Welcome

The lectures will be held at the historic University of Glasgow (Bute Hall). The scientific programme will include presentations on new ideas in oxygenation, pharmacogenetics, future developments in anaesthesia, MAC and other controversies, ethics and veterinary anaesthesia, reptile anaesthesia and analgesia

To complement the Conference, an exciting social programme is planned. As well as the Welcome Reception, the programme is to include a Traditional Soup and Stovies Evening, Scottish Banquet with Ceilidh and an obligatory Scottish Whisky Distillery Tour.

Message from the Chairman of the Organising Committee:

It may be argued that the internet, and advances in international publishing systems have so increased the rate at which a burgeoning volume of information becomes available, that the international congress has become an anachronism. The expense of long distance travel in terms of time and money – as well as environmental costs, further support this view. However, the internet does not readily allow group discussion on contentious topics to be conducted with the conviviality that can only occur when a group of enthusiasts get together in pleasant surroundings, nor does the internet allow old friendships and acquaintances to be renewed in a setting which makes such acquaintances long-lived. Since the first WCVA in Cambridge in 1981, the World Congress of Veterinary Anaesthesiology has contributed considerably to the exchange of ideas and developments in this speciality between people from all backgrounds and with a wide range of interests and ideas. The organisers of the Xth WCVA believe that Scotland is an ideal place for the continued exchange of ideas in veterinary anaesthesia and invite you all to participate. With this in mind, the scientific committee, chaired tirelessly by Sheilah Robinson, have attempted to weave one concept into all the keynote presentations, and that is 'controversy'. The aim is to provoke thought and discussion and increase the appetite and need for further meetings. As usual, there will be an opportunity for those with the latest information to present to an international audience, while the spouses and guests of delegates will be free (well – perhaps under some degree of control) to enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Scotland.

Several factors led to the choice of Glasgow as the venue for the Xth WCVA, not least the enthusiasm, energy and organisational skills of Derek Flaherty and Pat Pawson. These friends and colleagues, in conjunction with Sheilah Robertson, Karen Blissitt, Adam Auckburally and Jules Mansel have organised a meeting that I hope will dispel the notion that the International Congress is a thing of the past.

I look forward to meeting you all in Scotland next year.