Winners of the 2024 VETTY Awards Grand Prize received crystal towers, similar to those shown from a 2023 awards ceremony, in a presentation at the VMX 2025 on January 26..

The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) recognized the winners of the 2024 VETTY Awards program, during the NAVC’s 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando, Florida. The honorees included 7 grand prize winners.

These awards recognize excellence in advertising, public relations, digital, social media, design, events, promotions, educational materials and other projects aimed at promoting the contributions of the animal health care industry in keeping patients healthy. The winners include 30 Gold, 43 Silver, and 46 Bronze level recognitions, in addition to the grand prize recipients.

Gene O’Neill, CEO of NAVC, noted that the organization is proud to celebrate the work of these professionals across the animal care industry. “They really bring out the heart and science of veterinary medicine with animals at the center of it all,” O’Neill said in a news release.

The 2024 VETTY Awards Grand Prize winners are as follows

Best in Show (For Profit) Award: “Love Forever Home Commercial” by Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and VETEOS. Category: Television Commercial.

Best In Show (Nonprofit) Award: “Animal Health Corridor Spirit of Service - PawsAbilities” by Animal Health Corridor and JNA Advertising. Category: Public Service Video.

Large Animal Award: “The Equine Practice Company’s Lameness Program” by The Equine Practice Company and Brown Fox Creative House. Category: Large Animal Video.

“Merck Animal Health @ VMX 2024” by Merck Animal Health and Sparks. Category: Tradeshow Booth.

"Zoetis Test for Success in Clinic Activation" by Zoetis & FWD People. Category: In-Clinic Merchandise, Educational

“Pet Parent Journey: A Guide for Brand Managers” by S&A. Category: Agency Self Promotion.

NAVC Spotlight Award: “Hill’s Prescription Diet–Silent Sufferers” by Hill’s Pet Nutrition and VML. Category: Campaign–Consumer.

Karen Shenoy, DVM, chief veterinary officer of Hill’s US, said the grand prize awarded to the “Silent Sufferers” project was a key VMX highlight for its’ team. In an interview with 

she thanked the NAVC for the recognition and discussed the award-winning campaign.

The concept was all around certain conditions that cats or dogs may have where they kind of mask the symptoms and that a pet parent may not realize that their pet is sick, and just raising awareness and helping them recognize that some things that might seem like real subtle differences could actually be signs that the pet is ill and that they need to see their veterinarian,” Shenoy added.

The 2024 awards program began accepting entries this past September. Entries included those submitted by agencies, professional associations, veterinary clinics, and advocacy groups, as well as companies representing pet pharmaceuticals, foods and diagnostic equipment. Leaders in the creative marketing field comprised the panel of judges that reviewed these entries to determine the winners.

“This year’s VETTY Awards winners showcased many of the advancements in animal medicine, a deep understanding of the animal health care audience, technological developments and memorable creative campaigns. We saw a lot of advancement in how marketing messages were delivered, including gamification and the incorporation of AI technology. Through their creative and strategic work, they are really making a difference,” O’Neill said.

The winners were presented with their awards during a reception at the Hyatt Regency Orlando on January 26, 2025. They and their works are also highlighted on 

2024 VETTY Awards recognizes marketing excellence in animal health care worldwide. News release. January 20, 2025. Accessed February 5, 2025. 

https://navc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/01-20-25-FINAL-Press-Release-2024-VETTY-Awards-Winner-Announcement-Jan-20-2025-1.pdf

2024 VETTY Awards Winner. North American Veterinary Community. Accessed February 5, 2025. 

https://thevettys.com/winners/2024-winners/

Articles

The program's 2024 winners were recognized in a ceremony in Orlando, Florida, during this year's Veterinary Meeting & Expo

NAVC presented VETTY Awards at VMX 2025

During this interview with Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO,he shares common mistakes veterinary professionals assume to be true when treating patients with corneal ulcers

Video interview on corneal ulcer misconceptions with Dr Alex Sigmund

 prior to his lectures at the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) conference, Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO, known as "The Eye Guy" on social media, shared with listeners some of the common misconceptions that he comes across when discussing corneal ulcer treatments, including some surrounding the use of antibiotics and what their impact is on patients. Throughout the interview, Sigmund debunks these common mistaken truths and provides insight into the reality of the treatment.  

I think in general, antibiotics do not heal ulcers. Ulcers will heal themselves. The antibiotic is really just there as a prophylactic therapy to help prevent infection, just because dogs are very, very prone to getting infected ulcers compared to humans, you know, as comparison. And so if that ulcer is again, you know, a week later and it's still there. We don't necessarily have to change our antibiotic because it may still be a superficial maybe now it's an indolent ulcer. There's no infection, so that antibiotic is still doing its job. So we don't need to just keep changing antibiotics just because it's not healing unless we have identified that the current antibiotic did not prevent infection and now we need to switch to one that is going to treat a current infection. 

