Chattering with iCatCare

In the June episode of Chattering With International Cat Care, host Yaiza Gómez-Mejías continues two insightful conversations from earlier this year, revisiting complex topics in feline internal medicine and dermatology through the lens of recent clinical guidelines and case experience. First, Sam Taylor and Rachel Korman return to discuss further aspects of the 2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of feline lower urinary tract disease. Building on their previous conversation, they explore how clinical decisions are made in practice and reflect on how guideline recommendations translate into everyday patient care. To hear the first part of this discussion, listen back to our February 2025 episode. Then, Dr Kelly St. Denis is joined once again by Dr Frane Banovic to complete their discussion on immune-mediated skin diseases in cats, drawing on the second of two JFMS Clinical Spotlight articles. Together, they consider some of the key challenges in recognising and managing these conditions, and share insights into treatment options informed by both evidence and experience. For the first half of this conversation, revisit our April 2025 episode. For further reading material please visit: 2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of lower urinary tract diseases in cats [https://go.jfms.com/2025_GLs_urinary_tract_disease] Frane Banovic : Feline Immune-mediated skin disorders (Part One) [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/1098612X251323413] Frane Banovic : Feline Immune-mediated skin disorders (Part Two) [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/1098612X251323424] Host:  Yaiza Gómez-Mejías, LdaVet MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats) CertAP (SAM-F) Acr AVEPA, Veterinary Community Co-ordinator Speakers: Samantha Taylor, BVetMed(Hons), CertSAM, DipECVIM-CA, MANZCVS, FRCVS, Feline Medicine Specialist and ISFM Academy Lead Rachel Korman, BVSc, MANZCVS (Int Med), FANZCVS (Fel Med), Specialist in Feline Internal Medicine  Kelly St. Denis, MSc, DVM, DABVP (Feline), Co-editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery and JFMS Open Reports, St Denis Veterinary Professional Corporation, Powassan, Ontario, Canada Frane Banovic, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ECVD, Associate Professor of Veterinary Dermatology in the Department for Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine.

In the May episode of Chattering with International Cat Care, host Yaiza Gómez-Mejías introduces two expert-led conversations that bring the internal workings of the cat into sharp focus - from complications at birth to techniques for examining the feline fundus. First, Dr Petra Černá and Professor Danièlle Gunn-Moore discuss their JFMS article on dystocia and kitten mortality in pedigree cats. They describe the most common types of dystocia, reflect on breed-related risk factors, and share practical considerations from both clinical and breeding perspectives. Then, Dr Natalia Giannakopoulou and Dr Ben Blacklock offer hands-on advice from their recent Clinical Spotlight article on fundoscopy in cats. They cover how to build confidence with the ophthalmoscope, recommend suitable lenses for general practice, and explain how to approach the feline fundus methodically to avoid common diagnostic pitfalls. For further reading material please visit: Feline dystocia and kitten mortality up to 12 weeks in pedigree cats [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/1098612X241284766] Fundoscopy in cats: a practical guide and common findings [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X251338463] 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) CertAP (SAM-F) Acr AVEPA, Veterinary Community Co-ordinator Speakers: Petra Černá, PhD DACVIM (SAIM) MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats), Feline medicine specialist, PhD candidate at Colorado State University, FIFe International and allbreed judge. Danièlle Gunn-Moore, BSc (Hon), BVM&S, PhD, MANZCVS (feline), FHEA, FRSB, FRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine, The Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh Natalia Giannakopoulou, DVM, PGCertSAO, MRCVS, Resident in Veterinary Ophthalmology (The Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies) Ben Blacklock, BVSc, DipECVO, SFHEA, MRCVS, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Ophthamology

