Video tutorials

Vet Professionals is pleased to offer a number of free-to-access videos aimed at veterinary professionals and pet owners.

In April 2020, during the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and with countries in ‘lockdown’ many cat owners found their access to veterinary services limited. To this end, we started a weekly Cat Café, where Feline Specialist Dr Sarah Caney provided free online talks for approx. 30mins, with a question and answer session to help support owners. We are continuing our Cat Café on a monthly basis - occurs the second Thursday of every 1 month(s) - if you wish to join us via Zoom - please click here for information on future sessions and Zoom log in information. If you have any suggestions for future topics, please contact us here. Recordings of the sessions are in the ‘Cat Café' tab below.

Following demand from veterinary professionals for a similar initiative, Sarah offered fortnightly ‘ten minute tips’ session aimed at vets and vet nurses. The ten minute tip sessions will be resuming in 2021 - stay posted for further information. Please click here for information on future sessions and Zoom log in information. If you have any suggestions for future topics, please contact us here. Recordings of the sessions are in the ‘Ten minute tips’ tab below.

Please also visit our Free Downloads and Useful Links pages to access relevant additional resources.

For online courses containing pre-recorded webinars please visit our CPD page.

Cat Café: tips for cat owners 8th April 2021

In this 42 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney shares her tips for cat owners ranging from making a cat friendly home, choosing a good cat carrier, some advice on feeding cats and a discussion on how stress associated with vet visits can impact on cats and their carers.

Also available as a podcast here

Cat Café: medicating cats: tips and tricks for success 11th March 2021

In this 47 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney discusses medication challenges commonly encountered by cat owners and tips for overcoming these.

Also available as a podcast here

Cat Café: What’s new in feline medicine? 11th February 2021

In this 39 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney discusses some newly available products for cats including a new pheromone product (Feliway Optimum), a new food (Purina Live Clear), a hydration supplement called Hydra Care and a medicine designed to stimulate appetite in cats called Mirataz.

Also available as a podcast here

Cat Café: Diabetes mellitus: results of an owner survey, 17th December 2020

In this 36 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney discusses the results of a recently published owner survey done by Vet Professionals. More than 700 owners of diabetic cats participated in the study – thank you so much if you were one of these! The results have helped us as veterinary professionals to better understand the perspectives and experiences of owners caring for diabetic cats.

Also available as a podcast here

Cat Café: Management of diabetes mellitus, 26th November 2020

In this 53 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney explains how diabetes mellitus is treated in cats and what carers can expect in terms of outcome. Home monitoring of diabetic cats is also covered. Sarah will present the results from an owner survey (of carers of cats with diabetes mellitus) and host an informal Q&A at the cat café session on 17th December 2020.

Also available as a podcast here

Cat Café: How can I tell if my cat has diabetes mellitus and what does this mean?: 19th November 2020

In this 40 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney explains what diabetes mellitus is and what signs carers might see in their cats at home. Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is also covered. Sarah will present ‘Management of diabetes: what does this involve?’ in a cat café session on 26th November 2020.

Also available as a podcast here

Cat Café: Nursing sick cats at home: 29th October 2020

In this 40 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney provides some tips for care of sick cats at home including how to provide a cat friendly environment, encouraging sick cats to eat and drink and how to medicate cats. Sarah will present ‘How can I tell if my cat has diabetes mellitus and what does this mean?’ in a cat café session on 19th November 2020.

Also available as a podcast here

Cat Café: What is telemedicine and how can carers optimise its success? 15th October 2020

In this 36 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney explains that telemedicine includes consultations done over the phone, video or email. Sarah explains how carers can increase the success of a telemedicine appointment by providing their vet clinic with as much clinically relevant data as possible. Sarah will present ‘Nursing sick cats at home: top tips for carers’ in a cat café session on 29th October 2020.

Also available as a podcast here

Cat Café: Treatment options for hyperthyroidism 1st October 2020

In this 49 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney talks about the options for management of hyperthyroidism including oral medications, an iodine-restricted food, surgery and radioiodine. Sarah will present ‘What is telemedicine and how can carers optimise its success?’ in a cat café session on 15th October 2020.

