Winn Feline Foundation Podcasts on Feline Health

Join Dr. Vicki Thayer, President of the Winn Feline Foundation, as she interviews Dr. Carol Reinero at the June 2013 ACVIM meeting about current research into the use of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for asthma in cats. Dr. Reinero is a veterinary clinical scientist and associate professor located with the veterinary teaching hospital at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Dr. Reinero was part of the research team from MU funded by Winn Feline Foundation in 2011, 2012, and earlier in 2013 to study the use of mesenchymal stem cells in cats with asthma. Stem cell therapy is a new frontier in treatment and the Winn Feline Foundation has been on the cutting edge by funding cat health studies in this area. Dr. Reinero discusses the current state of treatment of asthma in cats and the potential future use of mesenchymal stem cells for this disease.

Research on FIP has steadily progressed over the last decade. Join veterinary professionals and breeders at the presentation of Dr. Niels Pedersen from the University of California-Davis, a world-renowned researcher on infectious diseases in cats, during the 2011 Winn Feline Foundation Symposium in Reston, VA. Dr. Pedersen describes how some of our concepts of disease pathogenesis, potential treatment modalities, mutations within the virus that affect the virulence, genetic susceptibility of the host cat, and disease prevention have either changed or have become much clearer. The role of breeders and their veterinarians in solving the problem of FIP remains even more important today than at any time in the past.

Steve Dale, well-known pet advocate and host of Steve Dale's Pet World, is Master of Ceremonies for the 2011 Winn Feline Foundation Symposium on Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) held in Reston, VA on June 23, 2011. He moderates the question and answer session between two world-renowned researchers in the field of feline infectious disease, Dr. Al Legendre and Dr. Niels Pedersen, and the listening audience as they discuss the importance for research on FIP. Please join the discussion at the dinner symposium.

Steve Dale, well-known pet advocate and host of Steve Dale's Pet World, is Master of Ceremonies for the 2011 Winn Feline Foundation Symposium on Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) held in Reston, VA on June 23, 2011. He introduces two world-renowned researchers in the field of feline infectious disease, Dr. Al Legendre and Dr. Niels Pedersen, to the listening audience and discusses the importance of support for research on FIP. Please join the discussion at the dinner symposium.

Join a discussion of a potential treatment, Polyprenyl Immunostimulant, for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) at the 2011 Winn Feline Foundation dinner symposium held in Reston, VA. The talk will focus on Dr. Al Legendre’s current research at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Dr. Legendre is a world-renowned researcher of infectious diseases in cats. The talk addresses the response rates of the different forms of “dry” FIP such as abdominal, ocular, and neurologic. Information benefiting veterinarians and cat fanciers includes an overview of the cat breeds that were in the study and comments from the owners.

Join Dr. Vicki Thayer, President of the Winn Feline Foundation, as she interviews Dr. Jessica Quimby on current research into the use of stem cell therapy for chronic renal disease in cats. Dr. Quimby is a veterinary clinical scientist located at the veterinary teaching hospital at Colorado State University (CSU). Dr. Quimby was part of the research team from CSU funded by Winn Feline Foundation in 2007 to study the use of stem cells in cats with renal disease. Stem cell therapy is a new frontier in treatment and Winn Feline Foundation has been on the cutting edge by funding cat health studies in this area. Dr. Quimby discusses the current state of stem cell research for chronic renal disease.

Presented by John Rush, DVM, ACVIM Cardiology, ACVECC, Tufts University at the 34th Annual Winn Feline Foundation Symposium on Feline Health. There can be little doubt that genetic mutations contribute to many, if not all, forms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the cat. However these mutations cannot explain all of the manifestations of the disease. Following a review of the commonly affected cats and the typical clinical signs, newer information and research is presented relative to diagnostic testing, dietary implications, and new drugs for treatment of feline cardiomyopathy. This presentation was originally delivered on June 28, 2012 at the 34th Annual Winn Feline Foundation Symposium on Feline Health.

Presented by Leslie A. Lyons, PhD, University of California at Davis at the 34th Annual Winn Feline Foundation Symposium on Feline Health. The recent genetic sequencing of the cat has led to the development of a powerful new genetic resource, the cat 63K DNA array. Researchers can now focus sample collection more efficiently; extended relatves are no longer required. with sample testing on the array, 63,000 DNA markers can be assessed, delivering results in 3 weeks. Dr. Lyons presents examples of recent successes for cat traits and diseases. The presentation also covers a new study design evaluating more challenging traits, such as FIP resistance and susceptibility, and other complex consditions in the cat. The original presentation was delivered on June 28, 2012 at the 34th Annual Winn Feline Foundation Symposium on Feline Health.