The Cornell Feline Health Center (FHC) recently hosted the 38th annual Fred Scott Feline Symposium at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine during the final full weekend of July. Organized by FHC in collaboration with Continuing Education and Educational Support Services, the symposium also included an off-site visit to the neighboring Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

“We were honored and excited to host a truly outstanding program,” said Bruce Kornreich, D.V.M. '92, Ph.D. '05, DACVIM, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center. “The combination of outstanding speakers, engaged and dedicated attendees, unique educational, networking, and recreational activities, and a broad reach across both clinically applicable and research topics continues to make this conference one of the premier continuing education opportunities for feline practitioners.”

Cornell researchers, clinicians and experts from across the country presented on a wide range of important feline health topics over a three-day stretch. Sessions included findings from the Cornell Feline Health Center Feline H5N1 Surveillance Consortium, lectures on blood smear examination and diagnostic imaging, an in-depth exploration of feline diabetes, updates on feline behavior support and more.

Back-to-back interactive pathology sessions provided direct learning through real-time necropsies and detailed discussions of feline disease cases. Attendees considered diagnostic testing options, reviewed underlying disease processes and explored connections between gross and microscopic findings.

A total of 335 attendees registered for this year’s symposium, including 228 virtual participants from 22 countries. International attendees joined from countries including Egypt, Hungary, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Scotland, Nepal, Indonesia and France. The event also marked the fourth consecutive symposium in which on-site registration surpassed 90 attendees, with approximately 110 in-person participants representing 14 states, including New Mexico, Michigan and Texas.

Beyond the educational sessions, on-site attendees enjoyed chair massages, guided meditation, tours of the Cornell University Hospital for Animals and live music during a dinner at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. FHC members attending in person also received access to exclusive, case-based feline cardiology rounds presented by Dr. Kornreich.

For additional coverage of this year's symposium and everything else related to feline health, follow Cornell Feline Health Center social media. 

Photos by John Enright and Junelle King, Cornell Feline Health Center

 

Dr. Tracy Stokol, professor in the department of population medicine and diagnostic sciences at Cornell University, delivered back-to-back interactive lectures on blood smear interpretation and feline cytology.

 

Dr. Ryan Taylor, assistant clinical professor in the department of population medicine and diagnostic sciences at Cornell University, presented interactive feline cases during two Show and Tell sessions at this year's symposium.

 

An attendee looks on during the first lecture of the symposium. The opening lecture is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Jim Richards, former director of the Cornell Feline Health Center. 

 

Dr. Tracy Geiger, clinical professor of radiation oncology at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, gave select guests a tour of the Cornell University College Hospital for Animals radiation oncology suite.

 

Fred Scott Feline Symposium participants used the weekend to show off their feline-centric fashion and accessories, including bags, shirts, shoes and more.

 

Attendees enjoyed a presentation focused on post-adoption behavior support for cats by Matthew Mason, a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner with the Cornell Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior.

 

Dr. Thomas Schermerhorn, professor of small animal internal medicine and the Morgan K “Al” Jarvis Chair in Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, served as keynote speaker and gave several important updates on feline diabetes.

 

Symposium attendees had the opportunity to enjoy refreshing chair massages between sessions at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

 

Guests enjoyed delicious food and live music at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology after the conclusion of lectures. The dinner showcased the continuous collaboration between the lab and the Cornell Feline Health Center in an effort to improve the lives of both cats and birds.

 

Bruce Kornreich, D.V.M. '92, Ph.D. '05, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center, presents Dr. Erin NeMoyer with an Ithaca-themed gift basket following a raffle drawing on the final day of the symposium.