In the April episode of Chattering with International Cat Care, host Yaiza Gómez-Mejías introduces two conversations that highlight just how complex feline diagnostics can be. First, Dr Llibertat Real Sampietro discusses her JFMS Open Reports case study on fatal disseminated toxoplasmosis in an otherwise healthy cat. She outlines the parasite’s transmission, the clinical signs that may raise suspicion, and the value of serology and PCR in confirming infection. Then, Dr Kelly St Denis is joined by Dr Frane Banovic to discuss the first of two JFMS Clinical Spotlight articles on immune-mediated skin disease in cats. Together, they explore how to recognise key patterns of disease and the practical role of cytology in reaching a diagnosis. For further reading material please visit: Fatal disseminated Toxoplasma gondii infection in a cat from Madrid, Spain [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/20551169241298746] Frane Banovic : Feline Immune-mediated skin disorders (Part One) [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/1098612X251323413] Frane Banovic : Feline Immune-mediated skin disorders (Part Two) [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/1098612X251323424] For iCatCare Veterinary Members, full recordings of each episode of the podcast are available for you to listen to at portal.icatcare.org. [https://portal.icatcare.org/login] To become an iCatCare Veterinary Member, or find out more about our Cat Friendly schemes, visit icatcare.org [https://icatcare.org/] Host:  Yaiza Gómez-Mejías, LdaVet MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats) CertAP (SAM-F) Acr AVEPA, Veterinary Community Co-ordinator Speakers: Llibertat Real Sampietro, DVM Acre AVEPA in Feline Medicine, Clínica Veterinaria Ayavet, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain Kelly St. Denis, MSc, DVM, DABVP (Feline), Co-editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery and JFMS Open Reports, St Denis Veterinary Professional Corporation, Powassan, Ontario, Canada Frane Banovic, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ECVD, Associate Professor of Veterinary Dermatology in the Department for Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine

In the March episode of Chattering with International Cat Care, host Yaiza Gómez-Mejías explores the nutritional management of comorbidities in cats and the specialisation of feline medicine. Yaiza interviews Dr Rachel Korman about the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists’ feline chapter and its recognised postgraduate qualification. Dr Korman discusses the chapter’s objectives, examination format, preparation strategies, and global reach. The episode also features Dr Cecilia Villaverde, who examines the challenges and strategies involved in dietary management for cats with multiple health conditions. She emphasises the importance of a thorough nutritional assessment and the complexities of balancing dietary needs in these cases. For further reading material please visit: ANZCVS Membership Exam on Medicine of Cats UK [https://www.anzcvs.org.au/membership/medicine-of-cats-uk/] Feline Comorbidities: A nutritional approach to management [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1098612X251320877] WSAVA Nutrition Toolkit  [https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/WSAVA-Global-Nutrition-Toolkit-English.pdf] 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 [https://icatcare.org/] Host:  Yaiza Gómez-Mejías,LdaVet MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats) CertAP (SAM-F), Veterinary Community Co-ordinator Speakers: Rachel Korman, BVSc, MANZCVS (Int Med), FANZCVS (Fel Med), Specialist in Feline Internal Medicine  Cecilia Villaverde, BVSc, PhD, DECVCN, DACVIM (Nutrition), Diplomate (Nutrition) of the ACVIM (Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionist®), Diplomate ECVCN (EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition)

In the February episode of Chattering With International Cat Care, host Yaiza Gómez-Mejías discusses the new consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of feline lower urinary tract disease in cats with authors Sam Taylor and Rachel Korman. They discuss the challenges and nuances of developing these guidelines and emphasize the importance of comprehensive history-taking for accurate diagnosis. Additionally, Sarah Ellis interviews Noema Gajdoš Kmecová, the winner of the International Cat Care Welfare Research Award, about her study on the Home Feline Stress Score (HFSS). Gajdoš explains how her research, inspired by a previous study, highlights the connection between physical and mental health in cats, advocating for a holistic approach to feline veterinary care. For further reading material please visit: 2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of lower urinary tract diseases in cats [https://go.jfms.com/2025_GLs_urinary_tract_disease]. Development of the home feline stress score as a tool for assessing owner perception of stress in their cats at home [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/1098612X221118780] (Pg 6 / e440) - This study inspired Noema and explores how owners can evaluate stress in their cats 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) CertAP (SAM-F) Acr AVEPA, Veterinary Community Co-ordinator Speakers: Samantha Taylor, BVetMed(Hons), CertSAM, DipECVIM-CA, MANZCVS, FRCVS, Feline Medicine Specialist and ISFM Academy Lead Rachel Korman, BVSc, MANZCVS (Int Med), FANZCVS (Fel Med), Specialist in Feline Internal Medicine  Sarah Ellis,BSc, PGDip, PhD,Head of Cat Wellbeing and Behaviour at International Cat Care, independent feline welfare educator, writer and consultant. Noema Gajdoš Kmecová, MVDr., PhD, Researcher at University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice