Veterinarians at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine recently developed Feline Apoptosis Inhibitor Macrophages (FAIM), a genetic test that detects predisposition to progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). By swabbing a cat's cheek, clients can help determine whether their cat is at high risk of developing these diseases years before clinical signs present themselves.

“Catching the disease early means cat owners can cut out certain foods and medications to maintain their pet’s health and slow the disease’s progression. That’s the big problem with this disease: You don’t know it is coming until it is too late,” Nicolas F. Villarino, DVM, DVSc, PhD, DACVCP, said in the WSU Insider.

“Once it is identified, there’s no way back, and those cats will likely require lifelong medical therapy.”

Matthew Wun, MS, DVM, a veterinary resident in WSU's College of Veterinary Medicine, demonstrating how to collect a DNA Sample from a cat with the help of Nicholas F. Villarino, DVM, DVSc, PhD, DACVCP (Image courtesy Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine/Ted S. Warren)

CKD is a progressive condition that causes kidneys to deteriorate, which often results in kidney failure and death. For feline patients, approximately 30% to 50% older than 11 years have some form of this disease, causing cardiovascular disease, anemia, and hypertension. In extreme cases of CKD, clients can spend thousands of dollars on care for their pet, but there is no cure.

The icteric cat: diagnosis and treatment of common feline hepatopathies

FAIM was able to be created due to a genetic variation that affects the productivity of a protein responsible for kidney pair, which was identified in 2016 by Villarino and other collaborators from the WSU Program in Individualized Medicine (PrIMe).

 According to the WSU Insider, Villarino first noticed this genetic mutation during a study at WSU examining the biomarkers of kidney disease in cats. Once Villarino and the team looked closer after one cat was behaving differently than the others, they noticed an alternation in a gene that codes for the protein that is responsible for kidney repair.

“I’m a scientist, and we’re always doing studies, so to get to a point where we can actually take the science and potentially help pets live a longer life is a really great feeling,” Villarino said.

Through the testing, Villarino hopes it can open doors to drug development and treatment for CKD and potentially be used by professional cat breeders to try to limit the number of cats with this disease.

For the test, pet owners can purchase it now for $100 by emailing Villarino directly at nicolas.villarino@wsu.edu, but they will soon be available online through WSU’s PrIMe.

 After receiving the test, owners can then swab their cat’s mouth and send the samples back to the center to be processed using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction testing.

These tests are possible with support from the WSU Office of Commercialization, the Washington Research Foundation, and dedicated donors Kay Fowler and Kay Yarborough Nelson, who were all determined to see the test come to fruition.

“This test aims to benefit the lives of so many cats and their owners, and there is no way we could have done this without donor support,” Villarino said.

Babcock J. Genetic test detects early signs of kidney disease in cats. WSU Insider. July 31, 2025. Accessed August 5, 2025. 

https://news.wsu.edu/press-release/2025/07/31/genetic-test-detects-early-signs-of-kidney-disease-in-cats/

Evangelista GCL, Hwang JK, Broughton-Neiswanger LE, et al. Apoptosis inhibitor of macrophages in cats: a potential link between an exon 3 variant allele and progression of naturally occurring chronic kidney disease. 

. 2025;39(4):e70136. doi:10.1111/jvim.70136

Articles

WSU veterinarians unveil a groundbreaking genetic test for early detection of chronic kidney disease in cats, enhancing pet health and longevity.

Genetic screening offers early insight into feline CKD

Veterinarians learn to identify New World screwworm cases and avoid sending irrelevant samples to overwhelmed labs in this essential Vet Watch update.

Vet Watch update: New world screwworm or not? What vets should and shouldn’t submit to labs 

update, Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, discusses the potential arrival of New World screwworm in the US this year and explains what veterinarians should do if they suspect a myiasis case. He also advises against sending nonrelevant samples like compost maggots to laboratories, which are already overwhelmed.

