The WSAVA Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

The WSAVA Podcast

WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association)

Health & Fitness

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/19d. Total Eps: 17

Welcome to the official podcast of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, where we bring you conversations with leading veterinary experts from around the globe. Each season spotlights one WSAVA committee, sharing their knowledge, research, and insights through short, accessible interviews. Every fortnight, we speak with two experts on a shared theme, offering concise, engaging discussions designed to spark curiosity and guide you toward WSAVA’s extensive library of educational resources, webinars, and events. Hosted by WSAVA President Jim Berry, the podcast delivers focused conversations that connect you with the latest thinking in small animal medicine worldwide. You can find more educational resources from WSAVA here: https://wsava.org/education/

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇫🇷 France - medicine
23/07/2026
#89
🇫🇷 France - medicine
22/07/2026
#71
🇫🇷 France - medicine
21/07/2026
#38
🇫🇷 France - medicine
10/07/2026
#100
🇫🇷 France - medicine
09/07/2026
#82
🇫🇷 France - medicine
08/07/2026
#54
🇬🇧 Great Britain - medicine
27/06/2026
#95
🇬🇧 Great Britain - medicine
23/06/2026
#84
🇫🇷 France - medicine
21/06/2026
#83
🇫🇷 France - medicine
20/06/2026
#66

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

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https://wsava.org/education/
12 shares
https://wsava.org/committees/global-dental-committee/
6 shares
https://wsava.org/committees/hereditary-disease-committee/
5 shares

https://www.linkedin.com/in/crazycatvet/
2 shares
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drernieward/
2 shares
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-tutt-a6183a21/?originalSubdomain=za
2 shares

https://www.instagram.com/drernieward
2 shares
https://www.instagram.com/crazy_cat_vet
2 shares
https://www.instagram.com/cat_the_vet
1 share

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

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RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 78%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

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Genetic Testing for the Practicing Veterinarian

Season 1 · Episode 2

Thursday, October 9, 2025 • Duration 34:53

In this episode, host Dr Julian Hoad BSc(Hons) BVetMed Hon MBVNA MRCVS, President of the BSAVA, interviews two leading voices in veterinary genetics to explore what genetic testing means for everyday practice.

Dr Leslie A. Lyons, PhD, Gilbreath McLorn Endowed Professor of Comparative Medicine at the University of Missouri, has identified over 40 inherited DNA variants in cats and published more than 200 peer-reviewed studies. A long-standing leader in feline genetics, she discusses the role of genetic testing in both pedigree and non-pedigree cats, the importance of wellness-related variants such as blood type and coagulation factors, and the potential of whole-genome sequencing to bring precision medicine into the consulting room.

Later, Dr Catherine Mellersh, Senior Research Associate at the University of Cambridge and Head of the Canine Genetics Centre, shares her pioneering work in canine inherited diseases. With a research career spanning three decades and multiple international awards, she explains how DNA testing is helping breeders make informed decisions, the realities of complex conditions such as hip dysplasia, and the responsibilities of both breeders and puppy buyers in reducing inherited disease.

This episode brings genetics into the real world of general practice, offering clear insights into when and how testing can guide clinicians, breeders, and owners alike.

Resources & Links:

Canine Genetics Centre (CGC) – Led by Dr Catherine Mellersh, developing DNA tests to improve the health and welfare of future generations of dogs.
Canine Genetic Testing (CAGT) – The commercial arm of the CGC, offering a wide range of tests, with all profits reinvested in research.
University of Missouri – Feline Genetics and Comparative Medicine Lab – Dr Leslie Lyons’ lab, providing detailed information on breed-related genetic tests.
OMIA – Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals – Comprehensive catalogue of inherited disorders and genes in animals.
PawPeds – Information resource for feline genetics, breeding, and health.
DogWellNet – International Partnership for Dogs knowledge base.

