Purina and UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Announce 5-Year Collaboration to Advance Urinary Tract Health in Pets

Nestlé Purina PetCare to grant G.V. Ling Urinary Stone Laboratory up to $200,000 per year

DAVIS, Calif., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A collaboration between Purina and the University of California, Davis, will advance scientific understanding of urinary conditions in dogs and cats while providing exceptional care for patients experiencing urinary disease.

A Nestlé Purina PetCare grant of nearly $1 million over 5 years will support the School of Veterinary Medicine's G.V. Ling Urinary Stone Analysis Laboratory (USAL). It will allow companion animal veterinarians to provide free urinary stone analysis results to their patients. 

The collaboration holds promise for future innovations in veterinary urology by investigating new diets and supplements to expand stone diagnosis and new devices for managing urinary diseases in companion animals.

"Urinary diseases are common and often recurrent problems in companion animals. The shared goal of the USAL and Purina's global research teams is to advance the science of urinary tract health in companion animals by investigating the relationship between diet, environmental and patient factors, and urinary tract conditions, including urolithiasis," said Sheri Smithey, senior vice president, Global PetCare R&D at Purina. "Data obtained through the USAL submission process will be essential to helping us better understand these relationships and expand clinical and research endeavors to improve urinary health in dogs and cats."

Under the grant agreement, the USAL will provide free analyses and interpretations along with consultations to veterinary practitioners for up to 800 new stone submissions a year. By utilizing data submitted and analyzed by the USAL, researchers hope to gain a better understanding of urolithiasis management and abnormal tissue mineralization.

"Because the risk factors for urinary stone disease are complex and multifactorial, our goal is to better understand urolith formation while helping veterinarians work with their clients to tailor and optimize preventive management strategies," said USAL Director Dr. Jodi Westropp. She noted that the scope of veterinary urology research also extends to other common conditions such as feline idiopathic cystitis, as well as diagnostics and therapeutics for urinary tract infections in dogs.

UC Davis Veterinary Medicine has long led in urology research and treatment. In 2022, the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) American Board of Veterinary Specialties provisionally recognized the American College of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology (ACVNU) as veterinary medicine's newest specialty discipline. Decades in the making, the charge for ACVNU's establishment was led by Dr. Larry Cowgill, an alumni and professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, along with an organizing committee of leading experts in the field.

In addition, the school has long been a trailblazer in veterinary nutrition. With three board-certified nutritionists, UC Davis leads veterinary academia in nutrition research, clinical care, and training. Its 3-year residency program in nutrition is one of only six in the nation. 

"Thanks to this generous grant from Purina, we look forward to building stronger relationships with veterinary practitioners and providing them with evidence-based tools to better manage patients and meet their needs," said Westropp.

About Purina 
Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations. Purina manufactures some of the world's most trusted and popular pet care products, including Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Fancy Feast and Tidy Cats. Our more than 10,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year. Nearly 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition.

Purina promotes responsible pet care through our scientific research, our products and our support for pet-related organizations. Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive.

Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.

About UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has more than 700 students pursuing the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and other professional and graduate degrees, and offers the nation's largest veterinarian residency program with more than 40 specialties. More than $89 million in annual research funding is applied to benefit animal, human and planetary health. The school has around 50 clinical trials available at any given time to clients looking for cutting-edge care choices for their animals. The school's hospital treats more than 50,000 patients each year, and the school's programs extend across California and globally.

The school is ranked #1 nationally by US News & World Report.

SOURCE Nestle Purina PetCare