In this special episode of Chattering With International Cat Care, sponsored by Orion Animal Health, iCatCare’s Yaiza Gómez Mejías and Laura Watson are joined by Dr Sarah Heath to explore the clinical relevance of emotional health in feline practice.

Drawing on decades of experience, Dr Heath outlines the principles of the Heath Model - a framework that integrates emotional, cognitive, and physical health as core components of veterinary care. Using accessible tools she offers practical ways to identify emotional bias and arousal in cats, even within time-limited consults. The conversation moves from subtle behavioural cues and their diagnostic value, to the role of veterinary nurses in emotional assessments and client communication.

Rather than treating behaviour as an afterthought, this episode challenges practitioners to recognise behavioural medicine as a veterinary discipline in its own right - essential not only for accurate diagnosis and treatment, but for improving clinical outcomes, reducing repeat visits, and supporting long-term feline welfare.

For further reading material please visit:

Environment and Feline Health: At Home and in the Clinic

Understanding Feline emotions... and their role in problem behaviours

A new model and terminology for understanding feline emotions

Letter to companies who use brachycephalic cats and other breeds with extreme conformation

Hosts:

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

Laura Watson, RVN ISFM AdvCertFB & DipFN, iCatCare Cat Welfare Coordinator

Speaker:
Sarah Heath, BVSc PgCertVE DipECAWBM(BM) CCAB FHEA FRCVS, RCVS Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine & EBVS ® European Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine

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

In the September episode of Chattering With International Cat Care, we bring together two conversations on how innovation and teamwork shape feline medicine.

First, Yaiza Gómez Mejías speaks with Morgane Debuigne, winner of the JFMS Resident Best Paper Award 2024, about her article on feline supraglottic airway devices. What does the latest research reveal about their role in anaesthesia and where do they fit alongside established practice?

Then, Dr Kelly St. Denis continues her discussion with Mary Ellen Goldberg on feline rehabilitation. In this second part, they explore therapies, exercises, and the practical ways veterinary teams and owners can play a role in supporting recovery. Catch up on the first part of their conversation by tuning into our July episode!

For further reading material please visit:

Placement of the feline V-gel Advanced supraglottic airway device and tracheal selectivity during controlled mechanical ventilation: a clinical and tomodensitometric evaluation

Computed tomography assessment of V-Gel Advanced supraglottic airway device placement in cats

Physical rehabilitation of cats: 1. Common conditions benefiting from physiotherapy

Physical rehabilitation of cats: 2. Treatment therapies and exercises

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:

Morgane Debuigne, Dipl. ECVAA, Winner of the JFMS Resident Best Paper Award 2024

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

Mary Ellen Goldberg, BS, LVT, CVT, SRA, CCRVN, CVPP, VTS, VTS-LAM, VTS Hon, Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner & JFMS Author