Guest & Host Profiles:

Dr Leslie A. Lyons – ORCID
Dr Catherine Mellersh – Canine Genetics Centre
Dr Julian Hoad – LinkedIn

Click here for the full transcript

This podcast was edited and produced by Contento Media Ltd.

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Oral and Systemic Health

Season 2 · Episode 1

Thursday, February 12, 2026 • Duration 29:35

In the opening episode of the second series of the WSAVA Podcast, interviewer David Clarke speaks with two expert clinicians about the links between oral health, systemic disease, and animal welfare in companion animals.

Dr Maria Soltero-Rivera discusses how oral disease in dogs and cats is rarely limited to the mouth alone. She explores how oral lesions may be associated with a wide range of systemic conditions, and why careful oral examination and pattern recognition are essential parts of medical assessment. Dr Soltero-Rivera also reflects on the need to view dentistry as part of core medicine rather than an isolated procedure.

Later in the episode, Dr Jen Mathis, focuses on oral pain and its impact on welfare. She examines why dental pain is often missed in clinical practice, how it can influence behaviour and quality of life, and the implications of delayed treatment. Dr Mathis also highlights the role of effective anaesthesia and analgesia in supporting patient welfare during dental care.

Together, these conversations introduce key themes for the series and set the stage for a deeper exploration of veterinary dentistry across the full spectrum of care.

Resources & Links

From Genes to Traits

Season 1 · Episode 6

Thursday, December 4, 2025 • Duration 32:59

In this episode of the WSAVA Podcast, host Becky Murphy speaks with Dr Dan O’Neill about the evolving relationship between genetics, breed, and canine welfare, followed by Yaiza Gómez-Mejías in conversation with Dr Petra Černá on the importance of phenotypic screening in feline health. Together, these discussions explore how the traits we value today will determine the wellbeing of companion animals tomorrow.

Dr Dan O’Neill begins by challenging how we define “breed” itself. Drawing on his work as Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College, he traces the modern concept of breed to its human origins in the late 19th century - a time when social prestige, aesthetics, and competition overtook biology. He explains how this cultural construction has shaped today’s diversity of dogs, often fixing harmful mutations and extreme conformations into the gene pool. Yet, he argues, because breed is a human invention, it can also be reinvented to prioritise health.

In conversation with Becky Murphy, Dr O’Neill explores the difference between inherited and conformational disease, ultimately suggesting that the distinction may be artificial - all disease has an inherited component, whether behavioural, physical, or environmental. He calls on veterinarians to act as educators and advocates, engaging owners in honest and empathic dialogue about the health consequences of extreme conformation. He highlights the need for long-term cultural change, beginning with small, positive shifts: promoting healthy breeds on clinic social media, modelling good choices through the dogs veterinarians own themselves, and using non-judgmental language to encourage understanding rather than defensiveness.

Turning from dogs to cats, Yaiza Gómez-Mejías and Dr Petra Černá discuss the challenges of phenotypic screening in feline practice. Dr Černá explains that while genetic tests are expanding, many inherited disorders in cats still require clinical screening through radiographs, echocardiography, and careful physical evaluation. She emphasises the importance of accessible, high-quality testing and the role of general practitioners in guiding breeders toward responsible decisions even when definitive genetic information is lacking. From hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to hip dysplasia, she underlines that phenotypic screening - despite its limitations - is vital to improving welfare, reducing hereditary disease, and supporting the ethical stewardship of breeding lines.

Ethical Dilemmas of Treating Patients with Extreme Conformation

Season 1 · Episode 5

Thursday, November 20, 2025 • Duration 32:13

In this episode of the WSAVA Podcast, Dr Ernie Ward speaks with Professor Sorrel Langley-Hobbs and Dr Becky Murphy about the welfare, ethical, and clinical challenges created by extreme conformation in companion animals. Together, they examine how veterinarians can support individual patients while influencing the wider culture of responsible breeding.

