Purr Podcast

What’s new with Dr. Susan Little and Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn? In this special Purr Podcast episode, our hosts step away from their usual feline medicine discussions with guest veterinarians for a rare behind-the-scenes conversation about their veterinary careers, retirement, travel plans, new feline medications, and what they’re working on next. Dr. Little shares what’s happening at her feline-only veterinary hospitals in Ottawa, including the arrival of three newly licensed feline drugs in Canada. Dr. Kirpensteijn also reveals a major career change! After more than 12 years with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, he retired from his position and is taking time to focus on projects he enjoys, including podcasting, lectures, and his new surgical textbook. Tune in for some updates, reflection, and banter!


Show Notes

Veterinary Surgery podcast with Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterinary-surgery-podcast/id1496567990 

Colour Atlas of Reconstructive Techniques in the Dog and Cat, by Jolle Kirpensteijn, Bryden J Stanley, and Gert ter Haar: https://www.routledge.com/Colour-Atlas-of-Reconstructive-Techniques-in-the-Dog-and-Cat/Kirpensteijn-Stanley-terHaar/p/book/9780367029999 

Buy Colour Atlas of Reconstructive Techniques in the Dog and Cat on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Colour-Atlas-Reconstructive-Techniques-Dog-dp-0367029995/dp/0367029995/ref=dp_ob_title_bk#



Thanks for tuning in to the Purr Podcast with Dr. Susan and Dr. Jolle!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review—it really helps other cat lovers and vet nerds find the show. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes stories, cat trivia, and the occasional bad pun. And remember: every day is better with cats, curiosity, and maybe just a little purring in the background. Until next time—stay curious, stay kind, and give your cats an extra chin scratch from us. The Purr Podcast – where feline medicine meets feline fun. 🐾🎙️

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.


Thanks for tuning in to the Purr Podcast with Dr. Susan and Dr. Jolle!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review—it really helps other cat lovers and vet nerds find the show. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes stories, cat trivia, and the occasional bad pun. And remember: every day is better with cats, curiosity, and maybe just a little purring in the background. Until next time—stay curious, stay kind, and give your cats an extra chin scratch from us. The Purr Podcast – where feline medicine meets feline fun. 🐾🎙️

What can veterinarians do to make saying goodbye more personal for pet owners? Dr. Ken Gorczyca joins Dr. Susan Little and Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn to celebrate making it to 250 episodes of Purr Podcast! Dr. Gorczyca is an at-home end-of-life veterinarian and companion animal death doula who helps pets and their families navigate the final stage of life in the comfort of their own homes. For cats especially, being able to say goodbye at home can help reduce the stress of travel and the veterinary hospital. He shares how he creates a safe space for families to reflect on their cat’s entire life before the euthanasia. He discusses creating personalized ceremonies and rituals after euthanasia, giving families time to be present with their cat and begin the grieving process. Join us for a deeply moving conversation about veterinary medicine, compassion, grief, and the extraordinary role pets play in our lives. 

Show Notes
University of Vermont Companion Animal End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate: https://learn.uvm.edu/program/companion-animal-end-of-life-doula-professional-certificate-online/ 
The Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy: https://learn.caetainternational.com/ 
VetArtNow: https://vetartnow.com/ 
A Beloved Farewell In-Home Pet Euthanasia: https://www.abelovedfarewell.com/

Thanks for tuning in to the Purr Podcast with Dr. Susan and Dr. Jolle!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review—it really helps other cat lovers and vet nerds find the show. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes stories, cat trivia, and the occasional bad pun. And remember: every day is better with cats, curiosity, and maybe just a little purring in the background. Until next time—stay curious, stay kind, and give your cats an extra chin scratch from us. The Purr Podcast – where feline medicine meets feline fun. 🐾🎙️

What happens when fear and misinformation put the human-animal bond at risk? Dr. Ken Gorczyca joins Dr. Susan Little and Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn for the 249th & 250th episodes of Purr Podcast to share his extraordinary experience during the AIDS crisis, when immunocompromised people were sometimes advised to give up their pets because of concerns about zoonotic diseases. He explains how veterinarians helped challenge misinformation and establish safer guidelines for immunocompromised pet owners. Today, Dr. Gorczyca works as an at-home end-of-life vet, helping pets and their families navigate saying goodbye in the comfort of their own homes. Join us for a deeply moving conversation about veterinary medicine, compassion, grief, and the extraordinary role pets play in our lives. 


