Live – October 14, 2025 at 6:00 pm ET
Feline vector-borne diseases can mimic other conditions, making accurate diagnosis challenging and increasing the risk of misdiagnosis and serious health consequences. This presentation aims to improve patient care by equipping veterinary professionals with the latest data on feline vector-borne diseases.
A central focus will be a recent study highlighting the prevalence of feline heartworm disease and its misclassification as feline asthma or gastrointestinal disorders. These findings offer valuable insights for refining diagnostic strategies and emphasize the importance of heartworm testing and prevention in cats.
The session will also cover emerging information on feline tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease and Cytauxzoonosis, providing attendees with up-to-date knowledge to support clinical decision-making.
Learning Objectives
After attending this webinar, participants should be able to:
- Recognize the diagnostic challenges of feline heartworm disease and explain how it can mimic other conditions, such as asthma or gastrointestinal disorders.
- Describe recent developments in the understanding of feline Lyme disease and Cytauxzoonosis.
- Explain practical strategies for detecting and preventing vector-borne diseases, including optimizing heartworm disease prevention and tick control.
Speaker Bios
Amber Whittle, DVM, CVA
Dr. Amber Whittle earned her DVM from Mississippi State University in 2010. Following graduation, she began practicing small animal medicine in eastern Pennsylvania, and in 2015, she earned her certification in veterinary acupuncture. After eight years in clinical practice, Dr. Whittle began a career as a medical writer, collaborating with both animal health and human pharmaceutical companies. In 2022, Dr. Whittle joined Zoetis as a Professional Services Veterinarian, and in 2024, she transitioned to the role of Feline Parasiticides Medical Affairs Manager at Zoetis. Her professional interests include raising awareness around feline parasitic risks and the importance of feline parasite prevention.
Dr. Whittle resides in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with her husband and daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys vacationing with her family and spending time with her cat, Fivvy, and her Golden Retriever, Pizza.
RACE Credits
RACE Credits
This program is pending approval by the AAVSB to offer a total of 1.0 CE Credits (1.0 max) being available to any one veterinarian, and/or 1.0 Veterinary Technician CE Credits (1.50 max). This RACE approval is for the subject matter category (s) of: Medical, using the delivery method(s) of: Interactive Distance. This approval is valid in jurisdictions that recognize AAVSB CE; however, participants are responsible for ascertaining each board’s CE requirements.