Professor Sorrel Langley-Hobbs begins by exploring the growing burden of hereditary orthopaedic disease in cats - from hip dysplasia in Maine Coons to osteochondrodysplasia in Scottish Folds and limb deformities emerging in designer crosses. She explains how pattern recognition, radiographic screening, and genetic testing can help differentiate inherited from acquired conditions. Drawing parallels with canine orthopaedics, she stresses the need for clearer breed standards, better breeder engagement, and open conversations about neutering and quality of life - particularly for brachycephalic breeds such as the Persian, where respiratory and ocular disease are now widespread.

Dr Becky Murphy then shifts focus to dogs, describing how clinicians can ethically navigate breeding requests involving extreme conformation. She outlines the value of objective testing, including the Cambridge Respiratory Function Grading Scheme for brachycephalic dogs, and how to use both DNA and phenotypic screening data to guide breeding decisions. She discusses the practical differences between preservation and indiscriminate breeders, emphasises collaborative but firm communication, and advocates for a global shift toward prevention-focused, positive messaging that rewards function over form.

Together, these conversations call for veterinarians to act as both clinicians and advocates - treating the individual while championing healthier standards for the next generation.

Inherited Aspects of Common Diseases

Season 1 · Episode 4

Thursday, November 6, 2025 • Duration 31:04

In this episode of the WSAVA Podcast, host Wolfgang Dohne brings us two in-depth conversations that reveal how hidden genetic factors shape common clinical problems in cats and dogs. He first speaks with veterinary ophthalmologist Dr. Ursula Dietrich, who explores the genetic and conformational influences behind feline ocular disease. Later, he is joined by veterinary dermatologist Dr. Patrick Hensel to discuss hereditary contributions to canine atopic dermatitis and other skin conditions.

Dr. Ursula Dietrich shares her expertise on the challenges posed by brachycephalic cat breeds, where exaggerated conformation can lead to chronic corneal ulcerations, impaired tear film quality, and painful conditions such as corneal sequestrum and entropion. She highlights how some ocular diseases, once considered rare, are now emerging in clusters within popular breeds, including Maine Coons. Dr. Dietrich explains how responsible breeding practices and vigilant clinical monitoring can help reduce suffering, while also reflecting on genetic retinal degenerations and cataracts where tests now exist—or are under development—to guide breeding choices and early diagnosis.

In the second half, Dr. Patrick Hensel turns the spotlight to canine skin disease, particularly atopic dermatitis. Drawing from decades of clinical and research experience, he explains the multifactorial genetic and environmental interactions that drive allergic skin disease in dogs. From skin barrier defects to immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation, Dr. Hensel outlines the pathophysiology that makes management so complex. He also provides a practical framework for diagnosis and treatment, stressing the importance of ruling out parasites and infections, conducting elimination diets, and integrating modern therapeutics with immunotherapy for long-term control. He discusses breed predispositions, the lack of definitive genetic tests, and the ongoing international research efforts to establish biomarkers that may one day guide breeding and therapy.

Together, these conversations underscore the responsibility veterinarians share in recognising genetic patterns, guiding breeders, and supporting clients with realistic advice on lifelong management. By examining the genetic backdrop of both ocular and dermatological disease, this episode encourages practitioners to think more critically about hereditary influences in everyday cases.

Creating Healthy Dog and Cat Breeds

Season 1 · Episode 3

Thursday, October 23, 2025 • Duration 35:01

What does it really mean to create healthy dog and cat breeds in the 21st century? In this episode, host Yaiza Gomez Mejias speaks with two leading voices working at the frontlines of breeding, welfare, and behaviour: Helle Friis Proschowsky, Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen, and Lucy Hoile, feline behaviourist and author. Together, they explore the challenges of pedigree breeding, hybrid cats, and the shifting role of veterinarians in shaping the future of animal welfare.