So I think there's a misconception that just adding an antibiotic isn't going to hurt anything, and it doesn't really matter what type of antibiotic that we choose, but it does in the long term, because we only have so many topical antibiotic choices in veterinary medicine, and resistance is fast coming upon us

Videos

Alex Sigmund, DVM, DACVO, shares fallacies surrounding these eye conditions in pets, including the role of antibiotics in treatment

Corneal ulcers: Common misconceptions

Karen Shenoy, DVM, discusses the importance of a healthy microbiome and the work being done to study more about how it affects pets.

What the microbiome means for pet health

Microbiome science is being explored by researchers and addressed by Hill’s Pet Nutrition in some new and enhanced prescription diet and science diet products including those introduced at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX), presented by the North American Veterinary Community, in Orlando, Florida. In an interview with 

0 at VMX, Karen Shenoy, DVM, chief veterinary officer for Hill’s US, discussed the importance of a healthy microbiome and the work being done to study more about how it affects pets and how that knowledge can be applied to their diets.

The following is a transcript of the video:

: The microbiome is a collection of microbes and all kinds of different organisms that are throughout our body. We actually talk the most about the gut microbiome, and you hear about how what's in your gut and how the different microorganisms that live there can affect you system-wide. It can affect all kinds of different organ systems, and is really important in health and disease that we're thinking about keeping the gut microbiome, not just ourselves, but our microbes that live within us and within our pets good and healthy.

The microbiome is so important as we think about new ways that we may be able to help manage pets or keep them healthy. And Hill’s has been looking into the microbiome and doing a ton of research in that space for more than a decade. We're actually really proud of a partnership we have with the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, and through that, we're not only sharing knowledge and innovating and thinking about how we can help pets, but actually sharing the information both that that school has, that we have around the microbiome in a public way through this one health microbiome resource, so that we can help get data out there, make sure that we're able to help support both pet and human health, and all the advances that can happen within the microbiome space.

Karen Shenoy, DVM, chief veterinary officer for Hill’s US, provided insights about the link between diet and gut health, in a dvm360 interview at VMX.

Interview about the impending screwworm threat

Chris Lee Screwworm interview

Screwworms may not be top of mind for most veterinarians today, but that could soon change. Once eradicated from the United States, these parasites have been steadily moving northward through Central America and have now reached Mexico. In this interview with 

, Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, explains why the potential return of screwworms is a serious concern, how they differ from other maggot infestations, and what veterinarians need to know to be prepared if the spread continues in the US. 

Screwworm case in Mexico prompts emergency response in the United States


All right. Well, thank you for having me. My name is Christopher Lee. I'm a preventive medicine specialist. I've worked across the board in veterinary medicine, from scrubbing kennels as a young kid to being an associate, a medical director, and an owner. I've done emergency medicine, day practice, and I still do a lot of ER work.

Recently, I was honored to be part of the editorial advisory board for 

, and I am also one of the NAVLE item writers. So, for those who have recently passed the boards—I do apologize—because a lot of those questions were mine!

I'm looking forward to talking about screwworms. It's something we haven't thought about for quite a while. While the government does worry about it, it has always seemed theoretical—probably not an immediate concern. However, it is something that could impact all of us, and the implications are terrifying.

To put it into perspective: if we look back at white-tailed deer in the southeastern United States and across the country, in 1950, we had fewer than half a million deer, and they were under threat. There were other factors involved, but screwworms alone were threatening extinction in certain areas.

By 1966, screwworms were eradicated from the U.S., and within 10 years, the deer population increased tenfold. That is the kind of impact we are talking about.

I recently saw a video and a picture while talking to a friend. We were looking at a deer that had been invaded by screwworms. The parasites had burrowed through the skin, through the muscle, and through the bone—into the brain. And the poor animal was still alive.

Screwworms belong to the genus and species 

, which is the New World, or Western Hemisphere, screwworm. It has always been present in South America, but over the last few years, we've seen a steady northward movement.

It has spread through all of Central America and has now reached Mexico. The question of whether it will arrive in the United States is not "if," but "when." If that happens, we will see myiasis cases on a regular basis.

What makes the New World screwworm so concerning is that it causes primary myiasis. To clarify, myiasis occurs when a human or animal has live maggots feeding on them. Right now, in the US, we only see secondary myiasis, which means maggots are feeding on dead or decaying tissue.

For example, if you're a large or small animal veterinarian and you see an animal with maggots, you always ask, 

 As an ER vet, I see this regularly. It’s dramatic when people see maggots in a wound, but as a clinician, I recognize that secondary myiasis can actually be beneficial—maggots clean out dead tissue and help prevent gangrene.

However, primary myiasis is a different story. 

 is an obligate parasite, meaning it requires 

 tissue to survive. That’s what makes it so frightening—you don’t need an existing wound or infection for an animal or human to be infested.

