Purina Institute and WSAVA Partner to Advance Global Veterinary Care at the 51st World Congress in Warsaw

WARSAW, POLAND — The global veterinary community is preparing for a landmark gathering as the 51st World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Congress approaches. Scheduled to take place from October 13 to 15 in the vibrant and historic city of Warsaw, Poland, the upcoming congress is expected to draw thousands of veterinary professionals, researchers, and industry leaders from across the globe.

Among the key organizations shaping the scientific and educational landscape of the event is the Purina Institute, which returns as an ongoing Diamond Partner of the WSAVA. The Institute’s multifaceted involvement at WSAVA 2026—ranging from high-level educational programming to the exclusive sponsorship of a landmark global industry report—underscores its long-standing commitment to translating cutting-edge nutritional science into everyday clinical practice.

Delivered in official partnership with the Polish Small Animal Veterinary Association (PSAVA) and the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA), the 2026 congress will serve as a vital nexus for discussing the future of small animal medicine, tackling emerging clinical challenges, and establishing new benchmarks for patient care.

Main Facts

The collaboration between the Purina Institute and the WSAVA for the 51st World Congress centers on several high-impact initiatives designed to empower veterinary teams worldwide:

• Event Details: The 51st WSAVA Congress will be held from October 13 to 15 in Warsaw, Poland, uniting international experts in companion animal veterinary medicine.
• Diamond Partnership & Sponsorships: As a long-standing Diamond Partner of the WSAVA, the Purina Institute is the sole sponsor of the highly anticipated WSAVA Global State of Companion Animal Veterinary Practice Report 2026, which will make its official debut during the event.
• The "Food for Thought" Educational Stream: The Institute is spearheading a sponsored educational track featuring eight globally renowned speakers. The stream will spotlight critical, cutting-edge topics in veterinary medicine, including canine atopic dermatitis, antimicrobial stewardship, and feline kidney disease.
• Core Mission: The partnership is built upon a shared objective: making trusted, evidence-based nutritional science accessible and actionable, thereby placing nutrition at the center of pet health discussions to help animals live longer, healthier lives.
• Year-Round Collaboration: Beyond the annual congress, the Purina Institute actively supports numerous WSAVA committees—including Nutrition, Education, Animal Welfare, Wellness, One Health, and Therapeutics—while co-funding regional continuing education events, webinar series, and the WSAVA Nutrition Guidelines Course.

Chronology of the Partnership and Event Roadmap

The road to the 51st WSAVA Congress in Warsaw represents the culmination of years of strategic collaboration between global veterinary bodies and nutritional science leaders. Understanding the timeline of these initiatives reveals the deliberate, long-term approach both organizations take toward transforming veterinary medicine.

Phase 1: Foundational Collaboration and Committee Integration

Long before the countdown to Warsaw began, the Purina Institute established its role as a vital pillar of support for the WSAVA. Over the past several years, the partnership evolved past traditional financial sponsorship into active, hands-on scientific integration.

• Committee Contributions: Purina Institute scientists and experts began collaborating closely with key WSAVA working groups. This included contributing specialized insights to the Nutrition Committee (helping shape global nutritional assessment guidelines), the Education Committee, the Animal Welfare and Wellness Committees, as well as specialized inputs for One Health and Therapeutics initiatives.
• Educational Outreach: To bridge the gap between academic research and clinical application, the partnership expanded to include regional Continuing Education (CE) events, an annual global webinar series, and the widespread implementation of the WSAVA Nutrition Guidelines Course.

Phase 2: Pre-Congress Preparations and Report Development (Late 2025 – Early 2026)

As planning for the Warsaw congress intensified, behind-the-scenes efforts focused heavily on data collection and curriculum design.

• The Global State Report: Recognizing a critical knowledge gap regarding the operational, economic, and clinical realities faced by veterinary practices worldwide, the WSAVA initiated the development of the Global State of Companion Animal Veterinary Practice Report 2026. With the Purina Institute stepping in as the sole sponsor, researchers gathered extensive international data to map out trends, challenges, and opportunities within the veterinary profession.
• Curriculum Finalization: Organizers curated the "Food for Thought" educational stream, carefully selecting eight world-renowned speakers to address some of the most persistent and complex pathologies seen in modern small animal practice.

Phase 3: The Warsaw Congress (October 13–15, 2026)

The three-day event in Poland represents the high-water mark of this annual cycle:

• Day 1 (October 13): Opening ceremonies, keynote addresses, and the official launch of the WSAVA Global State of Companion Animal Veterinary Practice Report 2026. Concurrent sessions of the "Food for Thought" stream open to delegates.
• Day 2 (October 14): Deep-dive clinical sessions focusing on specialized care areas, including feline chronic kidney disease management and the latest breakthroughs in dermatology, specifically targeting canine atopic dermatitis.
• Day 3 (October 15): Forward-looking discussions on antimicrobial stewardship, integrative veterinary approaches, and cross-disciplinary panels involving WSAVA committee members before the congress draws to a close.

Supporting Data and Industry Context

Modern veterinary medicine stands at a crucial crossroads. Companion animals are living longer thanks to advances in diagnostics and therapeutics, but this increased longevity brings a rise in chronic, multi-systemic diseases. Furthermore, veterinary teams face unprecedented operational pressures, burnout, and shifting client expectations.