Also available as a podcast here

Cat Café: What is hyperthyroidism and how is it diagnosed? 17th September 2020

In this 36 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney talks about hyperthyroidism – a common condition of older cats. Sarah explains what is known about this condition, what clues of illness a carer can spot and how vets can confirm the diagnosis. Sarah will present ‘Treatment options for hyperthyroidism’ in a cat café session on 1st October 2020.

Also available as a podcast here

Cat Café: Caring for senior cats: preventative healthcare of older cats, 30th July 2020

In this 43 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney talks about lifestage-appropriate healthcare of cats: what this means and why she thinks it is so important in maintaining health and well-being in older cats. Sarah advocates the International Cat Care guidelines (catcare4life.org) and explains what this involves for the cats and their carers. Sarah includes lots of tips on what to look out for as a carer and when to contact your vet clinic for further advice.

Cat Café: Caring for senior cats: cognitive dysfunction syndrome support, 23rd July 2020

In this 41 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney talks about cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) which is similar to Alzheimer’s disease in people. Sarah explains what the common behaviour changes are with this condition, how it can be investigated by vets and how carers can support their affected cat. At next week’s session at 4pm on 30th July, Sarah will present a webinar "Preventative healthcare of cats: what’s recommended and why?".

Cat Café: Caring for senior cats: arthritis support for the older cat, 16th July 2020

In this 34 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney talks about osteoarthritis, a common cause of pain and mobility problems in older cats. Sarah explains how to spot the signs of arthritis in your cat and discusses the many ways this condition can be successfully managed. At next week’s session at 4pm on 23rd July, Sarah will present a webinar "Cognitive dysfunction syndrome support".

Cat Café: Caring for senior cats: What are the common older cat illnesses? 9th July 2020

In this 35 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney talks about the common older cat illnesses, how common each of these are and what signs carers can look for as clues of these illnesses. At next week’s session at 4pm on 16th July, Sarah will present a webinar "Arthritis support for the older cat".

Cat Café: Caring for senior cats: What changes with increasing age? General care tips for older cats. 2nd July 2020

In this 35 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney talks about what changes occur as cats age, when to consider a cat ‘old’ and how to provide general support for coat, nails, eating and drinking. At next week’s session at 4pm on 9th July, Sarah will present a webinar "What are the common older cat illnesses", the second in a series of webinars about senior cat care.

Cat Café: Feline lower urinary tract disease: Toileting accidents – 25th June 2020

In this 33 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney talks about toileting accidents – when urine and/or faeces are passed outside the litter box. Sarah discusses reasons why this can happen, how vets investigate such cases and what carers can do to reduce the likelihood of repeat problems at home. At next week’s session at 4pm on 2nd July, Sarah will present a webinar "General care tips for older cats", the first in a series of webinars about senior cat care.

Cat Café: Feline lower urinary tract disease: Tips for encouraging cats to drink more – 18th June 2020

In this 32 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney discusses when it might be helpful to encourage drinking in a cat – such as those with FLUTD and those with chronic kidney disease. She talks through many tips for encouraging drinking from choosing a suitable bowl to making flavoured waters for your cat. At next week’s session at 4pm on 25th June, Sarah will present a webinar "Toileting accidents and how to manage these". Toileting accidents can be a feature of FLUTD and several other medical conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Cat Café: Feline lower urinary tract disease: Idiopathic Cystitis – 11th June 2020

In this 38 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney discusses feline idiopathic cystitis and what is known about the causes and management of this condition. At next week’s session at 4pm on 18th June, Sarah will present a webinar "Tips for encouraging cats to drink more" – a strategy which is helpful in many cats with lower urinary tract disease and also in cats with chronic kidney disease.

Cat Café: Feline lower urinary tract disease: Causes of FLUTD – 4th June 2020

In this 31 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney explains what FLUTD is, how common it is and what causes it. At next week’s session at 4pm on 11th June, Sarah will present a webinar "feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC)" in which she will explain what FIC is and how best to manage this in your cat.

