Chattering with iCatCare

In the November open access episode of Chattering With iCatCare, Yaiza Gómez-Mejías is joined by Professor Margaret Hosie to explore a landmark JFMS special collection on feline virology, offering practical, evidence-based guidance for managing viral infections when gold-standard diagnostics or treatments are out of reach.They discuss why an FIV diagnosis should never be treated as an automatic death sentence, how to navigate client queries around off-label antivirals for feline leukaemia virus, and unexpected dietary and lifestyle risks linked to emerging avian influenza outbreaks. Margaret also outlines accessible, cost-effective diagnostic pathways for suspected FIP, practical alternatives when first-line antivirals are unavailable, and the key clinical biomarkers clinicians can track to evaluate whether treatment courses can be safely shortened.For further reading material please visit:Feline clinical virologyABCD FIP diagnostic toolMachine learning for effusive FIP: Dunbar DE, Babayan SA, Krumrie S, Rennie S, Waugh EM, Hosie MJ, Weir W. Applying Supervised Machine Learning to Effusion Analysis for the Diagnosis of Feline Infectious Peritonitis. Bioengineering (Basel). 2026 Jan 23;13(2):127. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering13020127. PMID: 41749667; PMCID: PMC12937978.Machine learning for non-effusive FIP: Dunbar D, Babayan SA, Krumrie S, Haining H, Hosie MJ, Weir W. Assessing the feasibility of applying machine learning to diagnosing non-effusive feline infectious peritonitis. Sci Rep. 2024 Jan 30;14(1):2517. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-52577-4. PMID: 38291072; PMCID: PMC10827733.Update on Treatment of Feline Infectious Peritonitis: European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD) Guidelines. Tasker S, Spiri AM, Hartmann K, Addie DD, Belák S, Bergmann M, Egberink H, Frymus T, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Marsilio F, Pennisi MG, Thiry E, Truyen U, Boucraut-Baralon C, Möstl K, Hosie MJ. Viruses. 2026 Apr 9;18(4):452. doi: 10.3390/v18040452. PMID: 42043241; PMCID: PMC13120026Host:Yaiza Gómez-Mejías, LdaVet MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats), RCVS CertAP (Feline Medicine), iCatCare Veterinary Community Co-ordinatorSpeaker:Margaret Hosie, BSc, BVM&S, PhD, MRCVS, Professor of Comparative Virology at the University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research

In the October open access episode of Chattering With iCatCare, Dr Kelly St Denis is joined by Dr Joseph Evans and Dr Ronald Li to explore the clinical approach to feline haemostasis, clotting disorders, and thrombotic risk in general practice.They review the traditional phases of haemostasis, why cats are uniquely predisposed to hypercoagulable states, and how thrombotic conditions commonly present. Joseph and Ronald also discuss the rationale behind dual-pathway antithrombotic strategies, practical tips for troubleshooting automated platelet clumping, and essential sample-handling techniques to prevent artificial test results when sending samples to external laboratories.For further reading material please visit:JFMS Clinical Spotlight: Clotting and coagulation disorders in cats: a clinical review of causes, diagnosis and managementHost:Kelly St. Denis, MSc, DVM, DABVP (Feline), Co-editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery and JFMS Open ReportsSpeakers:Joseph Evans, DVM,Emergency & Critical Care Clinician, North Carolina State University Ronald Li,DVM, MVetMed, PhD, DACVECC, Associate Professor of Emergency & Critical Care, North Carolina State University

