Gulf Coast Large Animal Clinic

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine's Day from GCLAC and our mascot, Quiznos!

01/27/2025

Good morning and happy Monday!

We have recently gotten questions from clients concerning official ID on health certificates for livestock.

Per Texas Animal Health Commission, we are now required to use an official USDA tag, such as an 840 RFID button tag, for identification on health certificates. Although some major livestock shows may accept brands or registration tattoos as an ID, we are not able to utilize those types of identifications alone on health certificates. If you come into the clinic for a health certificate on your livestock animal (cattle, pigs, goats, and lambs), your animal will need the previously mentioned tag. If they don't have one, we can issue them one. For any further questions or concerns, please call the clinic at 281-331-2830.

Thank you!

01/20/2025

Good morning everyone,

Due to the expected weather conditions, we will be closed on Tuesday, Jan 21st and Wednesday, Jan 22nd, with the exception of daytime emergencies. Normal business hours will resume on Thursday, Jan 23rd.

Please make sure your animals have adequate shelter during this time as well as access to hay and water.

Everyone stay safe and warm!

12/31/2024

GCLAC will be closing today at noon, and we will be closed tomorrow January 1st in observance of the holiday. Normal business hours will remain on Thursday January 2nd.

Happy New Year!!

11/28/2024

GCLAC will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28th for Thanksgiving Day. Normal business hours will resume on Friday, Nov. 29th. Happy Thanksgiving to all of our amazing clients and their families!

11/26/2024

Please read this shared post from Texas Animal Health Commission if you are a livestock owner!

On November 22, 2024, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Mexico notified the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of a positive detection of New World screwworm (NWS in Mexico. On November 24, 2024, USDA APHIS notified stakeholders and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) of the detection and immediate placement of restrictions on the importation of animal commodities originating from or transiting through Mexico.

The NWS was found in a cow at an inspection checkpoint in the southern Mexico state of Chiapas, close to the border with Guatemala. APHIS is restricting importations pending further information from Mexican veterinary authorities on the size and scope of the infestation. The TAHC is working closely with USDA to implement existing response plans to enforce pest monitoring at Texas’ southern border and into the state.

Read the full animal health alert here: https://bit.ly/3Zp0bcY

11/15/2024

Please join us next Wednesday, Nov. 20th to celebrate Gary's 40 years of service with GCLAC! Hope to see you there!

11/11/2024

We wanted to give a big shout out and a special Thank You to one of our long-time clients, Mrs. Stanley, for the thoughtful gift she brought to us last week. Rest In Peace to our old friend, Romeo. He will be missed!

10/21/2024

Congratulations to our very own veterinarian for winning PRCA Veterinarian of the Year!

Dr. Gregg Knape has been named the recipient of the 2024 PRCA Veterinarian of the Year Award.

Read More Here >>> https://bit.ly/4dVdaYb

10/04/2024

October upcoming events and reminders:

- Friday October 11th begins Brazoria County Fair. All commercial heifers 12 months of age and older require a palpation certificate at check-in.

- We are in the middle of State Fair until October 20th. If you're going in the next few weeks to show, please be sure to double-check the show's rules regarding the need for a health certificate for your animal.

- Saturday October 26th holds Breeding Beef and Commercial Heifer tag-ins for Galveston County Fair. All commercial heifers are required to have a Brucellosis vaccination before tag-in.

If you are in need of any of these services, call us to make an appointment! Don't wait until the last minute!

09/07/2024

It's TWINS!

When a client brings in a first-time heifer to be artificially inseminated, and she not only gets pregnant with twins, but is able to birth and nurse them both with ease! These boys turned one week old today and are happy and healthy!

08/26/2024

ATTENTION EQUINE OWNERS: We just received an email from Texas Animal Health Commission regarding two confirmed cases of Eastern Encephalitis in Houston County (north of Harris County). Please read the following information from the email.