Cat Café: Systemic hypertension: Treatment of Hypertension - 28th May 2020

In this 35 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney explains how systemic hypertension is treated in cats including some tips on how best to give pills or liquid medication to cats. Sarah explains the typical check-ups needed, what other tests might be recommended in order to understand the cause of the hypertension and what the long term outlook is for cats diagnosed with this condition. At next week’s session at 4pm on 4th June, Sarah will present a webinar "What causes feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)" in which she will explain what FLUTD is, how common it is and what causes it.

Cat Café: Systemic hypertension: Assessing blood pressure in cats - 21st May 2020

In this 35 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney explains how blood pressure can be measured in cats including some videos showing the technique. Interpretation of blood pressure readings is included with discussion on how to diagnose genuine hypertension versus situational (stress associated) hypertension. At next week’s session at 4pm on 28th May, Sarah will present a webinar "Treatment of hypertension" in which she will explain how vets treat and monitor patients with systemic hypertension. Sarah will also give some tips for administering tablet and liquid medications to cats.

Cat Café: Systemic hypertension: what is this and when should I worry about this in my cat? - 14th May 2020

In this 35 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney presents the first in a three part series about feline hypertension (high blood pressure). Sarah explains what hypertension is, what causes it and how common it is. She follows by advising carers on what signs of hypertension they can look for, when screening for hypertension is recommended and some tips for a stress-free journey to the vet clinic. At next week’s session at 4pm on 21st May, Sarah will present a webinar "Assessing blood pressure in cats" in which she will explain how vets and nurses assess blood pressure and diagnose systemic hypertension.

Cat Café: Treatment of CKD: beyond diet, what helps? - 7th May 2020

In this 38 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney explains what treatments are available for CKD in cats and how they can help in addition to therapeutic renal diets discussed last week.

Cat Café: Nutritional support of CKD: why is a special diet so important? - 30th April 2020

In this 42 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney explains what the characteristics of a therapeutic renal diet (TRD) are, why a TRD is recommended as part of management of cats with CKD and how they can help with quality and length of life. Recognising that transitioning to a new diet is often very challenging, especially in cats that are ill due to CKD, Sarah includes tips for achieving dietary compliance and options to discuss with your vet clinic if you remain concerned. At next week’s session at 4pm on 7th May, Sarah’s presentation will be: ‘Treatment of CKD: beyond diet, what helps?’.

Cat Café: Does my cat have kidney disease – how can I know? - 23rd April 2020

In this 48 minute webinar (recorded 23rd April 2020) Dr Sarah Caney presents a webinar titled: ‘Does my cat have kidney disease – how can I know?’. Sarah explains where the kidneys are, what they do and how to spot signs of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in your cat. Finally, Sarah explains how vets confirm a diagnosis of CKD. At next week’s session at 4pm on 30th April Sarah’s presentation will be: ‘Nutritional support of CKD: why is a special diet so important?’

Cat Café: Nursing sick cats at home - 16 April 2020

In this 30 minute webinar (recorded 16th April 2020) Dr Sarah Caney discusses how cat owners can collect ‘clinical’ information with their cats at home, especially if worried about their cat during the current COVID ‘lockdown’. Sarah explains what information is helpful for vets and how to collect this – for example how to measure heart and respiratory rates, monitoring water and food intake and collecting weight measurements. Finally there are some tips for encouraging cats to eat and drink where owners have concerns over either of these. At next week’s session at 4pm on 23rd April Sarah’s presentation will be: ‘Does my cat have kidney disease: how can I know?’

