Katie Tolbert, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee

"Exploring new therapies for a common cause of feline infectious diarrhea"

Trichomonosis is a rapidly emerging infectious disease of cats that is caused by the parasite, Tritrichomonas foetus. Unfortunately, despite its high prevalence, very little is understood about how this parasite causes disease and what methods can be used to treat it. In this presentation, Dr. Tolbert will discuss why infectious diarrhea such as that caused by T. foetus is such a concern for catteries and shelters. She will also review her Winn-sponsored research exploring novel therapies to treat T. foetus infection. If time permits, she will also share the results of her Winn-sponsored research investigating therapies for treating gastrointestinal ulceration in cats.

Melissa Beall, DVM, PhD
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Portland, ME

"Feline Leukemia Virus -- past, present, and perpetually perplexing"

Despite its discovery over 50 years ago, the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) continues to challenge our thinking about the nature of the disease and our ability to diagnose the infection. Testing, vaccination, and segregating progressively infected cats remain effective practices to help control the spread of the disease. However, we continue to refine our understanding of the different stages of the infection and how this relates to the results of available diagnostic assays. The complex viral behavior, which sometimes yields confusing test results, gives us a renewed appreciation for those cats who have this retroviral infection and are able to control it and go on to live a nearly normal life. Highlights from studies performed in collaboration with veterinary experts and shelters that successfully rehome infected cats will be presented. Results of this new research are helping to inform improvements in medical decisions and long-term patient care.