In the September open access episode of Chattering With iCatCare, sponsored by Elanco, Yaiza Gómez-Mejías is joined by feline specialists Natalie Finch and Sam Taylor to introduce the new consensus guidelines on feline chronic kidney disease. Reflecting on a decade of progress, the conversation explores how our approach to diagnosis, risk factors, and long-term care has evolved.They discuss why standard SDMA cutoffs can be misleading in older patients, the crucial distinction between two commonly confused renal stone conditions, and how certain renal diets might unexpectedly trigger hypercalcaemia. Natalie and Sam also highlight novel therapeutic options for CKD anaemia, explore the gut microbiome's role in uraemic toxin buildup, and share why moving from reactive care to proactive screening transforms patient outcomes.For further reading material please visit:2026 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of chronic kidney disease in catsMyElanco - Elanco Resources for Veterinary ProfessionalsIRIS Kidney Disease Guidelines & Staging SystemHost:Yaiza Gómez-Mejías, LdaVet MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats), RCVS CertAP (Feline Medicine), iCatCare Veterinary Community Co-ordinatorSpeakers:Natalie Finch, BVSc, PhD, DipECVIM-CA, FRCVS, European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine, RCVS Specialist in Feline MedicineSamantha Taylor, BVetMed(Hons), CertSAM, DipECVIM-CA, FRCVS, Veterinary Specialist Consultant and Veterinary Specialist Lead at iCatCare

In the August open access episode of Chattering With iCatCare, Yaiza Gómez-Mejías is joined by veterinary nutritionist Marge Chandler to explore the critical concepts of sarcopenia, cachexia, and frailty in older cats. The conversation focuses on shifting our approach to feline geriatrics, moving beyond the simple concept of the "thin old cat" towards proactive clinical management and preserving quality of life.They explore the key clinical distinctions between sarcopenia and cachexia, why measuring frailty is vital for feline well-being, and how concepts like anabolic resistance challenge traditional dietary advice for senior cats. Marge also addresses common hurdles clinicians face when implementing muscle condition scoring and shares practical, high-impact strategies to help slow muscle loss in everyday practice. For further reading material please visit:A non-randomized pilot study to test the feasibility of developing a frailty scale for pet catsSarcopenia, cachexia and frailty in older cats: mechanisms, assessment and therapeutic considerationsHost:Yaiza Gómez-Mejías, LdaVet MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats), RCVS CertAP (Feline Medicine), iCatCare Veterinary Community Co-ordinatorSpeaker:Marjorie Chandler, DVM, MS, MANZCVS, Diplomate DACVIM (Nutrition & Internal Medicine), MRCVS, RCVS Recognized Specialist in Nutrition

In the July open access episode of Chattering With iCatCare, Yaiza Gómez-Mejías is joined once again by feline specialist Nicki Reed to continue navigating the high-pressure world of feline medical emergencies. This second part shifts focus towards managing other challenging, high-stakes medical crises frequently encountered in general practice.They explore how to optimise positioning for the seizuring patient, why certain clinical markers can predict severe hyperkalemia in blocked cats before catheterisation, and how to spot the elusive signs of antifreeze toxicity. Nicki also breaks down the unique challenges of managing euglycaemic DKA following the rise of SGLT2 inhibitors and shares essential steps for making emergency referral transport as safe as possible.For further reading material please visit:Rational approach to feline medical emergencies: part 22024 RECOVER GuidelinesHost:Yaiza Gómez-Mejías, LdaVet MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats), RCVS CertAP (Feline Medicine), iCatCare Veterinary Community Co-ordinatorSpeaker:Nicki Reed, BVM&S CertVR CertSAM DipECVIM-CA DSAM(Feline) FRCVS, Internal Medicine & Feline Specialist

In the June open access episode of Chattering With iCatCare, Yaiza Gómez-Mejías is joined by Mariana Lopes and Joanna Morris to explore feline oncology and the practical roadmap for using oral chemotherapy agents in general practice.  The conversation focuses on providing realistic treatment options for patients where referral may not be accessible, highlighting how oral protocols can achieve efficacy and maintain quality of life within a primary care setting. They also discuss why cats must not be treated as small dogs regarding drug toxicity and the specific challenges of monitoring feline patients who often hide side effects.For further reading material please visit:Oral chemotherapy agents in cats: clinical uses, administration and side effectsView the TranscriptHost:Yaiza Gómez-Mejías, LdaVet MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats), RCVS CertAP (Feline Medicine), iCatCare Veterinary Community Co-ordinatorSpeakers:Mariana Lopes, DVM, MSc, MVM, MRCVS, DipECVIM-CA (Onc), European Specialist in Small Animal Oncology, University of GlasgowJoanna Morris, BSc, BVSc, PhD, FRCVS, FHEA, DipECVIM-CA (Onc), Professor of Veterinary Oncology, University of Glasgow