New World screwworm invasion update: A looming threat to US borders

Vet Watch: Tips and pitfalls of dermatology in the new age of isoxazolines

Vet Watch update: New tick species is implicated in alpha-gal syndrome

Real-world ophthalmology: Diagnosing and managing eye conditions in pet

Vet Watch: What’s going on with the rattlesnake vaccine (Crotalus atrox toxoid) and the USDA?

Now, if you’ve watched my videos, you know that I talk a lot about the New World screwworm, 

. Obsession? Well, I mean, maybe a little, but mostly because it’s poised to land in the US this year.

So, what should you actually send to labs like [National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL)]? Maggots in your compost or manure? 

Worms or wormy things your clients say fell off their pet? 

Labs are swamped with samples. So, here’s the rule of thumb: if it isn’t feeding on flesh— that is, true myiasis—it’s almost certainly not screwworm. If you have a myiasis case and are concerned, then you have 2 options:

Try to ID the maggot first to see if you should be concerned. 

How do you do that? Check the article, linked below, for an ID guide.

Screwworms: when the larvae don't care about boundaries

Stay safe, stay alert and keep tuning into Vet Watch, only at 

Videos

Have a suspected myiasis case? Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, explains what to do, in this Vet Watch update.

Vet Watch update: New World screwworm or not? What vets should and shouldn’t submit to labs 

New research suggests that using homogeneous tin-117m (Sn-117m) microparticles (HTMs) delivered via radiosynoviorthesis—a procedure where radioactive particles are injected directly into a joint—may slow the progression of osteoarthritis.

 The study, "Evidence of Osteoarthritis Disease Modification With a Sn-117m Microparticle Device: A Review and Validation in Mammalian Models," found that this treatment (Synovetin OA; Exubrion Therapeutics) reduced synovial inflammation, cartilage degradation, and osteophyte formation in preclinical rat models with surgically induced osteoarthritis.

According to Exubrion Therapeutics, veterinarians have used Synovetin OA to treat thousands of canine patients with arthritis since it was launched in 2021.

The therapy consists of 1 outpatient injection into the patient’s joint, which provides relief from inflammation and pain related to arthritis for up to 1 year.

Bennett, a patient who received Synovetin OA. (Image courtesy of Exubrion Therapeutics)

“Until now, treatments for arthritis in dogs have focused primarily on managing symptoms without much ability to address the underlying inflammation that causes pain, reduced mobility, and disease progression,” Bob Menardi, DVM, chief veterinary officer at Exubrion Therapeutics, said in a company news release.

“Synovetin OA is a breakthrough in treatment that specifically interrupts the vicious inflammatory cycle. This newly published research in rodents provides hope for slowing the course of the disease.”

In dogs, arthritis is caused by joint inflammation, which leads to pain, cartilage breakdown, lameness, limited mobility, and reduced quality of life.

 The disease affects up to 80% of senior dogs and at least 1 in 4 adult dogs.

According to the study, which was published in 

, 4 clinical trials in dogs with mild to severe elbow osteoarthritis were conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness of HTMs over a 1-year posttreatment period.

 The trials found that most participants continued to experience pain relief and joint improvement for up to 1 year, even after there were no active HTMs remaining in the joint.

In a reinjection study, 50% of dogs showed no progression of osteoarthritis on imaging, “suggesting HTMs’ capacity to slow disease advancement,” noted the authors of the study

“Unlike [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs], which relieve pain without addressing etiology, Sn-117m targets the source of inflammation. Corticosteroids are effective anti-inflammatories when delivered into the joint but can cause thinning of cartilage, bone loss, and joint instability,” they continued.

In the preclinical research in rats, the therapy also showed a disease-modifying effect. Specifically, the treatment led to a 73% reduction in inflammation and a 65% reduction in cartilage degeneration.

“This review substantiates Sn-117m [radiosynoviorthesis] as a transformative veterinary therapy, bridging preclinical insights with clinical outcomes that strongly support a positive disease-modifying mechanism,” wrote the authors of the study.