Here's what others are saying about our Cat CafÃ©:

Love them, so informative and very well presented

I appreciate your regular updates

Most enjoyable and informative

It is every time good experience

Thank you so much for all that you do through Vet Professionals. I've learned so much from you and my cats have benefitted enormously as a result

Dr Sarah Caney's Cat CafÃ© is an oasis of quality information on feline health and care in what is otherwise a desert of mediocrity

Just want to say a massive thank you. I am a human nurse and the information given in the sessions is at a good level to understand but also enough to make me think about things too! Thank you

The Cat CafÃ© talks are informative, have practical applications in the home environment and are presented in a very easy to listen to informal manner. I would highly recommend them. Aine, Ireland

Thank you most sincerely for this outstanding series, it is a truly invaluable resource for committed cat owners. It can help us help our vets to care for our cats by allowing us to more accurately observe our cats and note any significant changes or causes for concern. Thank you to Sarah and all involved in bringing this Cat CafÃ© to us, it is very much appreciated. From Aedamair , mum of Birman twins Poppy and Figaro

Nursing the sick cat at home: I watched this to look for methods to help improve telemedicine consults from a Vets point of view. I found it very useful. I always find Sarah Caney's webinars to have great content and are clear and concise. Thank you for all your resources and great content

I've attended and watched recordings of 2 sessions on CKD, which I found very informative. It was interesting to learn of the advances in treatment since I cared for my CKD cat in 2012. Thank you for providing a valuable service to cat owners!

Vet Professionals website is a great source of information which I have referred to for many years, Sarah's books too have been invaluable. Very happy with the support you are providing, particularly during this difficult time. Keep doing what you're doing, thank you!

Thanks for the care and effort to make cat care as up to date as medically possible

Very informative and helpful. I'll be joining again next week for sure.

(from Debs, carer of Buff)

I just wanted to thank you for the wonderfully informative ‘Cat CafÃ©’ talks you are currently hosting. Living through these testing times is not made any easier when there are some conflicting and often confusing reports circulating out there regarding our precious pets. Listening to a trusted voice such as yours has provided much needed reassurance and clarity and has certainly helped to allay the worries and concerns us cat owners have been experiencing. Your talks are helping to restore a sense of calm and put things in perspective so thank you for taking the time to run these, it really is appreciated.

(from Mel, carer of Rufus)

Very much enjoying watching the Cat CafÃ© recordings, really informative and helpful - they are a fantastic idea.

(Kirsty, carer of Nico, Elmo, Percy and Megan)

COVID-19 – information for cat owners - 9 April 2020

This 24 minute video (recorded 9th April 2020) updates cat owners on what new information has emerged about SARS-CoV-2 in the last week and how this may impact on cats and cat owners. Sarah’s next cat café (Thursday 16th April) will discuss ‘Nursing sick cats at home’. If interested in joining Sarah at a cat café session, please contact us and feel free to let us know any questions you have so Sarah can cover these in future sessions.

COVID-19 – information for cat owners - 2 April 2020

This 30 minute video (recorded 2nd April 2020) explains what COVID-19 is and what its relevance is to cat owners. There is information on our current understanding of cats’ susceptibility to this infection, whether there may be any risks of a cat passing on COVID-19 to their carer and how to cope with some of the challenges associated with the current ‘lock down’ and potentially limited access to some veterinary clinical services. During April Sarah will host weekly Zoom meetings (what we are calling our ‘cat café’) to discuss COVID-19 and ‘lockdown’ challenges for cat owners. If interested in joining Sarah at a cat café session, please contact us and feel free to let us know any questions you have so Sarah can cover these in future sessions.

How to assess coat condition

In this one minute video (filmed in 2018), Sarah discusses how to assess coat condition and when changes in coat condition may be seen. Video included with kind permission of Dechra Veterinary Products.

Telemedicine for veterinary patients

In this 50 minute webinar, recorded in April 2020, Dr Sarah Caney of Vet Professionals Ltd and Hannah Newbury of MSD deliver a joint presentation on telemedicine for veterinary clinicians. Sarah presents tips from her years of experience of telephone referral consultations and Hannah includes some information on the value of telemedicine to clients and how to facilitate delivery of medications during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. The full Q and A session is included making this webinar last a total of 90 minutes.

