From Big Cats to Breakthroughs - Emerging Diseases & New Therapeutics

In the October episode of Chattering With International Cat Care, we spotlight progress and innovation in feline clinical medicine through two compelling conversations.

First, Sam Taylor speaks with Gabriele Ratti, winner of the ABCD Young Scientist Award, about his research into emerging infectious threats in cats. They explore the shifting landscape of feline infectious diseases, the challenges of studying both unowned and wild felids, and the critical role of prevention and biosecurity across species and settings.

Then, Kelly St. Denis is joined by William Whitehouse and Katrina Viviano to discuss their recent JFMS article on feline clinical therapeutics. Together, they unpack new developments in pain management, drug therapies for conditions like FIP, HCM, and chronic kidney disease, and what these advances mean for veterinary teams and cat caregivers. From once-untreatable diagnoses to evolving best practices, this conversation highlights how ongoing research is reshaping feline care.

For further reading material please visit:

Molecular Detection of Feline Coronavirus in Captive Non-Domestic Felids from Zoological Facilities

Further Research From Gabriele Ratti

Clinical therapeutics in feline medicine: updates for old and new drugs

View The Transcript Here

For iCatCare Veterinary Members, full recordings of each episode of the podcast are available for you to listen to at portal.icatcare.org. To become an iCatCare Veterinary Member, or find out more about our Cat Friendly schemes, visit icatcare.org

Host:

Yaiza Gómez-Mejías, LdaVet MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats), RCVS CertAP (Feline Medicine), iCatCare Veterinary Community Co-ordinator

Speakers:

Sam Taylor, BVetMed(Hons) CertSAM DipECVIM FRCV, Veterinary Specialist Consultant and Veterinary Specialist Lead at iCatCare

Gabriele Ratti, DVM, PhD, ECVM resident, Veterinary microbiologist with experience in diagnostics and research focused on infectious diseases

Kelly St. Denis, DVM, Dipl.ABVP, Co-editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery and JFMS Open Reports and board-certified feline specialist

William Whitehouse, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), Assistant Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine

Katrina Viviano, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM), DACVCP, Head of Small Animal Internal Medicine