The Hill’s Global Symposium live stream was available to all 21,000 symposium registrants from 34 countries. Pictured from left, members of the Hill's Pet Nutrition team: Lisa Restine, DVM, DAVBP (feline), Dr. Patricia Ponce; Karen Shenoy, DVM;and Debra F. Horwitz, DVM, DACVB. Photos courtesy Hill's Pet Nutrition Set against the backdrop of Cancun’s sun-drenched beaches and azure waters, the 2024 Hill’s Global Symposium Oct. 23 to 25 brought together a diverse group of veterinary professionals, researchers, and industry experts to discuss the role of the gut microbiome in pet health. The “Nourishing the Gut, Nurture the Future” event offered an opportunity to dive into a topic that remains largely unexplored in veterinary circles despite its growing importance in human health. The symposium served as a platform to examine the science behind microbiomes, their impact on animal health, and how this emerging field could shape the future of veterinary care. Featuring more than 17 industry experts, the event explored the significant role of the gut microbiome in canine and feline health, covering topics from its potential to modify disease and maintain health to its connections with the kidneys, brain, and skin. This year’s discussions also provided insights into the gut-kidney axis, highlighting the microbiome’s role in managing waste products and addressing chronic stress, particularly in cats. Hill’s Global Symposium keynote presenter Rob Knight, PhD, director of the Centerfor Microbiome Innovation at the University of California San Diego, discussed thepotential for the gut microbiome to help modify disease and maintain health in people, cats, dogs. Unifying these topics focused on Hill’s One Health Microbiome Resource (OHMR), the first and reportedly largest reference database combining microbial profiles from humans and companion animals. A collaboration between Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Curtis Huttenhower, MS, PhD, professor of Computational Biology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Mass., the OHMR includes microbial genomes, companion animal microbial community profiles, and integrated tools for research. This key development enables the integration of human and animal microbiome research, paving the way for more personalized treatments for pets, particularly those with chronic gut issues. Jenessa A. Winston, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM), assistant professor at The Ohio StateUniversity College of Veterinary Medicine, presented on the clinical utility of dysbiosisdiagnostics during the Hill’s Global Symposium. The symposium also explored the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies into veterinary practice, highlighting their potential benefits and associated risks. AI systems are becoming increasingly vital in diagnostics, helping veterinarians identify patterns for quicker, more accurate diagnoses. The discussions emphasized the growing reliance on task-specific AI in diagnostics and treatment recommendations but also acknowledged the need for careful training to prevent errors, particularly when dealing with outliers or unique cases. Further, the event highlighted the absence of regulatory oversight for AI in veterinary medicine, proposing a risk-based framework for its safe implementation. Ethical considerations were central to the conversation, focusing on using AI to support, rather than replace, veterinary expertise while ensuring responsible data handling to maintain trust with pet owners. In highlighting the gut microbiome, the 2024 Hill’s Global Symposium provided a platform for veterinary professionals and researchers to explore new developments in veterinary science. Discussions on cutting-edge research and technologies emphasized the growing need for collaboration and innovation. As the veterinary community continues to embrace new ideas, events such as the symposium serve as a reminder of the importance of advancing education, research, and technology to improve pet care and overall animal health. Jean A. Hall, MS, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM), professor at the Oregon State UniversityCarlson College of Veterinary Medicine, discussed the role of food supplementedwith betaine and prebiotics on gut microbiome modulation and benefits for catswith chronic kidney disease. The event was live-streamed in English and Spanish, with Karen Shenoy, DVM, U.S. chief veterinary officer at Hill’s, hosting the English stream. Additionally, Hill’s has made a collection of recorded sessions from the symposium available online at https://na.hillsvna.com/en_US/explore-courses/hills-global-symposium/hgs-2024-symposium/.
