Ultimate Feline

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Catshave always provoked a strong reaction from humans. The Egyptians worshipped them, leaving thousands of feline mummies and idols as evidence. In the Middle Ages, felines were feared as agents of the devil, and were thought to creep around silently at night doing evil. (Notice that feline is also a noun.) The fascinating family called the Felidae includes about 40 species of superb hunters, including the lions, tigers, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, bobcats, and lynxes, and almost all of them are smooth, silent, and independent.

Dr. Gary Whittaker, professor of virology here at the College of Veterinary Medicine in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology has been at the forefront of helping us to better understand how FIP develops. His work, funded in part by the Cornell Feline Health Center, holds tremendous promise to help identify new therapeutic targets to treat FIP and to better diagnose it.

Our Mission: The Cornell Feline Health Center is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of cats everywhere.

We do this through:

Research - Finding ways of preventing and curing diseases of cats by conducting and sponsoring breakthrough feline health studies.

Outreach - Providing timely expert guidance and support when unforeseen feline diseases or health crises emerge.

Education - Educating veterinary professionals, cat owners, breeders and conservationists about feline health by providing timely medical information and by promoting public understanding and awareness of feline issues.

Welcome to the Cat Friendly Veterinarian (CFV) Certificate. The CFV Certificate is the most advanced level of the certificate program and is intended for veterinarians. The additional modules in this program will explore different aspects of feline medicine in order to provide a comprehensive review, as well as tips and strategies for diagnosing, treating, and managing cats. This certificate encompasses all nine education modules and in-depth information on feline health care.

Also, now you can consider engaging the rest of your team in order to help them become more Cat Friendly, and start the discussion to obtain practice-based recognition with the Cat Friendly Practice Program. Learn how to take the First Steps here.

There is a Cat Friendly Certificate for each person within the veterinary profession who sees cats in practice or has an interest in feline behavior, medicine, and welfare. The Cat Friendly Veterinarian Certificate is only offered to veterinarians. The program is offered as an individual certificate to AAFP members and non-members. The certificate helps you stand out, stay current, and make an impression on clients that lasts.

You do not need to be a Cat Friendly Practice to enroll in the certificate program. Obtaining the certificate will help you learn more about being cat friendly and how to start implementing strategies right away. For a current Cat Friendly Practice, the certificate will contribute to your continued learning and offer a new way to on-board staff, train, and provide well-rounded cat friendly information.

Yes! Veterinary students and faculty can receive a 50% discount off of the price of the Certificate program by using one of the discount codes below. Please apply the appropriate coupon for the Certificate Program you are registering for during checkout.

We recommend veterinary students who will be working with cats in a practice setting take the Cat Friendly Veterinary Professional certificate level, and all others take the Cat Friendly Advocate certificate.

You will have 90 days to complete the modules, which includes watching each module, taking a quiz, and earning a passing score of 80% or greater, in order to earn your certificate. Reduced rates are only valid for current veterinary students and faculty with school/university email addresses. Validation is required.

The Cat Friendly Certificate Program is a one-time course that focuses on feline-specific skills and knowledge and offers practical tools for each veterinary staff member. It reinforces your commitment to feline medicine and practice while showcasing your confidence to feline owners. It gives you the tools to properly educate your clients and display your commitment to feline medicine.

The Cat Friendly Certificate Program can make an immediate impact in the way in which you interact with cats and owners! Whether you are a Cat Friendly Practice, in the process to become one, or are not sure if you qualify for the Cat Friendly Practice Program, you can obtain the certificate and learn more about how to become cat friendly and start implementing strategies right away. Front office staff will be able to use their CFVA certificate and take a fresh look at the administrative, waiting room, and client/patient experience. Technicians and nurses can use the tools gained in their CFVP certificate to refine their skills in handling and interacting with their cats and clients. Veterinarians will be able to showcase their in-depth feline knowledge and skills on feline health care.

This Certificate Program is ALL about cats and thus the content is able to go into more depth for feline-specific care and considerations. Many feline experts have contributed to the Program which encompasses a comprehensive collection of the cat friendly tools, resources, and education the AAFP has built over the years. The Cat Friendly Certificate program was created with both professional education and flexibility in mind. The certificate does not expire and will remain with you throughout your career to help you stand out, showcase your interest in feline care, and make an impression. Additionally, more content may be added over time which will be shared with you.

The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) RACE committee has approved this program as meeting the Standards adopted by the AAVSB. The RACE program number for this Individual Certificate Program is 249-44194.

Each module will include a video presentation, followed by a quiz. Supplemental resources are also available for reference. With a passing score of 80% or greater you complete the module and may move on. You may take the quiz as often as you wish. Once all modules are completed, you will earn your certificate which will be available along with your badge and additional resources by logging in at catvets.com/certificateprogram.

The AAFP Practice Guidelines are intended to provide recommendations in order to provide guidance on the standard of feline care. Evidence-based support is cited wherever possible, but from time to time the panel of experts may have differing opinions as noted in a document but will either form a consensus on the recommendations or will state divergent viewpoints based on empirical data if a consensus cannot be attained. These guidelines should be used as recommendations and each practitioner must decide on their own about the treatment protocols based on their professional judgment and an individual case basis for each patient.

The Feline Medical Center is devoted exclusively to cats. Our clients come from Southeast Houston, Texas, and numerous surrounding communities because they count on us to provide top-quality veterinary care in a calm, feline-friendly environment.

We understand that bringing your cat in for a feline preventive care exam can be a stressful experience. That's why, from the moment you walk through our door, you will see that our veterinary hospital is different from the rest. Whether it's a new kitten, a healthy adult cat, or a senior cat with a chronic health condition, our veterinarians and staff have the knowledge and experience to address your pet's unique needs. As active members of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, our veterinarians are educated in the latest developments in feline veterinary medicine.

The FWC is investigating a disorder detected in some Florida panthers and bobcats. Affected animals exhibit varying degrees of rear leg weaknesses that lead to difficulty in walking. The FWC takes this situation seriously and is increasing monitoring efforts to locate affected animals via the deployment of video trail camera in areas where the condition has been most frequently documented. The FWC has termed this condition feline leukomyelopathy or FLM.

The first video footage of an affected kitten was received in the spring of 2018. Further review of earlier still photos suggest that an affected kitten may have been documented in 2017. It was not until 2019 that additional reports were received, suggesting that this is a broader issue.

At this point we do not know for certain; however, we suspect several young panthers have died perhaps because they could not keep up with their family and their ability to catch their own prey or move across the landscape was compromised.

At this point we do not know; however, there is no evidence to suggest it is contagious. For example. we do know of instances where a mother panther is unaffected but some of her kittens are affected.

Since the disorder is determined by examining the spinal cord, we can only confirm it in dead panthers and bobcats. FLM likely impacts the ability to catch prey or successfully cross roads. However, the condition was not the primary cause of death for those individuals.

While numerous diseases and possible causes have been ruled out, a definitive cause has not yet been determined. The FWC is testing for a variety of toxins and pathogens including herbicides and pesticides.

If an affected individual appears unable to survive in the wild, then the FWC would consider capture and removal. Factors to consider include whether a capture is feasible and safe, and whether it could entail the risk of breaking up a family group. A severely affected animal that is captured may be placed in permanent captivity or humanely euthanized.

If the FWC and/or USFWS captures an affected panther, it will be taken to an approved facility where it will receive appropriate care. To the extent possible, diagnostic testing and observation may allow us to learn about the disorder.

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