Avian influenza and dog bites among topics discussed at world congress

Some 2000 companion animal veterinarians from 70 countries around the world travelled to Prague in October for the 2006 World Congress organised by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association ( wsava ), the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations ( fecava ) and the Czech Small Animal Veterinary Association ( csava ). Like previous world congresses, the meeting featured an extensive scientific programme, with numerous topics relating to companion animal medicine and surgery being covered in several parallel sessions over a period of four days. Among the many presentations was an update on h5n1 avian influenza infection in relation to cats and, as reported on p 614, news of a new educational tool aimed at preventing dog bites in young children