Unlocking the Power of Genetic Testing To Revolutionize Detection of Feline Disease
Decoding a feline patient’s DNA is another step in the pursuit of better medicine and optimal quality of life for our patients. It offers a way to identify health risks early so detection doesn’t come too late. In this discussion we will review the process of genetic testing, how to incorporate genetic testing in practice and how to prepare caregivers with a plan when mutations are detected.
Ashlie Saffire
DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Feline Practice)
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
An Update on FIP Diagnosis
This lecture will explain differences between feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), the pathogenesis of FIP as well as most common clinical signs of cats with FIP and will explain the different diagnostic tests for FIP in practice.
Petra Cerna
PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
Time: 1:10 pm - 2:10 pm
Diagnostic Testing for Feline GI Disease: From Laboratory Tests to Review of Histopathology Results
This talk is designed to walk through a case of a cat presenting with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) signs in a stepwise manner, looking at diagnostic testing in each stage. It will start with the initial evaluation and tests used to both confirm primary GI disease and non-invasively assess disease severity, with tools readily available to primary practitioners. The discussion will then progress to more focused testing to localize disease and evaluate for non-GI disease that cannot be achieved through initial screening. Finally, the talk will culminate with review of the case’s histopathology results and tips for looking at subtle descriptors to distinguish a chronic inflammatory enteropathy from low-grade alimentary lymphoma, as well as the utility of PCR and immunohistochemistry to aid in interpretation.
Maria Jugan
DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)
Time: 2:20 pm - 3:20 pm
VetCE Virtual: Feline Focus: Advances in Diagnostic Medicine
August 9, 2025 @ 12 pm - 3:30 pm ET
Speakers
Ashlie Saffire
DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Feline Practice)
Dr. Saffire is a graduate of The Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine and is board certified in feline practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. She is a published author, serves as president-elect of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, and is a tutor for the University of Sydney’s Feline Medicine Distance Education Course. She is both Cat Friendly and Fear Free Certified and owner of the Cat Specialty Center at Faithful Friends Veterinary Clinic, a Gold Level Cat Friendly Practice in Dublin, Ohio. As an invited speaker, Dr. Saffire hopes to share her clinical experience and expertise in feline medicine with the veterinary profession.
Petra Cerna
PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
Dr. Černá is an ACVIM diplomate in small animal internal medicine. She graduated from the University of Veterinary Sciences in the Czech Republic in 2018 where she also obtained her PhD in 2023. After completing two internships in the UK, she completed Small Animal Internal Medicine Residency at Colorado State University, USA in 2023. Dr. Černá was awarded the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice in Feline Medicine and also gained the Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in the Medicine of Cats. She was also awarded the ISFM Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour with Distinction. Dr. Černá has particular interest in feline medicine and is currently a PhD candidate at Colorado State University in Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).
Maria Jugan
DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)
Maria Jugan is a 2013 graduate of the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a small animal rotating internship at Texas A&M University and completed a master’s degree and residency in small animal internal medicine at The Ohio State University. She is currently an associate professor in small animal internal medicine at Kansas State University. Clinical and research interests include chronic gastrointestinal disease in small animals, microbiome shifts in gastrointestinal disease, and feline medicine.
Why Attend?
The VetCE Virtual event series of micro-conferences is designed to deliver multiple approved RACE and/or CVPM CE credits in a concise, half-day virtual format with three consecutive one-hour presentations. The series not only provides you with the opportunity to benefit from educational sessions presented by expert speakers but also offers an easy way to learn and earn credits from the comfort of your home or office!
VetCE Virtual events cover a wide range of topics, from detailed medical discussions to practice management and other non-medical subjects relevant to everyday situations encountered by veterinary professionals. If you’ve already registered and happen to miss the live event, no worries, you’ll be given access to the OnDemand courses once they become available (typically about three weeks after the live event) Recordings of the sessions will be accessible for viewing for 2 weeks following each event, providing participants with a valuable reference.
Please be advised that we can not issue CE certificates for only viewing the session recordings. Anyone who registers for a VetCE Virtual event but is unable to attend the live sessions will get free access to the VetCE OnDemand courses we create from the recordings on VetMedTeam so you can still get CE credits!
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