How to palpate for a goitre

This 2 minute video (filmed in 2018) explains how clinicians can palpate the thyroid gland. Palpation of a goitre (enlarged thyroid) is useful in helping to identify cats suffering from hyperthyroidism. Video included with kind permission of Dechra Veterinary Products.

How to take a urine sample

In this 2 minute video (filmed in 2018), Sarah demonstrates how to collect a urine sample from a cat via cystocentesis, explaining the procedure and providing tips for clinicians. Video included with kind permission of Dechra Veterinary Products.

How to take a blood sample

In this one minute video (filmed in 2018), Sarah discusses and demonstrates how to collect a blood sample from a cat. Video included with kind permission of Dechra Veterinary Products.

How to assess mobility

In this one minute video (filmed in 2018), Sarah discusses the importance of including a mobility assessment in the examination of elderly cats that may be vulnerable to osteoarthritis. Video included with kind permission of Dechra Veterinary Products.

How to perform an eye examination

Learn from Sarah how to perform a distant, indirect eye examination on a cat. This technique is especially helpful in looking for ocular manifestations of systemic hypertension (see also the Free Download on this topic for examples of ocular pathology in hypertensive cats). This one minute video (filmed in 2018) is included with kind permission of Dechra Veterinary Products.

How to assess body condition

In this one minute video (filmed in 2018), Sarah discusses how to assess body weight, body condition score and muscle condition score in cats. Video included with kind permission of Dechra Veterinary Products.

How to measure blood pressure

In this two minute video (filmed in 2018), Sarah discusses how to measure blood pressure using the Doppler methodology. Video included with kind permission of Dechra Veterinary Products.

Indirect ophthalmoscopy (filmed in 2009)

A four minute video tutorial demonstrating examination of the eyes using distant indirect ophthalmoscopy with additional information on what to look for as evidence of systemic hypertension. See also the Free Downloads page (vet section) for many more resources on this topic (included with kind permission of Elanco, formerly Novartis Animal Health).

Cystocentesis in cats (filmed in 2009)

A two minute video tutorial on cystocentesis aimed at veterinary professionals (included with kind permission of Elanco, formerly Novartis Animal Health).

How to give a pill to your cat

In this one minute video (filmed in 2018), Sarah advises how best to give a pill to a cat. Video included with kind permission of Dechra Veterinary Products.

Owners Tips on Pilling A Cat

This video montage was compiled in 2018 following a competition Vet Professionals ran asking for owner videos of pill administration to their cat. It shows ten cats receiving oral medication. Videos are included with kind permission of the owners and their cats (listed below in order of appearance) and Dechra Veterinary Products who assembled the montage.

With much thanks and appreciation to:
Frodo with carer Marjolijn, Sybil with carer Brenda, Geoffrey with carer Alison, Clarence with carer Pauline, Ginge with carer Sue, Noodles with carer Zoe, Susie with carer Ros, Josie with carer Lucy, Rupert with carers Viki and Paula and Mylo with carer Leanne.

Chronic kidney disease in cats: key facts for carers (2017)

A seven minute webinar by Dr Sarah Caney that outlines what chronic kidney disease (CKD) is, how it may affect your cat, how it is diagnosed and how it can be treated. During the webinar, Sarah refers to a Free Download on collecting urine samples from cats at home. This resource is available on our Free downloads page.

Tips for giving oral medications to cats (filmed in 2009)

This two minute video includes a number of tips on hiding medication in food and a tutorial on how to give a pill to your cat (included with kind permission of Elanco, formerly Novartis Animal Health).

How to… calculate tube feeding nutritional requirements 18th November 2020

In this 17 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney explains how to calculate resting energy requirements in cats and how to plan the first few days of tube feeding support.

Also available as a podcast here

How to… place oesophagostomy feeding tubes in cats 28th October 2020

In this 17 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney provides some tips on placing oesophagostomy tubes in cats. The next ‘Ten minute tips’ session will be at 1.30pm on 18th November, when Sarah will present a webinar "How to... calculate tube feeding nutritional requirements".