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) received confirmation of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in two Houston County horses. These are the first reported cases of the mosquito-borne illness in Texas.

As a protective measure, veterinarians and equine owners are encouraged to consider vaccinating their horses against mosquito-borne illnesses such as EEE, western equine encephalitis (WEE), Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE), and West Nile Virus (WNV).

EEE, WEE, and VEE are reportable diseases to the TAHC. While WNV is not a reportable disease to the TAHC, it is recommended that horse owners consult with their veterinarian about protecting their horses against this illness. General disease information and how to protect horses from these mosquito-borne diseases of equine species can be found on the TAHC website and below.

WHAT IS EEE, WEE and VEE?
EEE, WEE and VEE are caused by alphaviruses and can cause severe brain inflammation in equine. The viruses are prevalent in birds and rodents, and unvaccinated horses are particularly susceptible. EEE is commonly found in the eastern United States and Canada, while WEE has not been detected in the United States since the late 1990s. VEE is found in Central and South America and occasionally in Mexico.


CLINICAL SIGNS
Infection causes non-specific clinical signs and often affects the central nervous system. Clinical signs may include:
- Moderate to high fever 102.5-104.5oF
- Severe depression, known as “sleeping sickness”
- Behavior changes
- Impaired vision
- Circling or head pressing
- Muscle twitches
- Inability to swallow
- Paralysis
- Convulsions
- Death

TRANSMISSION
EEE, WEE and VEE are most often transmitted by mosquitos after the insects have acquired the virus from birds and rodents. Humans are also susceptible when bitten by an infected mosquito, but direct horse-to-horse or horse-to-human transmission is very rare.

TREATMENT
Affected equine should be given supportive care based on the severity of their symptoms.

PREVENTION
The EEE, WEE and VEE vaccination, repeated at least annually, is very effective at preventing clinical disease. Private veterinarians should be consulted if equine are located or traveling to higher-risk areas, including near the border of Mexico. Higher-risk areas have year-round mosquito populations or have previously reported cases.

Owners and producers should reduce mosquito attractants, such as standing water, place fans inside where horses rest, limit equine’s outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, and use equine approved mosquito repellent.

If your horse needs their encephalitis vaccination, please call the clinic to set up an appointment. (281) 331-2830.

08/21/2024

We are a little late to posting, but last week we hosted a 3-day veterinary camp for members of the Brazoria County 4-H who are working towards their Veterinary Assistant Certificate. They were a great group of kiddos and we enjoyed teaching them their CVA skill requirements in large animal medicine!

07/25/2024

This week, we had the pleasure of hosting students from the Sea Camp at Texas A&M Galveston. It was a busy morning and the students got hands-on experience in veterinary care for horses, cattle, and goats! Thank you Sea Aggies for your visit!

07/02/2024

Spots are limited and will fill up fast! Payment MUST be brought to the 4-H Office to secure spot, there will be no online registration/payment method. Registration opens July 15th!

***4-H membership is REQUIRED***

07/02/2024

We will be closed this Thursday, July 4th in observation of Independence Day. Normal clinic hours will remain on Friday, July 5th.

We wish you a Happy Independence Day!

06/26/2024

Did you know? Horses that have light-pigmented skin need protection against the sun during the summer! Their skin can become sunburned just like humans. Specific areas of concern are parts of their face or body with little to no hair, such as their nose. You can use sunscreen specifically made for horses or you can use human sunscreen made for sensitive skin.

06/07/2024

Happy Friday!

June is Equine Colic Awareness Month! The term "colic" is defined as a horse having pain in the abdomen, and there are several causes to this condition.

Attached below is an amazing article by Dr. Cohen at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences regarding the term "colic", the signs of colic, prevention and helpful tips to keep your horse as comfortable as possible if they are colicking until you are able to be seen by a veterinarian (which should be ASAP).

Although horses have historically been known as working livestock, today they are often referred to as companion animals. More and more people are seeking