CatCon Goes to VMX
This week Team CatCon hit VMX, (Veterinary Meeting and Expo) in Orlando, Florida for the very first time. The event, hosted by NAVC (North American Veterinary Community) is the biggest in the world, with 1,300 lectures taking place over four days. Cats, dogs, horses, birds, reptiles – all get equity with experts, vet techs and veterinarians from around the globe, all looking to make a difference and a better life for our animal friends.
Improving Mental Health and Wellness in the Vet Industry
Dr. Joe Owens of Las Vegas (who spoke at CatCon 2023) talked briefly with us about some of the trends he saw at this year’s show. “I noticed a strong focus on mental health and wellness in our industry, and it was amazing to see! VMX did a fantastic job incorporating all aspects of personal development and improving quality of life for veterinarians both on and off the clock. Plus, the yoga, meditation, and stretch sessions inside the exhibit hall were a big hit with attendees. The overall vibe was inspiring and uplifting!”
New Trends in Cat Care
On the feline front, a wide variety of subjects were covered, ranging from new trends in surgery to feline behavior. Workshops like “Purr-Fecting Your Practice for the SICK Feline Patient” led by Dr. Natalie Marks (CatCon speaker in 2019) focused on vets helping their staff to better read feline body language and recognize the signs of pain as well as how to address it.
Who’s Who at VMX
Celebs and influencers were in attendance, including keynote speaker Kevin Costner (shown in the top image), sponsored by Boehringer Ingleheim. Costner talked at length about his love of pets, and gave a heartfelt thanks to the vet community for all they do. Musicians Dan and Shay provided the Opening Night entertainment, and influencers like Nathan the Cat Lady, Sterling “TrapKing” Davis, and the Dr. Tannetje Crocker walked the exhibit floor for chats and selfies.
Support for Southern California
Los Angeles was on everyone’s mind during the show, with brands like Greater Good onsite talking about ways to help, as well as NAVC – the host of VMX. “So many animals in Southern California have been impacted by the catastrophic fires…and are in immediate need of homes and medical care. The veterinary community understands how urgent these needs are and are looking for ways to contribute and help now,” said NAVC CEO Gene O’Neill. “Nearly 30,000 veterinary professionals from more than 82 countries will be gathered together at VMX 2025 [and] NAVC will provide easy opportunities for them to make a donation to Pasadena Humane and together, we can multiply our impact on the lives of these animals, their families and the tireless veterinary staff working to save the animals.”
Stay tuned for another upcoming report on VMX, including attendees’ takes on “The Decade of Cats”!
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