The Clinical Imperative: Nutrition as Medicine

Data from leading veterinary epidemiological studies highlight the growing prevalence of diet-responsive and nutrition-managed conditions in dogs and cats:

• Feline Kidney Disease: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects up to 30% of senior cats. Nutritional management—specifically tailored phosphorus and protein restriction combined with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation—remains the cornerstone of slowing disease progression and extending feline lifespan.
• Canine Atopic Dermatitis: Affecting approximately 10% to 15% of the canine population, atopic dermatitis requires multifaceted management. Emerging research emphasized within streams like "Food for Thought" demonstrates the profound impact of targeted cutaneous barrier support through essential fatty acids and specialized micronutrients.
• Antimicrobial Stewardship: With global concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the veterinary profession is under mounting pressure to optimize non-pharmacological interventions. Nutritional modulation of the gut microbiome and immune system plays an increasingly recognized role in reducing reliance on antimicrobials.

The WSAVA Global State Report: A Vital Industry Barometer

The exclusive launch of the WSAVA Global State of Companion Animal Veterinary Practice Report 2026 addresses a critical lack of macroeconomic and operational data within the sector. By examining metrics such as practice demographics, technological adoption, workforce well-being, and client compliance, the report provides veterinary associations, educators, and industry partners with the empirical foundation needed to support the profession effectively over the coming decade.

Official Responses and Leadership Perspectives

The significance of the Warsaw congress and the enduring partnership between the Purina Institute and the WSAVA is best captured by the leaders guiding these organizations.

Dr. Marianne Lomberg, Head of the Purina Institute, emphasized the core philosophy driving their presence at the event:

"The WSAVA World Congress offers an important opportunity to listen, learn and share science that can make a difference in everyday veterinary practice," stated Dr. Marianne Lomberg. "Through our ongoing partnership with WSAVA, we are helping make nutrition knowledge more accessible and actionable so veterinary teams can support healthier, longer lives for pets."

Dr. Lomberg further elaborated on the Institute’s overarching ethos, noting that scientific discovery achieves its highest value only when it is effectively disseminated:

"Purina Institute believes science is more powerful when it is shared. As a global professional organization, it shares Purina’s leading-edge research and evidence-based information from the wider scientific community in accessible, actionable ways, empowering veterinary professionals to use nutrition to help pets live better, longer lives. Its partnership with WSAVA reflects a shared goal: translating trusted, evidence-based nutrition science into practical guidance that empowers veterinary teams to put nutrition at the center of pet health discussions."

Leadership from the WSAVA, alongside representatives from PSAVA and FECAVA, have similarly praised the Diamond Partnership, highlighting how private-sector collaboration with strict scientific integrity elevates the standard of care available to veterinarians worldwide. By combining the WSAVA’s reach across more than 110 member associations with the Purina Institute’s deep research capabilities, the partnership bridges the gap between laboratory science and the exam room.

Implications for the Veterinary Profession and Pet Health

The outcomes of the 51st WSAVA Congress and the dissemination of its sponsored initiatives will reverberate far beyond the lecture halls in Warsaw. The implications of this gathering touch upon clinical practice, veterinary education, and the human-animal bond.

1. Elevating the Standard of Clinical Nutrition

For decades, nutrition was often viewed as a secondary consideration in veterinary treatment plans—something addressed only after a diagnosis was confirmed or when managing simple weight issues. Through targeted educational streams like "Food for Thought," the Purina Institute and WSAVA are working to reframe nutrition as a primary, dynamic therapeutic modality. Veterinarians attending the congress will return to their clinics equipped with actionable protocols for integrating nutritional assessments into every wellness exam, transforming diet from a routine maintenance choice into an active medical tool.

2. Empowering Veterinary Teams Against Burnout

The release of the WSAVA Global State of Companion Animal Veterinary Practice Report 2026 is expected to trigger vital conversations regarding workforce sustainability. By identifying key pressure points within global veterinary practices—ranging from administrative burdens to client communication hurdles—the report will provide actionable insights for clinic owners, educators, and policymakers aiming to foster healthier, more sustainable working environments for veterinary professionals and technicians.

3. Strengthening Interdisciplinary and Global Standards

Through its continued support of WSAVA committees—covering everything from Animal Welfare to One Health—the Purina Institute helps ensure that global guidelines remain dynamic, scientifically rigorous, and universally applicable. Whether a veterinarian is practicing in a high-tech metropolitan hospital in Europe or a resource-limited clinic in the developing world, the democratization of evidence-based guidelines ensures that millions of companion animals benefit from standardized, high-quality care.

Looking Ahead to Warsaw 2026

As October 13 approaches, anticipation within the international veterinary community continues to build. The 51st WSAVA Congress in Warsaw stands as a testament to what can be achieved when clinical expertise, rigorous scientific research, and dedicated industry partnership unite. For the thousands of veterinary professionals converging on Poland, the congress promises not only a deep dive into the latest medical breakthroughs, but a renewed sense of shared purpose: empowering veterinary teams to help pets live longer, healthier, and happier lives.