Helle Friis Proschowsky opens the discussion with insights from her recent horizon topic paper “A new future for dog breeding”, co-authored with international colleagues including Dan O’Neill, James Serpell, and Brenda Bonnett. She explains how modern dog breeding practices evolved, the problems of exaggerated conformation and inherited disease, and how Denmark’s newly implemented legislation seeks to raise health standards across all breeders—not just kennel clubs or commercial operations. Proschowsky emphasises the need for veterinarians to become confident breeding counsellors, with continuing education in genetics and welfare assessment, while also acknowledging the importance of sensitive communication with breeders.

In the second half, Lucy Hoile brings the conversation into the world of cats—particularly hybrid breeds such as Bengals and Savannahs. Drawing on her work as a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist, she highlights the ethical concerns around early-generation hybrid breeding, including the welfare of domestic cats paired with wild species. Lucy describes the behavioural challenges hybrids may pose in the home—from territorial aggression to chronic stress—and outlines how physical and social environments must be adapted if these cats are to thrive. She argues that hybrids demand dedicated, knowledgeable guardianship and raises the question of whether such breeding should continue at all.

By the end of the episode, listeners are left with a powerful call: breeding choices carry profound welfare implications, and veterinary professionals, policymakers, and owners alike share responsibility for ensuring the next generations of dogs and cats live healthier, happier lives.

Diagnostics That Transform Dentistry

Season 2 · Episode 5

Thursday, April 9, 2026 • Duration 30:53

In this episode of the WSAVA Podcast, interviewer Izzie Tsai speaks with two experienced clinicians about why accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective dental care, and how much disease can be missed when diagnostics are underused.

First, Ana Nemec discusses the role of dental radiography in everyday practice. She explains why visual examination alone can underestimate pathology, and reflects on the importance of image quality, technique, and appropriate case selection when incorporating radiographs into clinical decision-making.

In the second conversation, Jan Bellows focuses on early detection and routine oral examination. He explores why dental disease is frequently overlooked, the value of consistently examining the oral cavity, and how simple diagnostic tools can improve communication and patient outcomes.

Together, these conversations reinforce a clear message: careful examination and appropriate imaging are central to responsible, evidence-based dental care.

Resources & Links

WSAVA Global Dental Committee
WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines
WSAVA Educational Resources
Evaluation of extraction sites for evidence of retained tooth roots and periapical pathology

Contributors

Ana Nemec, DVM, PhD, Dipl. AVDC, Dipl. EVDC, Assist. prof. – Website | Instagram | LinkedIn
Jan Bellows, DVM, DIPL, AVDC, ABVP (Canine & Feline Practice)

The Technician/Nurse: Improve Your Practice Dentistry

Season 2 · Episode 4

Thursday, March 26, 2026 • Duration 32:09

In this episode of the WSAVA Podcast, the focus turns to the vital role of veterinary nurses and technicians in strengthening dental care in everyday practice. Two conversations explore how the wider veterinary team can improve outcomes through better instrumentation, workflow, client communication, and home care support.

First, Maggie Burley speaks with Mary Berg about building a practical dental toolkit and using instruments safely and effectively. Mary highlights core tools for periodontal assessment and cleaning, including probing, subgingival instrumentation, and the importance of visibility. She also discusses sterilisation, sharpening, and instrument care, emphasising that consistent standards and good ergonomics support both patient safety and long-term team performance.

In the second conversation, Marcela Perez-de-Tudela is joined by Stephanie Johnson to discuss how technicians can help clients succeed with dental home care. Stephanie shares step-by-step strategies for introducing toothbrushing, keeping experiences positive, and recognising early warning signs that warrant veterinary assessment. She also discusses how to guide owners toward validated dental products and why regular oral exams, imaging, and tailored plans remain important even when home care is excellent.

Together, these conversations highlight how strong dental programmes are built by the whole team, combining practical skills in-clinic with effective support for owners at home.

Resources & Links

Contributors

Mary L Berg, BS, LATG, RVT, VTS (Dent) – | |

The WSAVA Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

The WSAVA Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other74

LinkedIn25

Instagram16

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other74

LinkedIn25

Instagram16