Purina Institute Events

Holger Volk, DVM, DECVN, PhD, PGCAP, FHEA, MRCVS

The gut–brain axis and diet play important roles in the management of canine idiopathic epilepsy, its comorbidities, and cognition.

Learn from globally renowned experts about evidence-based, clinically relevant microbiome science for practicing veterinarians.

Jan S. Suchodolski, MedVet, DrVetMed, PhD, AGAF, DACVM Marcus Böhme, MSc, PhD Holger A. Volk, DVM, PhD, PGCAP, DECVN Natasha J. Olby, VetMb, PhD, DACVIM

Speakers from The Microbiome, the Gut and Brain Function section of the 2023 Companion Animal Nutrition Summit answer presentation-related questions.

Natasha J. Olby, VetMb, PhD, DACVIM (Neurology)

An overview of the relationship between gut and oral microbiomes and neurodegenerative diseases and whether microbiota manipulation can influence canine brain health.

Holger A. Volk, DVM, PhD, PGCAP, DECVN

A review of dietary management strategies to improve brain health, slow brain ageing, and help manage neurologic and cognitive disorders in dogs.

Marcus Böhme, MSc, PhD

An overview of the relationship between the gut microbiota and age-related changes in the brain, including opportunities for microbiota-based interventions in brain ageing.

Ragen T. S. McGowan, PhD

Anxiety-related behavioral issues are a top reason why pet owners relinquish dogs to shelters. Learn about anxiety prevalence, its signs, contributing factors and methods for modification. Dr. McGowan details the research that supports the roles of nutrition, the gut-brain axis and a novel dietary intervention in behavioral modification of anxious dogs.

Karin Allenspach, Dr.med.vet. DECVIM-CA, PhD, AGAF

Delve into the growing evidence that supports the pivotal role of the gut-brain axis in cognition, anxiety and epilepsy in humans and pets.