Thanks for tuning in to the Purr Podcast with Dr. Susan and Dr. Jolle!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review—it really helps other cat lovers and vet nerds find the show. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes stories, cat trivia, and the occasional bad pun. And remember: every day is better with cats, curiosity, and maybe just a little purring in the background. Until next time—stay curious, stay kind, and give your cats an extra chin scratch from us. The Purr Podcast – where feline medicine meets feline fun. 🐾🎙️

What challenges do veterinary podcasters face and how do they overcome them? Some of the veterinary profession’s famous podcasters came together LIVE at the AVMA Convention 2026 for a special panel discussion about veterinary podcasting, storytelling, education, social media, and what really happens behind the microphone. This was the FIRST EVER Veterinary Podcast Day, and if you missed the live event don't worry, we've got you covered. In this special panel you will hear different perspectives from the people behind some of your favorite veterinary podcasts as they discuss the biggest challenges in veterinary podcasting and the creative solutions that help them keep going.

Or WATCH NOW! https://youtu.be/As_SoKVTieI 

Thanks for tuning in to the Purr Podcast with Dr. Susan and Dr. Jolle!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review—it really helps other cat lovers and vet nerds find the show. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes stories, cat trivia, and the occasional bad pun. And remember: every day is better with cats, curiosity, and maybe just a little purring in the background. Until next time—stay curious, stay kind, and give your cats an extra chin scratch from us. The Purr Podcast – where feline medicine meets feline fun. 🐾🎙️

Don’t start a podcast yet… Listen to this first! In case you missed it, the veterinary profession’s favorite podcasters came together LIVE at the AVMA Convention 2026 for a special panel discussion about veterinary podcasting, storytelling, education, and social media. This was the FIRST EVER AVMA Veterinary Podcast Day! The panel takes you behind the mic for podcasts including Purr Podcast, hosted by Dr. Susan Little and Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn, Cone of Shame, hosted by Dr. Andy Roark, and Peter & Phil's Courageous Conversations, hosted by Dr. Peter Weinstein and Dr. Phillip Nelson. Want to learn how to start and succeed in podcasting?

You can also WATCH ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSeicQta_7g&t=23s 

Thanks for tuning in to the Purr Podcast with Dr. Susan and Dr. Jolle!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review—it really helps other cat lovers and vet nerds find the show. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes stories, cat trivia, and the occasional bad pun. And remember: every day is better with cats, curiosity, and maybe just a little purring in the background. Until next time—stay curious, stay kind, and give your cats an extra chin scratch from us. The Purr Podcast – where feline medicine meets feline fun. 🐾🎙️

Can Stem Cells Help Cats with Arthritis, Kidney Disease & Stomatitis? with Dr. Rebecca Windsor
Stem cell therapy is one of the most exciting developments in veterinary medicine, but what diseases could it actually treat? In Part 2 of this special Purr Podcast episode, recorded at the AVMA Convention 2026 and sponsored by an educational grant from Gallant, Dr. Susan Little and Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn continue their discussion with veterinary neurologist Dr. Rebecca Windsor, Vice President of Veterinary Affairs at Gallant, to explore where regenerative medicine is headed and why stem cell therapy may change the future of feline healthcare. How could stem cell therapy transform chronic disease treatment in cats?Is stem cell therapy ready for veterinary practice? After explaining the basics in Part 1, this episode takes a deeper dive into the science behind stem cell therapy, including how donor stem cells are carefully screened and manufactured, why they don't trigger immune rejection, and how they help regulate inflammation throughout the body. We explore several of the most common chronic diseases affecting cats, including osteoarthritis, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS), and discusses the promising research that could lead to entirely new treatment options. How do stem cells interact with the immune system? Dr. Rebecca Windsor, DVM, DACVIM, is a board-certified veterinary neurologist with over 20 years of clinical experience. In 2025, she joined Gallant, where she currently serves as the Vice President of Veterinary Affairs. She wants to discover what the future may hold for regenerative medicine in pets!

Show Notes
90-day study to support reasonable expectation of efficacy for refractory FCGS published in JFMS: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40999564/

Clinical field study evaluating the safety and efficacy of allogeneic uterine-derived mesenchymal stem cells for refractory feline chronic gingivostomatitis:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41757710/

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell (MSC) Therapy for Feline Osteoarthritis: https://www.gallant.com/science-library/mesenchymal-stromal-cell-msc-therapy-for-feline-osteoarthritis/

RACE Approved CE for Regenerative Medicine Era: https://learn.gallant.com/

Learn more about Gallant: https://www.gallant.com/A

Thanks for tuning in to the Purr Podcast with Dr. Susan and Dr. Jolle!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review—it really helps other cat lovers and vet nerds find the show. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes stories, cat trivia, and the occasional bad pun. And remember: every day is better with cats, curiosity, and maybe just a little purring in the background. Until next time—stay curious, stay kind, and give your cats an extra chin scratch from us. The Purr Podcast – where feline medicine meets feline fun. 🐾🎙️

Can stem cell therapy transform the future of feline medicine?
In this special Purr Podcast episode, recorded at the AVMA Convention 2026, Dr. Susan Little and Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn sit down with veterinary neurologist Dr. Rebecca Windsor, to examine one of the most exciting developments in veterinary medicine: off-the-shelf stem cell therapies for cats. This episode is sponsored by an educational grant from Gallant.