Also available as a podcast here

How to… place naso-oesophageal feeding tubes in cats 14th October 2020

In this 17 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney provides some tips on placing naso-oesophageal feeding tubes in cats. Sarah also discusses the pros and cons of these tubes and how they can be of value beyond nutritional support. The next ‘Ten minute tips’ session will be at 1.30pm on 28th October, when Sarah will present a webinar "How to... place oesophagostomy feeding tubes in cats".

Also available as a podcast here

How to… encourage voluntary food intake in anorexic cats 30th September 2020

In this 18 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney provides some tips on encouraging voluntary food intake in anorexic cats – from finding and fixing causes/complications such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalances to using appetite stimulants. The next ‘Ten minute tips’ session will be at 1.30pm on 14th October, when Sarah will present a webinar " How to…place naso-oesophageal feeding tubes in cats".

Also available as a podcast here

How to… assess food intake and triage anorexic cats – 16th September 2020

In this 16 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney provides some tips on assessment of anorexic cats – when to worry, when nutritional support is urgently needed and how to get the best out of your history, physical exam and routine lab tests. The next ‘Ten minute tips’ session will be at 1.30pm on 30th September, when Sarah will present a webinar "How to… encourage voluntary food intake in anorexic cats".

Also available as a podcast here

How to…interpret BP measurements in cats – 2nd September 2020

In this 13 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney discusses how to interpret BP readings: what’s normal, what’s low and what’s high plus how to decide whether a patient has situational hypertension or genuine systemic hypertension. The next ‘Ten minute tips’ session will be at 1.30pm on 16th September, when Sarah will present a webinar "How to… assess food intake and triage anorexic cats ".

Also available as a podcast here

How to… assess the eyes for evidence of hypertensive damage – 19th August 2020

In this 14 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney explains how an eye examination can help in the diagnosis of systemic hypertension. She also includes information on the equipment needed to do an eye examination, useful techniques and what to look out for. The next ‘Ten minute tips’ session will be at 1.30pm on 2nd September, when Sarah will present a webinar "How to… interpret BP readings in cats".

How to…get reliable BP measurements – 5th August 2020

In this 14 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney provides some tips on choice of BP monitor and obtaining reliable measurements using either the Doppler or oscillometric methodologies. The next ‘Ten minute tips’ session will be at 1.30pm on 19th August, when Sarah will present a webinar "How to… assess the eyes for evidence of hypertensive damage".

How to… minimise situational hypertension – 22nd July 2020

In this 14 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney explains what situational hypertension is, tips for minimising its impact and strategies for deciding whether an increase in blood pressure is genuine or due to situational hypertension. The next ‘Ten minute tips’ session will be at 1.30pm on 5th August, when Sarah will present a webinar "How to… get reliable BP measurements".

How to… manage cats with FIC – 8th July 2020

In this 13 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney discusses her key strategies for successful management of FIC. The next ‘Ten minute tips’ session will be at 1.30pm on 22nd July, when Sarah will present a webinar "How to… minimise situational hypertension".

How to… interpret USG results in cats – 24th June 2020

In this 15 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney discusses when and how to assess and interpret urine specific gravity (USG) in cats. The next ‘Ten minute tips’ session will be at 1.30pm on 8th July, when Sarah will present a webinar "How to…manage cats with idiopathic (stress) cystitis".

How to… collect urine samples from cats – 10th June 2020

In this 20 minute webinar, Dr Sarah Caney discusses when a urinalysis is helpful, how to perform a cystocentesis and how to collect free catch urine samples from cats. The next ‘Ten minute tips’ session will be at 1.30pm on 24th June, when Sarah will present a webinar "How to…interpret USG results in cats".

Here's what others are saying about our Ten Minute Tips:

"Thank you very much for your entire wonderful input on sharing knowledge"

Marcin Wolski DVM

"I very much enjoy your ten minute vet tips on your website. They are really useful and I like that I can learn some helpful information in my breaks at work! It’s good to have accessible, relevant cpd in small bites. In particular the ocular exam using a hand lens is great."

Laura Atkinson MRCVS