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. How pets eat and live matters to their health. The new UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and Purina collaboration investigates the relationship between diet, environmental and patient factors in canine and feline urinary health.Credit: UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
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.
The department’s expertise in this field has been instrumental in developing innovative surgical techniques and protocols for treating various urological conditions. **Key Points:**
* **Expertise in Urology:** UC Davis Veterinary Medicine is renowned for its expertise in urology, with a long history of research and treatment. * **Innovative Surgical Techniques:** The department has developed and implemented innovative surgical techniques for treating various urological conditions.
Purina is a global leader in pet nutrition and pet care, with a rich history spanning over 100 years. The company’s mission is to nourish, care for, and enrich the lives of pets and their owners. Purina’s commitment to pet health and well-being is reflected in its extensive research and development efforts.
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
