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 virology

ABCD FIP diagnostic tool

Machine 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: PMC13120026

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

Speaker:
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 management

Host:
Kelly St. Denis, MSc, DVM, DABVP (Feline), Co-editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery and JFMS Open Reports
Speakers:
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 cats

MyElanco - Elanco Resources for Veterinary Professionals
IRIS Kidney Disease Guidelines & Staging System

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

Speakers:
Natalie Finch, BVSc, PhD, DipECVIM-CA, FRCVS, European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine, RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine

Samantha 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 cats

Sarcopenia, cachexia and frailty in older cats: mechanisms, assessment and therapeutic considerations

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

Speaker:
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 2

2024 RECOVER Guidelines

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

Speaker:
Nicki Reed, BVM&S CertVR CertSAM DipECVIM-CA DSAM(Feline) FRCVS, Internal Medicine & Feline Specialist