What is the science behind the rapidly growing field of stem cell therapy?
Dr. Rebecca Windsor, DVM, DACVIM, is a board-certified veterinary neurologist with over 20 years of clinical experience. In 2025, she joined Gallant, where she currently serves as the Vice President of Veterinary Affairs. She wants to discover what the future may hold for regenerative medicine in pets! Dr. Windsor explains what stem cells actually are, how they can regulate inflammation, tissue repair, and immune function. We discuss feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS), one of the most painful and frustrating diseases seen in cats. Learn why some cats don't respond to traditional treatments and why stem cell therapy is generating so much excitement as a potential new treatment option. What is the difference between older stem cell techniques and modern therapies? What are the current FDA regulations of veterinary stem cell therapies?

Show Notes
90-day study to support reasonable expectation of efficacy for refractory FCGS published in JFMS: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40999564/

Clinical field study evaluating the safety and efficacy of allogeneic uterine-derived mesenchymal stem cells for refractory feline chronic gingivostomatitis:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41757710/

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell (MSC) Therapy for Feline Osteoarthritis: https://www.gallant.com/science-library/mesenchymal-stromal-cell-msc-therapy-for-feline-osteoarthritis/

RACE Approved CE for Regenerative Medicine Era: https://learn.gallant.com/

Learn more about Gallant: https://www.gallant.com/

Thanks for tuning in to the Purr Podcast with Dr. Susan and Dr. Jolle!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review—it really helps other cat lovers and vet nerds find the show. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes stories, cat trivia, and the occasional bad pun. And remember: every day is better with cats, curiosity, and maybe just a little purring in the background. Until next time—stay curious, stay kind, and give your cats an extra chin scratch from us. The Purr Podcast – where feline medicine meets feline fun. 🐾🎙️

In this episode of the Purr Podcast, Dr. Serge Chalhoub joins Dr. Susan and Dr. Jolle to talk about something that is quietly changing how veterinarians work up feline urinary disease: point-of-care ultrasound. Rather than sending a cat off for specialist imaging or guessing at what is happening in the bladder, point-of-care ultrasound puts answers right there in the exam room, in real time, without the wait and without the stress of extra procedures. Dr. Chalhoub, a board-certified internal medicine specialist at the University of Calgary whose clinical interests center on nephrology, urology, and minimally invasive diagnostics, walks through what bedside ultrasound actually shows, when it changes the clinical picture, and why it is becoming an essential skill for practitioners.

Thanks for tuning in to the Purr Podcast with Dr. Susan and Dr. Jolle!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review—it really helps other cat lovers and vet nerds find the show. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes stories, cat trivia, and the occasional bad pun. And remember: every day is better with cats, curiosity, and maybe just a little purring in the background. Until next time—stay curious, stay kind, and give your cats an extra chin scratch from us. The Purr Podcast – where feline medicine meets feline fun. 🐾🎙️

Dr. Mike is back with a bonus episode nobody scheduled, because the screwworm did not check our calendar. The New World screwworm has arrived in the United States for the first time in sixty years, confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, with a quarantine zone now covering fourteen Texas counties. While livestock take the hardest hit, cats are absolutely at risk, because the fly lays her eggs in any open wound, and even a small scratch or post-surgical incision is enough of an invitation. The saving grace is that a year of preparation preceded this moment, with FDA emergency use authorizations now covering cats, including Credelio Cat and NexGard COMBO, and most recently a generic over-the-counter nitenpyram option that kills larvae within hours. Dr. Mike explains what living in the affected zone actually means for your cat, and whether the screwworm’s steady northward march through Central America and Mexico is likely to continue up the map. We also cover the other infection keeping feline medicine on its toes: H5N1 in cats. More than 130 feline cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 have been confirmed across the United States, from barn cats to strictly indoor pets, and cats appear to be exquisitely sensitive to the virus. The mortality rate sits somewhere between fifty and seventy percent, and whether infected cats can pass the virus to other cats remains an open and uncomfortable question. Two infections, one episode, and a very compelling argument for keeping your cat’s wounds clean and your raw milk off the menu. Do not miss this one.miss.

Thanks for tuning in to the Purr Podcast with Dr. Susan and Dr. Jolle!
If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review—it really helps other cat lovers and vet nerds find the show. Follow us on social media for behind-the-scenes stories, cat trivia, and the occasional bad pun. And remember: every day is better with cats, curiosity, and maybe just a little purring in the background. Until next time—stay curious, stay kind, and give your cats an extra chin scratch from us. The Purr Podcast – where feline medicine meets feline fun. 🐾🎙️