In the May open access episode of Chattering With iCatCare, Yaiza Gómez-Mejías is joined by feline specialist Nicki Reed to navigate the high-pressure world of feline medical emergencies. This episode focuses on the critical first seconds of triage and the stabilization of cats in respiratory and circulatory distress.Together, they explore why the "piecemeal" exam is a vital tool for the dyspneic patient and how the latest RECOVER guidelines have updated our approach to feline CPR. Nicki highlights the specific ways cats differ from dogs in shock and explains how point-of-care tools can help you make life-saving decisions before a full workup begins.For further reading material please visit:Rational approach to feline medical emergencies: part 12024 RECOVER GuidelinesView the TranscriptNote on Feline CPR: A quick clarification - while standard RECOVER guidelines recommend 2-minute cycles, the guest notes that the two-thumb encircling technique can be physically demanding. If you find your hands fatiguing after 1 minute, it is best to swap early to ensure high-quality, effective compressions are sustainedHost:Yaiza Gómez-Mejías, LdaVet MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats), RCVS CertAP (Feline Medicine), iCatCare Veterinary Community Co-ordinatorSpeaker:Nicki Reed, BVM&S CertVR CertSAM DipECVIM-CA DSAM(Feline) FRCVS, Internal Medicine & Feline Specialist

In the April open access episode of Chattering With International Cat Care, Kelly St Denis is joined by Dr Amanda Coleman and Dr Bianca Lourenço to explore feline comorbidities, focusing on the relationship between cardiovascular and kidney disease.Together, they discuss the concept of the cardiorenal axis and the challenges of recognising and managing cases where these systems interact. The conversation highlights key considerations around diagnosis, treatment decisions, and balancing fluid therapy in complex patients.For further reading material please visit:Feline comorbidities: cardiovascular and kidney diseasesView The Transcript HereHost:Kelly St. Denis, MSc, DVM, DABVP (Feline), Co-editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery and JFMS Open Reports & Guideline co-chairSpeaker:Amanda Coleman, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), Professor at University of GeorgiaBianca Lourenço, DVM, MSc, PhD, DACVIM, Assistant Professor at University of Georgia

In the March open access episode of Chattering With International Cat Care, Yaiza Gómez-Mejías is joined by Dr Mark Lowrie to discuss his recent Clinical Spotlight Review in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery on epileptic seizures in cats.Together, they explore how signalment, careful neurological examination, and thorough metabolic screening shape the diagnostic pathway. The conversation highlights common pitfalls - including interpreting postictal changes, differentiating seizures from syncope or paroxysmal dyskinesia, and deciding when advanced imaging is warranted - offering practical guidance to help clinicians approach seizuring cats with clarity and confidence.For further reading material please visit:Epileptic seizures in cats: practical approaches to diagnosisView The Transcript HereHost:Yaiza Gómez-Mejías, LdaVet MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats), RCVS CertAP (Feline Medicine), iCatCare Veterinary Community Co-ordinatorSpeaker:Mark Lowrie, MA, VetMB, MVM, DipECVN, MRCVS, Director at Movement Referrals and Specialist in Veterinary Neurology

In the February open access episode of Chattering With International Cat Care, Yaiza Gómez-Mejías is joined by Sandra Guillén to discuss her latest JFMS article entitled ’Cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes in cats: a comparative clinical review.’Together, they explore how certain feline skin presentations can act as early warning signs of internal disease, discussing key clinical patterns, diagnostic reasoning, and why these cases are so easy to miss. The conversation highlights practical take-home messages for recognising when a dermatological problem may be signalling something far more serious beneath the surface.For further reading material please visit:Cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes in cats: a comparative clinical review.View The Transcript HereHost:Yaiza Gómez-Mejías, LdaVet MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats), RCVS CertAP (Feline Medicine), iCatCare Veterinary Community Co-ordinatorSpeaker:Sandra (Alexandra) Guillén, DVM DipECVIM-CA (Oncology) PGCert (VetEd) FHEA MRCVS, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Oncology