Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to impact animal health across the U.S.—and Illinois veterinarians play a critical role in early detection, prevention, and education.

In this episode of Veterinary Today, we’re joined by Dr. Staci Slager, DVM, Assistant State Veterinarian and Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare at the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Dr. Slager provides a clear, timely update on the current HPAI landscape in Illinois, including recent backyard flock detections, seasonal migration risks, and what veterinarians should be watching for in both poultry and companion animals.

We also explore emerging concerns beyond birds, including HPAI detections in dairy cattle and serious neurologic disease in cats—highlighting why small animal and mixed-animal veterinarians should keep HPAI on their differential list.

Whether you work with poultry, livestock, pets, or backyard flocks, this episode offers practical insights, surveillance updates, and actionable guidance to help protect animal health statewide.

One Health is a global, collaborative goal that seeks to understand how everything in our world is connected to each other.

One Health as a multi-sectoral and trans-disciplinary approach of achieving optimal health amongst all living things on earth – that the health of people is closely related to the health of animals and plants, and how we share our environment and ecosystems. It’s about co-dependency and a study of how all of these systems are all dependent upon each other and how one affects another.

Will Sander, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, Assistant Professor for Preventative Medicine and Public Health, and Director of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health Joint Degree program at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine - Urbana, is interviewed by Debbie Lakamp, CAE, ISVMA’s Executive Director.

Dr. Sander has been involved with the One Health initiative for years and is working on Illinois state-wide and federal levels in promoting dialogue and study about this movement. He works closely with other veterinary and human public health colleagues to increase the core principles of One Health, along with the challenges and future perspectives in which it faces.

Dr. Sander serves on the ISVMA Board of Directors as the Alternate American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Delegate.

Tune in and learn about key issues that affect the veterinary profession in Illinois and, in turn, you and your practice!

Dr. Sandra Faeh, President, AVMA, discusses how a bill passed in Colorado in November 2024 now allows the existence of a mid-level veterinary practitioner in clinics and hospitals in that state. It is a position that the AVMA, ISVMA and other veterinary-related organizations had opposed prior to a vote in Colorado. At this time, the creation of such a position is not being pursued in Illinois.

This episode also reviews member approval of two new ISVMA membership categories, one of which allowing veterinary practice managers to now join the association. The second membership category, practice membership, goes live mid-2025.

Hear how the ISVMA is on sound financial footing, a review of key legislation the profession in Illinois faced in 2024, as well as proposals that are continuing into 2025. A review of educational opportunities and member benefits rounds out this episode.

Audio in this episode was recorded live at the ISVMA's 142nd Annual Convention's membership meeting presentation, held in November 2024.