Editors' Note: Bringing the world to you

We know that you turn to our pages for the latest clinical information, and we're always striving to make sure we meet your expectations. One way to do so is by attending veterinary conferences to see what topics are most important to attendees. In early May, I attended the 30th Annual World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress in Mexico City. The congress was a perfect fit—those attending were all predominantly companion-animal practitioners, and companion animals are, of course, our focus as well.

The Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacán.

While there, I attended a couple of the seminars presented by two authors who contribute to this journal. It was standing room only for Dr. Karen Tobias' discussion titled "Abdominal and gastrointestinal surgery: Tips and tricks." (Dr. Tobias will be writing on this very subject for Veterinary Medicine.) I also attended a seminar by our editorial advisory board member Dr. Karen Overall. Her discussion on what pharmacologic treatments are available and appropriate for behavior problems was equally well-attended.

Other authors we work with were speaking as well, including Drs. Clarke Atkins, Guillermo Couto, Barbara Kitchell, and Fred Metzger. And the conference topics covered the crucial information you expect at all conferences and in the pages of Veterinary Medicine—orthopedics, critical care, exotic-animal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, endoscopy, behavior, dentistry.

The world of companion-animal practice is a small world. I spoke with dozens of practitioners during the congress, most of whom were from Mexico. Your neighbors to the south, and worldwide, are all looking for great insights to make them better practitioners—whether that is through journals or conferences. And the people they look to for advice are many of the same ones you look to as well. We are honored that we are able to work with authors that draw worldwide interest.

Of course, we couldn't resist doing a little sight-seeing while in Mexico. One of the highlights was a visit to Teotihuacán, which features the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, about an hour's drive outside of Mexico City. According to a guidebook I read, legend says all arts and skills as well as wisdom originated there. A fitting place to absorb the latest in veterinary medicine!

Mindy Valcarcel