites:
Veterinary Information Network www.vin.com
Post Graduate foundation web-site, contains useful radiologic and ophthalmologic cases
www.medeserv.com.au/pgf
Cardiology cases www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/cardio/cases/
Medline (for reference retrieval) www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Pubmed