Episodes

  • Screw worm in the cat and other recent infections with Dr. Mike Lappin

    Screw worm in the cat and other recent infections with Dr. Mike Lappin
    Jun 23 2026
    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. 🐾🎙️
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    23 mins
  • FLUTD with Dr. Serge Chaloub

    FLUTD with Dr. Serge Chaloub
    Jun 9 2026
    Are we prescribing medications for FIC that lack meaningful evidence? Dr. Serge Chalhoub, a board-certified small animal internal medicine specialist and Professor at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, joins the Purr Podcast to discuss best practices in feline urinary disease management. His clinical and research interests focus on nephrology, urology, point-of-care ultrasound, and minimally invasive procedures. What should be first-line therapy for cats with lower urinary tract disease?

    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. 🐾🎙️
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    31 mins
  • What does chronic pain look like with Dr. Tamara Grubb

    What does chronic pain look like with Dr. Tamara Grubb
    May 26 2026
    What does pain look like in cats? A new Purr Podcast with Dr. Tamara Grubb. Tammy is back for our second episode, and this time we do a deep dive into pain management in cats. Some of the signs are clear enough that even the most casual observer would notice, but cats are masters of concealment, and most of the time they hide their discomfort so well that even devoted owners and experienced clinicians can miss what is right in front of them. We talk about what to look for, how to think about pain assessment across different situations and life stages, and what we can do about it once we actually find it.


    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. 🐾🎙️
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    37 mins
  • It pains me to see discomfort in cats with Dr. Tamara Grubb

    It pains me to see discomfort in cats with Dr. Tamara Grubb
    May 12 2026
    Let’s talk about fear-free feline anesthesia! Feline anesthesia has changed dramatically, and so has our understanding of pain in cats. Our next Purr Podcast guest, Dr. Tamara Grubb, is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia and an internationally recognized expert in pain management. She shared the biggest mistakes that veterinarians make in feline anesthesia!

    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. 🐾🎙️
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    36 mins
  • Bugs, Beasties, and Beloved Cats: Infectious Disease with Dr. Jane Sykes

    Bugs, Beasties, and Beloved Cats: Infectious Disease with Dr. Jane Sykes
    Apr 28 2026
    If you've been listening to the Purr Podcast for a while, you already know that Dr. Susan has a special place in her heart for anything that crawls, multiplies, and causes trouble at the cellular level. So when the opportunity came to welcome back the one and only Dr. Jane Sykes for a second conversation, it's safe to say the excitement level in the room was measurable. Dr. Sykes is a Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and one of the most respected voices in veterinary infectious disease anywhere in the world. She has spent her career untangling the complex, the sneaky, and the sometimes downright dramatic world of infections in our companion animals, and lucky for us, she's as generous with her knowledge as she is sharp with her insights. Your hosts, Dr. Susan and Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn, are back together to guide the conversation, Dr. Susan barely containing her enthusiasm, and Dr. Jolle making sure the rest of us keep up. Whether you're a cat owner wondering what's lurking in your backyard or a veterinary professional looking to sharpen your clinical thinking, this episode has something for you. This is the second time Dr. Sykes has graced the Purr Podcast, and honestly? It still doesn't feel like enough.

    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. 🐾🎙️
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    34 mins
  • Dr. Jane Sykes on Vaccines, Viruses, and Your Cat's Invisible Risks

    Dr. Jane Sykes on Vaccines, Viruses, and Your Cat's Invisible Risks
    Apr 14 2026
    Are indoor cats really safe? Rabies and disease risks are revealed in this episode of the Purr Podcast! We sit down with Dr. Jane Sykes, a global leader in veterinary infectious diseases. We talk about why vaccine hesitancy is rising and what it means for cats, the latest research on declawing and its long-term effects, and how infectious diseases are changing due to environmental factors.

    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. 🐾🎙️
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    31 mins
  • The Science Behind SGLT2 Inhibitors — And When to Use Them with Dr. Renee Rucinsky

    The Science Behind SGLT2 Inhibitors — And When to Use Them with Dr. Renee Rucinsky
    Mar 31 2026
    Feline diabetes management is evolving fast, and SGLT2 inhibitors are at the center of that conversation. In this deep-dive episode, Dr. Susan and Dr. Jolle are joined by Dr. Renee Rucinsky — board-certified feline specialist, owner of Mid Atlantic Cat Hospital and Mid Atlantic Feline Thyroid Center, and a key contributor to the AAHA diabetes management guidelines, including the upcoming updated edition. Dr. Rucinsky walks through the mechanism of action of oral SGLT2 inhibitors, their emerging role in feline diabetes management, patient selection criteria, and what the latest evidence is telling us about when and how to use them in practice. If you've been fielding questions from clients about these drugs — or wondering where they fit in your own protocols — this episode gives you the clinical clarity to move forward with confidence.

    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. 🐾🎙️
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    39 mins
  • The Aggressive Cat Myth: What We're Getting Wrong wit Dr. Renee Rucinsky

    The Aggressive Cat Myth: What We're Getting Wrong wit Dr. Renee Rucinsky
    Mar 17 2026
    Cats are the most commonly owned pet in the United States — and yet they're dramatically underrepresented in veterinary visits compared to dogs. One big reason? The vet experience is often so stressful for cats, and so difficult for the people trying to handle them, that owners simply stop bringing them in.
    Today we're exploring the science and the solutions behind feline stress in clinical settings — why cats react the way they do, what that behavior is actually communicating, and how veterinary teams can create environments where cats feel safer.
    Joining us is Dr. Renee Rucinsky, a board-certified feline specialist, owner of Mid Atlantic Cat Hospital and Mid Atlantic Feline Thyroid Center in Maryland, and a respected voice in feline medicine through her lecturing and writing.


    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. 🐾🎙️
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    28 mins