Show Notes
In this episode of Chattering with ISFM, Nathalie Dowgray interviews Dr Hugo Swanstein about his JFMS Clinical Spotlight article on Feline-Friendly Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS). We also return to Dr Sarah Ellis and Dr Daniel Mills for Part Two of their conversation on the use of pheromones in cats. Dr Ellis and Dr Mills delve into the methods of delivering pheromones in veterinary care, how to use them effectively, and the scepticism surrounding these products. They clarify the differences between pheromones and odour therapy, while touching on the industry's lack of regulation. Later, Dr Dowgray and Dr Swanstein discuss the practical application of feline-friendly POCUS, with Dr Swanstein explaining its differences from formal ultrasound exams. He shares tips for integrating POCUS into daily practice, emphasising its value beyond emergency cases and how it can be mastered with brief, regular practice. He also addresses concerns about time and cost, highlighting POCUS's efficiency and affordability, and advocates for training the entire veterinary team, including technicians, in its use.
For further reading material please visit:
Pheromonatherapy: Theory and applications
Stress and Pheromonatherapy in Small Animal Clinical Behaviour
JFMS Clinical Spotlight Article: Feline Friendly POCUS, How to implement it into your daily practice View The Transcript Here
For ISFM members, full recordings of each episode of the podcast is available for you to listen to at portal.icatcare.org. To become an ISFM member, or find out more about our Cat Friendly schemes, visit icatcare.org
Host:
Nathalie Dowgray, BVSc, MANZCVS, PgDip, MRCVS, PhD, Head of ISFM, International Society of Feline Medicine, International Cat Care, Tisbury, Wiltshire, UK Speakers:
Sarah Ellis, BSc, PGDip, PhD, Head of Cat Wellbeing and Behaviour at International Cat Care, independent feline welfare educator, writer and consultant. Daniel Mills, BVSc PhD CBiol FRSB FHEA CCAB Dip ECAWBM(BM) FRCVS, Professor of veterinary behavioural medicine & RCVS, European and ASAB recognised specialist in clinical animal behaviour Hugo Swanstein, Cand Med Vet, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine & JFMS Published Author
More from Chattering with iCatCare
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:
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.
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:
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:
In the June open access episode of Chattering With iCatCare, Yaiza Gómez-Mejías is joined by Mariana Lopes and Joanna Morris to explore feline oncology and the practical roadmap for using oral chemotherapy agents in general practice. The conversation focuses on providing realistic treatment options for patients where referral may not be accessible, highlighting how oral protocols can achieve efficacy and maintain quality of life within a primary care setting. They also discuss why cats must not be treated as small dogs regarding drug toxicity and the specific challenges of monitoring feline patients who often hide side effects. For further reading material please visit: