VMX 2025 Recap

Attendees at the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (Image courtesy of North American Veterinary Community)

The 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando, California, has officially concluded, but the dvm360 coverage has not! We have compiled this list of the current coverage we have available to readers on dvm360.com to provide an inside look for those not in attendance, or those who might have missed some news during all the conference excited.

Here is our highlights of this year’s VMX:

Sessions

Looking at iridociliary cysts

Kate Myrna, DVM, DACVO, a professor at the University of Georgia in Athen, shared during her lecture Looking at iridociliary cysts more information on what these cysts are in dogs or cats, how the occur, and how they originate in the back up of the pigmented epithelium of the patient’s iris or ciliary body of the iris. Throughout the coverage, readers will be presented with how to identify iridociliary cysts as well as diseases linked to them

Updates in pyoderma: diagnosis and treatment

Jason B. Pieper, DVM, MS, DACVD, an assistant professor at Iowa State University, presented during VMX on what happens when veterinary professionals treat pyoderma with topical therapy, and it is not successful. Throughout the lecture, he outlines the next steps that veterinary professionals can take for treating pyoderma in canine patients, plus recommendations based on guidelines published in Veterinary Dermatology’s 2014 “Guidelines for the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of canine superficial bacterial folliculitis”

Kevin Costner at VMX 2025: Finding your heart

Kevin Costner on stage at VMX (Image courtesy of VMX)

VMX kicked off this year with a keynote address delivered by Academy Award-winning actor, director, and producer Kevin Costner. During his address, Costner made connections between his journey through life as well as the calling that drives the work veterinary professionals do every day. Costner’s shared with attendees present at the address heartfelt stories about animals, perseverance, and purpose.

Tips for simplifying ophthalmic exam in general practice

Ron Ofri, DVM, PhD, DECVO, explained to attendees in his lecture Ophthalmic Exam Made Easy multiple ways that veterinary professionals can make ophthalmic examinations in general practices less scary. Ofri shared during the lecture multiple steps professionals can utilize to ensure these examinations are as smooth as they can be, and lead to a resolution for the patient’s ocular issues.

Interviews

Corneal ulcers in general practice

In an interview with dvm360 prior to his lectures at the VMX in Orlando, Florida, Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO, known on social media at TheEyeGuy, shared practical strategies for general practitioners to diagnose and manage corneal ulcers. He discussed early signs to watch for, the importance of reevaluation, and recommendations for the most effective Elizabethan collars.

Treating and managing Cytauxzoonosis in feline patients

During an interview Lindsay Starkey, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), participated in with dvm360 ahead of her lectures at VMX, she highlighted the importance of veterinary awareness of Cytauxzoonosis, a tick-borne disease in cats. She discussed its expanding geographic range, early clinical signs, evolving diagnostics, key considerations for veterinary professionals, and more.

Understanding mechanical ventilator types

Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia), director of training and staff development at Mount Laurel Animal Hospital in New Jersey, and a founder of the Anesthesia Nerds organization explained in this dvm360 interview the difference between mechanical ventilators used in the intensive care unit for long-term patient treatment and those used for administering anesthesia

Varroa mites and their effect on honey bees

Jörg Mayer, DVM, MS, DABVP, DECZM, DACZM, professor of zoological medicine at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens, sat down with dvm360 on-site at VMX to discuss how understanding varroa mite and how it effects an individual bee, as well as the colony, is required for their care.

News

Credelio Quattro launches at VMX

Elanco Animal Health announced during the conference that Lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel chewable tablets (Credelio Quattro; Elanco Animal Health), officially launched on the market and are available for order. The products provide canine patients protection against 6 parasites.

A drive to help wildlife affected by California fires

Those in attendance at VMX this year had the opportunity to donate to support animals affected by the wildfires in Southern California. North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) ran a fundraising drive with donations benefiting t Pasadena Humane Wildlife Relief Fund, which operates in the Greater Los Angeles area.

Virbac announces pheromone products

Virbac, a global leader in animal health, announced the launch of ZENIFEL Pheromone Products. ZENIFEL is a solution that was created to help feline patients relax and improve their wellbeing through the products ingredients, feline facial pheromones with Nepeta cataria extracts, a plant-based product also known as cat nip.

Service aiding pets and humans in crisis earns 2025 NAVC Gives Marquee Award

BestyBnB, based in Kansas City, Missouri, was named the 2025 NAVC Gives Marque Award winner. BetsyBnB is a service that connects care provides with pets of individual in crisis, and as the winner of this award, they will receive $25,000 to help the organization continue its mission to support animal and human wellbeing.