Newly published research shows groundbreaking joint treatment changes the course of dog arthritis management. News release. Exubrion Therapeutics. July 22, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/newly-published-research-shows-groundbreaking-joint-treatment-changes-the-course-of-dog-arthritis-management-302510973.html 

Bendele A, Doerr CA, Gonzales GR, Menardi R, Schreiber E, Stevenson NR. Evidence of osteoarthritis disease modification with a Sn‑117m microparticle device: a review and validation in mammalian models. 

 2025;12:1621296. doi:10.3389/fvets.2025.1621296

The therapy “interrupts” the inflammatory cycle of osteoarthritis.

New research finds canine osteoarthritis treatment may have disease-modifying effect

 conference in National Harbor, Maryland, is just around the corner. This CME event will be held from September 12 to 13, 2025, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on the banks of the Potomac River. The agenda includes up to 160 hours of CME and allows each attendee to earn up to 17 total credits.

This Fetch National Harbor conference will feature a keynote talk each morning. Speakers leading these presentations will be Christopher G. Byers, DVM, DACVECC, DACVIM (SAIM), CVJ, founder of CriticalCareDVM.com and a practicing veterinary emergency and critical care and small animal internal medicine specialist, and Leilani Alvarez, DVM, DACVSMR, director of integrative and rehabilitative medicine at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York, New York.

Alvarez’s talk will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025, and focuses on how movement can help extend quality of life and lifespan. The discussion will cover the benefits of regular exercise for reducing pain, elevating mood, and promoting cardiovascular fitness in veterinary patients while reducing risk of disease such as chronic illnesses and certain cancers.

Later on Friday, Alvarez will present 3 additional CE sessions. Her topics include “Neuro Rehab 101: How to Help All Your Neuro Patients,” “How to Help Amputees—and Those Who May Not Need It!”, and “How to Identify and Treat Digit OA.”

Byers will take the keynote stage on Saturday, September 13, 2025, with a talk on common feline and canine hormone disorders such as adrenocortical and thyroid disease. Byers will also provide tips for managing endocrinopathies while presenting case studies from real patients.

Following his keynote, Byers is presenting several more CE sessions on Saturday. His topics include “Urethral Obstruction in Male Cats,” “Practical Management of Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs,” and “Making Sense of Chronic Vomiting in Cats.”

For more information about Fetch National Harbor and to register, visit 

https://registration.dvm360.com/fetch-coastal-2025

. Follow news and live updates from Fetch National Harbor at 

A Fetch conference is ready to launch in National Harbor, Maryland.

Conference Insider (July/August 2025)

Hill’s Pet Nutrition has a new president that has been with the parent company of Hill’s for more than 2 decades. Meanwhile, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing animal health through science has appointed a new CEO, and a regenerative medicine company based in Massachusetts has a new director of technical services.

Continue reading to learn more about each of these individuals.

Marc Bordelon, DVM, MBA, director of technical services, Hilltop Bio

Marc Bordelon, DVM, MBA, director of technical services, Hilltop Bio. (Image courtesy of Hilltop Bio)

The veterinary regenerative medicine company Hilltop Bio today announced Marc Bordelon, DVM, MBA, was appointed the company’s new director of technical services. With more than 20 years of experience in clinical and leadership role, Bordelon will work with David Dutton, DVM, chief veterinary officer at Hilltop, to broaden the company’s technical capabilities and help improve products and support clinical engagement.

“I couldn't be more excited and energized to accept the opportunity to join Hilltop Bio!” said Bordelon in a company news release.

 “...I feel fortunate that I have the ability to utilize my years of clinical and business experience to help grow the companion animal sector and ultimately improve the lives of pets and those who care for them!”

Ike Nicoll, CEO, Morris Animal Foundation

Ike Nicoll, CEO, Morris Animal Foundation. (Image courtesy of Morris Animal Foundation)

Ike Nicoll, prior CEO and board member of US Retina, has now joined the nonprofit organization, Morris Animal Foundation, as its new CEO. Nicoll has more than 3 decades of experience spearheading large-scale transformations that combine health care, technology, and growth, and is known for helping organizations scale sustainably while contributing to the growth of partnerships, data innovation, and evidence-based systems.

