What we’ve long suspected is now official: the FDA just approved a weight-loss drug to treat liver disease.

On August 15, 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for semaglutide (Wegovy) to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with moderate to advanced fibrosis in adults (FDA, 2025). That decision does more than add another indication for a familiar drug. It reframes obesity therapy as liver therapy, raising a practical question for veterinary teams and the industry: if treating obesity improves liver outcomes in humans, how should we monitor and communicate liver outcomes in dogs and cats?

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) proudly congratulates Executive Board member Julie A. Churchill, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition), on being named the 2025 dvm360® Veterinary Heroes honoree in the Nutrition category.

The Veterinary Heroes Awards recognize peer‑nominated professionals for leadership, compassion, and lasting impact on animal health. Winners were celebrated during a luncheon at the Fetch dvm360 Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.

An “obesity first” strategy should be implemented for animals suffering from chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, insulin resistance, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, hypertension, and more. In simplest terms, “obesity first” means we treat obesity as a priority when confronting these obesity-associated disorders. By losing excess body fat and increasing lean muscle mass, nearly all of these chronic diseases can improve, and some may even experience remission.

“The Year of Ozempic” proclaimed the December 2023 edition of The New Yorker.

That same month, the journal Science declared glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) weight loss drugs its “Breakthrough of the Year,” beating out commendable contenders such as new malaria and Alzheimer’s treatments, innovative climate change research on natural carbon pumps and artificial intelligence (AI) in improving weather forecasting. Apparently, Science viewed treating obesity as a bigger story than dementia and global warming.

With all the success of human obesity medications, could pet weight loss drugs be far behind?

Veterinary and human healthcare professionals often use the term “obese” to describe a patient with excess body fat. Calling a patient “obese” has significant negative connotations and can be stigmatizing and emotionally triggering.

In veterinary medicine, labeling a pet as “obese” can imply that the owner has failed to provide proper care and nutrition, potentially causing feelings of unease and criticism. It shifts the focus from underlying physiological causes such as genetics, microbiome, hormonal imbalances, and other biological factors to lifestyle choices like exercise and diet.

On the other hand, the proposed terminology, such as “the dog has obesity, ” “a cat having obesity,” or “a pet with obesity,” focuses on the disease state rather than the physical appearance, thereby avoiding blame on the pet owner's actions or an animal’s behavior or inherent characteristic.