Purina Institute Events

Jessica Quimby, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), PhD

Get new insights into how the gut microbiome, uremic toxins, hydration, and diet interact to influence the health of cats with chronic kidney disease.

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.

Sarah M. A. Caney, BVSc, PhD, DSAM (Feline), MRCVS

Encouraging cats to consume more water is an important recommendation in a number of situations, including conditions associated with polyuria or increased fluid loss, lower urinary tract disease, chronic constipation and advanced age. Using different cases from her practice, Dr. Caney provides suggestions for supporting patient hydration and encouraging voluntary fluid intake.

Andrew Sparkes, BVetMEd, PhD, DECVIM, MANZCS, MRCVS

Cats are efficient at maintaining hydration. However, those cats with certain health conditions may benefit from greater total water intake. Dr. Sparkes provides a brief overview of feline hydration and the conditions in which water intake may be critical for health.

Brian Zanghi, PhD

Studies have indicated that water supplements can be highly palatable to cats. These studies demonstrated that cats not only drink more liquid, but maintained higher liquid intake when given access to nutrient-enriched water. Consequently, urine volume increased and urine specific gravity decreased. Cats that need greater hydration would benefit from a water supplement.

Brian Zanghi

Several studies support the use of nutrition in the management of brain health across the various life stages of dogs. DHA is critical for puppy brain and vision development, while medium-chain triglycerides help "feed" an aging brain. Explore numerous studies which show the benefits of nutritional intervention in cognitive decline, cognitive dysfunction syndrome and idiopathic epilepsy.