Fear Free podcast spotlights practical feline infectious disease risks

Cats remain vulnerable to a familiar set of infectious threats, and the latest Fear Free Pets podcast puts that reality back in focus for general practice teams, shelter veterinarians, and feline-only clinics. In the episode “What to Know About Feline Infectious Diseases,” Fear Free Pets features host Steve Dale and guest host Dr. Kim Bencevenga of Elanco Animal Health in a discussion with Jessica Pritchard, VMD, MS, DACVIM, on what’s new in feline infectious disease and prevention strategies. The conversation lands at a time when veterinary guidance continues to emphasize core vaccination against feline panleukopenia virus, feline herpesvirus-1, and feline calicivirus, along with risk-based testing and management for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus. (soundcloud.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the takeaway isn’t that there’s a single new feline disease event, but that routine infectious disease prevention still carries major clinical and operational weight. AAFP guidance continues to recommend retrovirus testing in key scenarios, including when cats are first acquired, after potential exposure, and when illness is compatible with infection, while vaccination remains central to preventing severe endemic disease. In shelters and multi-cat settings, infectious disease control guidance also underscores hygiene, intake management, vaccination, and separation strategies because transmission risks differ sharply by pathogen. (catvets.com)

What to watch: Expect continued attention on practical feline protocols, especially as clinics balance routine core prevention with emerging concerns such as H5N1 exposure risk in cats and evolving FIP treatment access. (catvets.com)