Winn Feline Foundation Podcasts on Feline Health

Please join Winn Feline Foundation in a Winn produced podcast interview with Dr. Craig Webb, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at Colorado State University. Our Executive Director, Dr. Vicki Thayer, questions Dr. Webb about his very interesting research into the use of stem cells for the the treatment of chronic intestinal disease in cats. The interview was held at the 2014 conference of the American Association of Feline Practitioners in Indianapolis. As a Winn-funded researcher, Dr. Webb was a Winn-sponsored featured speaker at the conference and a huge hit with the audience of cat-loving veterinarians.

Dr. Leslie Lyons,renowned geneticist from the University of Missouri, is interviewed by Dr. Vicki Thayer of the Winn Feline Foundation. Dr. Lyons and her team have recently found four mutations in cats. Dr. Lyons describes the mutations and the importance they have for cat health or phenotype. Join Winn and Dr. Lyons to hear about these exciting new findings. The interview was conducted at the recent International Cat Conference held at the Center for Companion Animal Health, part of the University of California-Davis.

Please join Dr. Glenn Olah, the President of Winn Feline Foundation, as he interviews Dr. Philip Fox on June 26, 2014. Dr. Fox, DVM, DACVIM, DECVIM, ACVECC Vincent Astor Chair in Comparative Medicine at the Caspary Institute, Animal Medical Center, in New York City, was one of the speakers at the 36th Annual Winn Symposium in New Orleans.

The interview will provide information regarding the most common heart disease found in cats, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The Foundation has been a leader in looking at the incidence, pathogenesis and potential treatments for feline heart disease, especially in the form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Dr. Philip Fox’s research through the Animal Medical Center has lead to a international collaborative study that has identified risk factors for heart failure and survival in normal healthy cats and cats with HCM and will discuss the impact on feline health of heart disease, renal failure, and cancer. This is an extensive study in cats and will offer a large amount of information about cat health over a range of organ systems in addition to the heart-related implications.

Join Dr. Vicki Thayer, Executive Director of the Winn Feline Foundation, as she interviews Beth Licitra, a combined DVM/PhD candidate from Cornell University about current research into the pathogenesis of FIP virus in cats. Beth Licitra is a key member and spokesperson for Dr. Gary Whittaker’s Laboratory at Cornell University. Winn has provided funding for the research where the Whittaker Laboratory found the correlation between mutations in the FCoV spike protein and the development of FIP. She presented the results as an abstract at the 2013 ACVIM Annual Meeting.

Please join the 36th Annual Winn Feline Foundation Symposium in New Orleans on July 26, 2014. This audio portion features nationally known radio personality, Steve Dale, as he introduces Dr. Philip Fox, DVM, DACVIM, DECVIM, and ACVECC Vincent Astor Chair in Comparative Medicine, Caspary Institute, Animal Medical Center in New York City.

Dr. Philip Fox presents on “NEW perspectives on survival: Comparison of healthy cats and cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy- A Global Study”. This multinational study involved some 60 investigators across 20 countries. The presentation will review the current relevant knowledge of feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with special focus on clinically relevant findings. In addition, for the first time, new data will clarify incidence of morbidities and mortality in cats with HCM including CHF and ATE, as well as in normal cats. Clinical risk factors for heart disease and cardiac death will also be included.

Please join the 36th Annual Winn Feline Foundation Symposium in New Orleans on July 26, 2014. This audio portion features the Symposium introduction with nationally known radio personality, Steve Dale, as he talks about the Winn Feline Foundation and introduces Beth Licitra. Beth Licitra is a combined DVM and PhD candidate at Cornell University and is involved in research through the Whittaker Laboratory at the University.

Beth Licitra’s presentation will cover the discovery where “Pathogenesis of feline coronavirus is linked to mutation of a critical viral activation site”. Research in the Whittaker Laboratory focuses on investigations into the initial steps of virus infection. This includes binding of the virus to its host receptor, activation of viral attachment proteins by host proteases, and fusion of viral and host cell membranes. Their work also looks at human and avian influenza viruses as well as coronaviruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The talk summarizes their findings on the correlation between mutations in the FCoV spike protein and the development of FIP. It also highlights their current work on the role of host cell proteases in the progression of this fatal disease. The Whittaker Laboratory's research has uncovered a molecular basis for FIP that has potential to lead to developments in diagnostics, prevention, and treatment.

Join Dr. Vicki Thayer, President of Winn, as she talks with Dr. Glenn Olah, Winn's new President-Elect. They discuss Dr. Olah's background as a reviewer of research grants on cat health. Winn's mission is to enhance the relationship between cats and humans by fostering improvements in feline health through research and education. Both Dr. Thayer and Dr. Olah will talk about future plans to deliver Winn's mission to others.

Steve Dale, well-known pet advocate and host of Steve Dale's Pet World, is Master of Ceremonies for the 2013 Winn Feline Foundation Symposium on Chronic Kidney Disease and Superficial Fungal Skin Diseases in Cats held in Vancouver WA on June 27, 2013. He moderates the question and answer session between two renowned researchers in their field of interest, Dr. Jessica Quimby and Dr. Karen Moriello, and the listening audience as they discuss the importance for research on these particular diseases in cats. Please join the discussion at the symposium.

Steve Dale, well-known pet advocate and host of Steve Dale's Pet World, discusses the Ricky Fund in the Winn Feline Foundation which supports research regarding feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He follows with introducing Dr. Karen Moriello (DVM, DACVD), an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In this presentation, Dr. Moriello discusses new findings regarding two superficial fungal skin diseases of cats. Malassezia dermatitis (yeast overgrowth) is the most common superficial skin disease and is often under recognized and under diagnosed. The second most common superficial skin disease of cats is dermatophytosis or ringworm. Ringworm is a concern for people due to its zoonotic potential. This talk discusses what is new and useful in the area of diagnosis, treatment, and disinfection. In addition, a brief discussion of what to do when you suspect an outbreak is detailed. The presentation was delivered on June 27, 2013 at the 35th Winn Feline Foundation Symposium on Feline Health in Vancouver WA.

Steve Dale, well-known pet advocate and host of Steve Dale's Pet World is Master of Ceremonies of the 35th annual Winn Feline Foundation Symposium. He introduces Jessica Quimby, DVM, DACVIM, a clinical scientist from Colorado State University, presents information on two Winn funded studies related to feline chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is a common progressive disease in elderly cats that currently had no cure other than a kidney transplant. Novel treatment strategies and options for supportive care are important in treating this disease. The presentation focuses on the potential use of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of feline chronic kidney disease as well as the use of appetite stimulants for supportive care. It begins with a review of stem cell therapy principles and potential application to kidney disease and then discusses clinical trial results. Nutritional management of cats with kidney disease is discussed as well as the recent results of the mirtazapine appetite stimulant clinical trial. The presentation was delivered on June 27, 2013 at the 35th Winn Feline Foundation Symposium on Feline Health in Vancouver WA.