Dr. Amir Kol, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVP is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.  He completed a residency in clinical pathology and a PhD in integrative pathobiology at UC Davis, focusing on stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. In this episode, we discuss his research on FIP and other coronaviruses. Is the cat a good model for the disease in people?

Dr. Amir Kol, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVP is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. He earned his veterinary degree from the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine in Israel in 2006. Following this, he completed a residency in clinical pathology and a PhD in integrative pathobiology at UC Davis, focusing on stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Dr. Kol's research centers on translational biomedical science, particularly mesenchymal stem cells, regenerative therapies, and disease modeling. His work leverages naturally occurring diseases in companion animals to inform veterinary and human medicine. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles. Another great podcast about FIP!

Episode Title: "Gut, Kidneys, and Kibble: CKD Insights with Dr. Jessica Quimby"In this episode of the Purr Podcast, Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn and Dr. Susan Little are joined once again by feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) expert, Dr. Jessica Quimby. Together, they unpack some of the latest insights into managing this complex condition in cats.We dive into key topics, including:

• The role of AST-120 in managing CKD and its impact on the gut-kidney axis.
• Dietary strategies, focusing on phosphorus control and how it can help manage CKD progression.
• The importance of understanding the gut-kidney connection and how it influences overall health.
• A surprising finding: decreased defecation frequency in CKD cats and how missing litterbox days can be a symptom worth addressing.
• Appetite challenges in CKD cats—how to recognize and manage reduced food intake.
• Anemia in CKD cats.

This episode is packed with practical advice, fascinating discoveries, and plenty of feline-friendly discussion. Whether you're a vet, a cat owner, or just a fan of the mysterious ways of our feline friends, you’ll come away with valuable insights to help CKD cats live their best lives.

We’re thrilled to welcome back a repeat offender in the world of feline fame—Dr. Jessica Quimby, DVM, PhD, from The Ohio State University! Renowned for her expertise in feline chronic kidney disease, Dr. Quimby is here to guide us through an essential topic: improving quality of life for cats living with chronic disease.  
She delves into the concept of the spectrum of care, tailoring her approach to meet the unique needs of each cat and their human. Her philosophy? Sometimes, less is more—because care isn’t just about doing more; it’s about doing what’s right for the patient.  
An often-overlooked aspect of managing chronic disease is the caregiver burden. Dr. Quimby highlights the emotional and physical toll caregiving can take on pet owners. By customizing care plans and focusing on achievable goals, she ensures that both the cat and their human companions can navigate the journey with greater ease and compassion.

In the 200th episode of the Purr Podcast, Dr. Kelly and Dr. Susan are joined by the esteemed Dr. Thomas Schemerhorn to discuss feline hyperthyroidism, a common condition in older cats. They delve into the four accepted therapies for managing this endocrine disorder, offering insights into each approach's pros and cons. Sponsored by Norbrook, makers of Felanorm (methimazole) oral solution for cats, the episode also highlights the importance of bioequivalent pharmaceutical products in veterinary care. Take advantage of this milestone episode packed with expert advice on keeping hyperthyroid kitties healthy and happy!

Dr. Kelly and Dr. Susan totally rock the intro of this week’s PurrPodcast episode! Their special guest is Dr. Schermerhorn from Kansas State University, an expert in feline endocrinology. Dr. Schermerhorn dives deep into the complexities of diabetes in cats, shedding light on one of the more serious complications—hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state. Together, they discuss the symptoms, diagnostic challenges, and treatment approaches for this condition, offering vital insights for both veterinarians and pet owners. It’s an episode packed with expert knowledge, delivered with their signature energy and enthusiasm!

Dr. Julia Beatty is back with here extra-ordinary story about hepadna viruses in cats.

Hepadnavirus infections in cats are caused by the feline hepadnavirus, a member of the Hepadnaviridae family, which includes viruses like the human hepatitis B virus. Discovered relatively recently, feline hepadnavirus primarily affects the liver. It is thought to contribute to liver disease in cats, such as hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).The virus has a unique life cycle, involving reverse transcription to replicate its DNA. Though not yet fully understood, research suggests that feline hepadnavirus may lead to chronic liver issues in infected cats, similar to hepatitis B in humans. Symptoms may include jaundice, lethargy, weight loss, and gastrointestinal upset, but specific diagnosis requires advanced molecular testing.Treatment focuses on managing liver disease symptoms, as there is no specific antiviral treatment available for this virus in cats yet.

In this podcast episode, we interview Dr. Julia Beatty, a distinguished Professor of Veterinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases at City University’s Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences. Dr. Beatty shares her remarkable journey from studying at University College London and the Royal Veterinary College to her extensive work in feline medicine and infectious diseases. She discusses her career milestones, including her PhD in feline virology at the University of Glasgow, her leadership roles at the University of Sydney, and her contributions to the field through various boards and editorial positions. Dr. Beatty also offers insights into her research, her passion for feline medicine, and the future of veterinary infectious diseases.
Hepatitis B-like viruses (hepadnaviruses) have been identified in a wide range of animals, including cats. The hepadnavirus in cats, sometimes referred to as feline hepadnavirus or FeHBV, is similar to the human hepatitis B virus but is specific to felines.This virus is a relatively recent discovery, and researchers like Dr. Julia Beatty have been at the forefront of studying it. FeHBV has been found in domestic cats, and while the full impact on feline health is still being explored, there is concern that it could contribute to liver disease in cats, much like its human counterpart does in people.The discovery of FeHBV has opened new avenues for research in feline medicine, particularly in understanding liver diseases in cats and the potential for transmission and prevention. As research continues, it may lead to better diagnostic and treatment options for cats affected by this virus.

In this second episode of their podcast, Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn and Dr. Susan Little featured Dr. Terza Brostoff, DVM, PhD, from the University of California, Davis, to discuss her pioneering research on new medications for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Dr. Brostoff detailed the foundational steps in her investigations aimed at developing effective therapeutic options for this devastating disease, which affects cats and is caused by a coronavirus. We have had some exciting developments in therapeutic possibilities lately.

In this episode of their podcast, Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn and Dr. Susan Little featured Dr. Terza Brostoff, DVM, PhD, from the University of California, Davis, to discuss her pioneering research on new medications for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Dr. Brostoff detailed the foundational steps in her investigations aimed at developing effective therapeutic options for this devastating disease, which affects cats and is caused by a coronavirus. The conversation covered the novel approaches explored to combat FIP and how these potential treatments could transform the prognosis for affected cats. Dr. Brostoff emphasized why these new therapeutic options are groundbreaking, offering hope for significant advancements in feline health and veterinary medicine. The podcast provided a comprehensive overview of the current state of FIP research and the promising future of these new medical interventions.

In our recent podcast episode with Dr. Petra Cerna, an expert on feline mycobacteria, we delved into various aspects of this intriguing topic. Dr. Cerna, who trained under Dr. Susan Little, shared her profound motto: persist. We explored regional concerns such as mycobacterium avium in the US and mycobacterium bovis in the UK, where deer and rodents serve as reservoirs. Our discussion covered key points on diagnosis and therapeutic approaches for managing these infections in feline populations.