Animal Medical Clinic

Information may not be reliable

Our team at Animal Medical Clinic is committed to bringing you and your pets better health by practicing the science of Veterinary Medicine. Our Kingsville based Animal Medical Clinic was founded by Dr. Underbrink in 1977. Since then our staff has been performing veterinarian medicine and compassionate animal care in the Kingsville area. We are a full-service Animal Hospital whose mission is to provide the highest standard of quality and compassion in veterinary care for our patients. The superior working environment for our staff allows us to offer a welcoming, informative, and supportive service to our clients. We offer the Kingsville animal community emergency veterinary services in addition to standard medical, surgical, and dental veterinary care. We service both small and large animals. Our in-house lab, pharmacy, x-ray equipment, and oxygen care unit allows us to deliver immediate emergency care to our patients. Our facility also offers boarding and grooming services. We are open for appointments during normal business hours on Monday thru Saturday, and we see emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

EQUINE PIROPLASMOSIS as of 11/17/09:
Piroplasmosis, also known as piro, babesiosis, tick fever, or therlia equi, was recently diagnosed here in Kleberg County. Piro is a foreign animal disease in horses and was not considered to be endemic in the U.S. This disease is similar to equine infectious anemia (EIA-Coggins Test). Common symptoms of this disease are fever, lethargy, anemia, weakness, depressed appetite, colic, and weight loss. Many horses can become infected with this disease and show little or no symptoms. This is a common disease in many countries. Ninety percent of all horses in the world live in endemic areas of piro, and ten percent (which had included Canada & U.S.) lived in non endemic areas. It is likely the U.S. will develop an eradication program to eliminate this disease just as they have done with EIA. At the present time all horses tested positive for piro will be quarantined and not allow to move off their property. There is no treatment available to completely cure this disease. Once a horse contracts this disease they will always be a carrier. A blood test is used to determine if a horse is positive for piroplasmosis.

In other countries, ticks are the primary means of transmission. The USDA and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) are both in the process of determining what vectors in the U.S. are transmitting piro in horses. They are assuming ticks will be the primary vectors but are also concerned that the common horse fly and infected needles may also transmit piro. On going research will eventually identify what species of ticks or other blood sucking insects are capable of transmitting piro. As this information is obtained, new state and federal guidelines will be initiated to help control and or eradicate this disease. There are presently no restrictions for movement of horses with in the state of Texas. There are many other states that are requiring a test for piro prior to entering their state, if horses have originated from Kleberg and surrounding counties. Interstate movement requirements are changing almost on a daily basis. Therefore it is important to check with the state of destination to determine what specific requirements are needed to enter each state.

It does not appear at this time that Kleberg County or the surrounding counties will be quarantined due to piro. As stated above, some states are requiring a negative test within 14 days from entering their state if horses are originating from Kleberg and surrounding counties. It is important to review each state requirements when planning for interstate movement. In some instances, for those that have horses in these counties, it may be best to have your horse checked negative for piro and then move your horse out of these counties to make it easier to enter other states. This is a decision each horse owner will need to make.

The best prevention, until research is completed, is to maintain control of ticks and never cross contaminate horses using the same needle. If you plan to take your horse to an equine event, then be sure to spray your horse thoroughly with a product labeled for tick control the day before the event you plan to attend. Until the USDA has established the extent this disease exist in the U.S., and until they have established if the vectors that are capable of transmitting this disease are localized or regionalized, they will not be able to form a valid eradication program. Therefore, only time will tell what type of regulations will be initiated in the future months or years. See the TAHC website at www.tahc.state.tx.us.com for additional information or contact the AMC office for information on appointments and costs of testing.

The holidays are a time for celebration, spending time with family, and reflecting on the good things that occurred during the year. The holidays can be hazardous for your pet though.
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