If screwworms establish themselves in the U.S. again, we will be facing a severe and urgent problem in veterinary and public health.

With screwworms advancing northward into Mexico, veterinarians must prepare for the possibility of widespread infestations

Screwworms are moving north—are we prepared?

C Malambo/peopleimages.com/stock.adobe.com

Royal Canin, a global leader in pet health nutrition and one of the billion-dollar brands of Mars, Incorporated, announced during this year’s Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) that it is launching a new user-centric version of the Royal Canin Academy. According to the release, the transformation is aiming to make the learning journey for its users more engaging, efficient, engaging, and intuitive.

"For more than 50 years, Royal Canin has advanced the knowledge and understanding of pet health and nutrition, and the desire to share this knowledge led to the creation of the Royal Canin Academy," said Todd East, DVM, director of veterinary affairs, Royal Canin North America, in an organizational release.

Enhancements to the Royal Canin Academy platform include flexible learning, mobile learning and accessibility, updates to the interface, improved performance, and more. The veterinary professionals using the platform will have the ability to also access tailored course management, personal progression tracking, training resources, and step-by-step guides with users being able to select the methods that they learn best with.

"Now is the time to reimagine this platform in an industry where innovation is constantly surrounding us. This industry-leading platform will continue to expand upon Royal Canin's mission of educating pet professionals in a seamless and more impactful way," East continued.

To give back to their community, when a veterinary professional signs up for the Royal Canin Academy in 2025, Royal Canin will donate 4 meals to pets in need through the company’s partnership with Greater Goods, up to a limit of 60,000 meals donated to pets in need, according to the release.

Royal Canin was founded in 1968 by Jean Cathary, DVM, when during his career, he began to realize that food can have an impact on the health of animals.

 This lead him to create “yellow soup” for dogs, and the Royal Canin brand was registered. Four years later, the company was acquired by Guyomar’h Groupe, which brought to the company its expertise in diet formulation and nutritional precision.

Royal Canin would go on to be launched in the United States in 1985 with 4 importers before Guyomar’h Groupe was purchased by Paribas Affaires Industrielles, creating a shift in strategic direction, global development, and a geater ambition. Over the next couple of decades, Royal Canin would become part of Mars, Inc. and continue to expand its portfolio to become the pet food company it is known for today.

Royal Canin Academy Announces Advancements to Digital Learning Platform at VMX 2025. News release. Royal Canin. January 21, 2025. Accessed February 4, 2025. 

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/royal-canin-academy-announces-advancements-to-digital-learning-platform-at-vmx-2025-302355575.html

Royal Canin. Our History. www.royalcanin.com. Accessed February 4, 2025. https://www.royalcanin.com/us/about-us/our-history

The platform can provide flexible and mobile learning for veterinary professionals

Royal Canin unveils revamped digital learning platform

Jason B. Pieper, DVM, MS, DACVD talks about what goes into the diagnostic process for atopic dermatitis

Diagnosing atopic dermatitis

The diagnostic process for atopic dermatitis—one of exclusion—can be challenging. In an interview with 

on his lectures presented at the 2025 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX), Jason B. Pieper, DVM, MS, DACVD, assistant professor at Iowa State University, goes into detail about this process. In this video, Pieper discusses one of the first causes of pruritus that are usually ruled out first in the diagnostic process and talks about what should follow.

Below is a partial transcript which has been lightly edited for clarity.

Diagnosing atopic dermatitis is a matter of just ruling out all other causes of itching, which can be somewhat difficult at times. But one of the big things that we typically start to rule out is parasites, looking you know, whether it's fleas that could potentially be causing flea allergies. Also other parasites, like Demodex, scabies, things like that, that can cause pruritus, so that's a big one.

The other big ones we're always ruling out is infections. So secondary infections, whether it's bacteria, fungal, whether it's Malassezia or dermatophytes, those are other causes of pruritus.

Then we get to other kind of aspects of autoimmune diseases, keratinization disorders, endocrinopathies, that can also cause actually pruritus but then, you know, be kind of subsequent to that of causes. But once you rule out those, then the other aspect that becomes a little bit more difficult is ruling out food allergies. And once you rule out food allergies, you know, based on either clinical criteria or doing a good diet trial for them, then once you do that, you actually back yourself into a corner to say, ‘Yes, this dog has atopic dermatitis now,’ and you feel comfortable with that.

With food and environmental allergies or atopic dermatitis, you know, some of it can be ruled out honestly just from the history alone. If the animal is highly seasonal, that pretty much tells you it's not a food allergy, unless they [client is] feeding [them] something seasonal. So that's probably one of the things, just from the history alone, you can kind of rule out food allergies and make it easier on yourself as a you know, a veterinarian and a diagnostician.