New collaboration will provide practical, evidence-based resources for companion animal veterinarians across Europe
The Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA) and Royal Canin have launched a new educational partnership to provide veterinary professionals across Europe with practical, evidence-based resources to support everyday companion animal practice.
The partnership will produce four clinical factsheets and infographics, focusing particularly on gastrointestinal disease and neonatology, including nutritional management. The first factsheet, on Canine Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy (CIE), is now available and will be distributed to veterinarians at the WSAVA/FECAVA/PSAVA Congress in Warsaw, Poland (13–16 October).
A practical approach to canine CIE
Chronic inflammatory enteropathy can present a complex diagnostic and management challenge. The new two-page factsheet, based on the latest scientific insights, provides a clear, step-by-step approach, from initial suspicion and exclusion of extra-gastrointestinal causes through dietary trials, monitoring and reassessment.
It highlights the central role of dietary management and offers practical guidance on selecting an initial nutritional strategy based on the dog’s clinical presentation and diet history, followed by transition, exclusive feeding and regular monitoring. It also outlines how to assess response and when further diagnostics, additional treatment or specialist input should be considered.
Up to 90% of dogs with CIE are food-responsive
A key message of is that up to 90% of dogs with CIE are food-responsive, with many maintaining long-term clinical remission through dietary management alone. The factsheet therefore encourages clinicians to undertake appropriate diet trials, maintain an effective diet when additional therapies are introduced, and tailor management to the individual patient.
Effective management also depends on clear communication with owners. Helping clients understand the impact of the recommended dietary plan, what changes to monitor and what information to report to the veterinary team is an important part of assessing response and guiding ongoing treatment.
Evidence-based advice
The factsheet has been adapted from the 2026 ACVIM Consensus Statement and the 2026 JSAP Dietary Management Recommendations and was developed jointly by FECAVA and Royal Canin.
Ann Criel, FECAVA President, said: “Chronic inflammatory enteropathy in dogs is not always easy to diagnose or treat. This evidence-based factsheet will provide valuable support to veterinarians in their everyday practice when managing these complex cases. Royal Canin’s many veterinary nutritionists contributed their expertise to the development of these resources.”
Daphne Meijer-Westgeest, Royal Canin Health Affairs Lead for Europe, added:” At Royal Canin we are committed to helping to advance veterinary knowledge and translating our expertise in dogs’ and cats’ nutrition into practical, precise and tailored solutions. The partnership with FECAVA allows us to support veterinary professionals in their daily work, and help improve the health outcomes for pets – which is our shared objective across the pet ecosystem.”
Supporting veterinary education across Europe
The CIE factsheet is the first of four educational resources planned through the FECAVA–Royal Canin partnership. The collaboration is designed to safeguard the educational independence and reliability of the resources. Content is overseen by mutually agreed specialists, with the final content remaining under their control. The materials do not include product advertising.
The partnership also includes educational activities at FECAVA congresses and opportunities to extend education on the topics covered through FECAVA’s member associations.
Veterinary professionals can download the “Canine Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy (CIE)” factsheet from the FECAVA website and the Royal Canin Academy.
The new factsheet complements FECAVA’s wider library of educational resources, covering topics including dentistry, vector-borne diseases, endocrinology, anaesthetic protocols, zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance. Explore the full collection here.