"Ike's track record of building innovative, mission-focused organizations stood out to us immediately," Jonathan Jachimiec, Morris Animal Foundation trustee and interim president and CEO, said in an organizational news release.

 "He brings the kind of strategic leadership and long-term vision that will help the Foundation expand its reach, deepen its scientific impact and ensure the health of animals around the world."

Yvonne Hsu, MBA, president, Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Yvonne Hsu, MBA, president, Hill’s Pet Nutrition. (Image courtesy of Hill’s Pet Nutrition)

At Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Yvonne Hsu, MBA, an alum of Cornell University, was promoted to president of the organization. In addition to her promotion, Hsu was also elected a corporate officer by Colgate-Palmolive’s—the parent company of Hill’s—board of directors. Hsu has a background in animal health, with her most recent role being president and general manager of Hill’s Pet Nutrition US. Prior to that, she was the company’s executive vice president of Global Growth & Innovation. According to Hill’s, Hsu first joined Colgate-Palmolive in 2000.

“It's a privilege to lead Hill's Pet Nutrition, a company synonymous with scientific excellence and an unwavering commitment to pet health and well-being,” said Hsu in a news release.

 “As a proud pet parent to Max, Asher and Annie, I see firsthand the impact our nutrition has on pet health. I look forward to building on our strong foundation of innovation and professional advocacy to ensure we continue to deliver industry leading nutrition that meets the evolving needs of pets worldwide and drive growth for Hill's.”

Hilltop Bio welcomes Dr. Marc Bordelon as director of technical services. News release. Hilltop Bio. August 1, 2025.

Morris Animal Foundation name Ike Nicoll as chief executive officer. News release. Morris Animal Foundation. July 1, 2025. Accessed August 1, 2025. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/morris-animal-foundation-names-ike-nicoll-as-chief-executive-officer-302495042.html

Yvonne Hsu named as new president of Hill’s Pet Nutrition. News release. Hill’s Pet Nutrition. July 10, 2025.

New leadership moves, recognition, and achievement.

Paws and profits: New president at pet nutrition company, and more

Watch the short video to hear Ellen Behrend’s, VMD, PhD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), answer.

Does SGLT2 inhibitor use increase the risk of UTIs in cats with diabetes?

In this video clip, Ellen Behrend, VMD, PhD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM), consultant at Veterinary Information Network and Joezy Griffin Endowed Professor and Alumni Professor Emeritus at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses the potential risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in cats with diabetes on sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Behrend explains that researchers do not yet have a definitive answer for whether this new class of medication increases the risk of UTIs in cats. Still, she compares cats on insulin to those on SGLT2 inhibitors, noting that both often have glucose in their urine and therefore the risk may be comparable.

Can cats on an SGLT2 inhibitor go into remission?

Should cats on an SGLT2 inhibitor go on a special diet?

Why does PU/PD improve in cats on SGLT2 inhibitors?

Below is the interview transcript, which has been lightly edited for improved clarity:

Ellen Behrend, VMD, PhD, MS, DACVIM (SAIM): 

I'm Ellen Behrend. I am a board-certified small animal internist with a special interest in small animal endocrinology. I spent the majority of my career as a faculty member at Auburn University, and I now am a consultant for Veterinary Information Network.

A really common question is: Does [SGLT2 inhibitor use] increase the risk of [UTI]? That's a question they've looked at with thousands of humans, and the best they can say right now is we don't really think so. Maybe there's a slight increase. My guess is it's not going to make much of a difference in the overall population of cats. The vast majority of [cats with diabetes] on insulin have glucose in their urine the majority of the day, so this is probably not much different. And I don't think we're going to see much of a difference in [UTI] incidence in cats on SGLT2 inhibitors.