Poison Control Directory: Texas Livestock Emergency Resources

Your Go-To Emergency Contact List

When a poisoning emergency hits, fast access to the right resources can mean the difference between life and death for your livestock. This directory provides contact information for poison control centers, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, extension services, and emergency resources across Texas.

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Emergency Contacts: Call First

Primary Poison Control

#### ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

Information	Details
Phone	(888) 426-4435
Availability	24/7/365
Fee	$95 consultation fee (may apply)
Coverage	All animal species including livestock
Website	aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

Symptoms observed and timeline
Name/description of suspected toxin
Amount consumed (estimate)
Time of exposure
Current treatment given (if any)
Your contact information

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#### Pet Poison Helpline

Information	Details
Phone	(855) 764-7661
Availability	24/7/365
Fee	$85 per incident (includes follow-up calls)
Coverage	Dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals
Website	petpoisonhelpline.com

Direct veterinarian-to-veterinarian consultation
Treatment protocols faxed/emailed to your vet

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Texas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories

#### Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL)

|-------------|---------| | Address | 483 Agronomy Road, College Station, TX 77843 | | Phone | (979) 845-3414 | | Fax | (979) 845-1794 | | Hours | M-F 8am-5pm (submissions); Emergency protocols available | | Website | tvmdl.tamu.edu |

Necropsy services
Plant identification assistance
Mycotoxin analysis
Water quality testing

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|-------------|---------| | Address | 6610 Amarillo Blvd. West, Amarillo, TX 79106 | | Phone | (806) 353-7478 | | Coverage | Panhandle and West Texas |

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|-------------|---------| | Address | 615 E. Loop 304, Crockett, TX 75835 | | Phone | (936) 544-2358 | | Coverage | East Texas |

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|-------------|---------| | Address | 4232 US Highway 183 South, Gonzales, TX 78629 | | Phone | (830) 672-2834 | | Coverage | South-Central Texas |

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Emergency Submission Guidelines

Collect samples properly:
Suspected plant material → Paper bag (not plastic), refrigerate
Stomach contents → Sealed container, refrigerate or freeze
Blood samples → As directed by lab
Tissue samples (necropsy) → Refrigerate, do not freeze unless directed
Complete submission forms - Available online or at lab
Transport properly - Keep samples cool, deliver promptly
Include case history - Symptoms, timeline, suspected toxin

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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

County Extension Offices

Extension agents can assist with:

Plant identification
Toxic plant management advice
Connecting with specialists
Local resource recommendations
State phone: (979) 845-7800

Regional Agriculture Extension Specialists

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Veterinary Emergency Clinics by Region

Panhandle/West Texas

(806) 353-6604
24-hour service available
(806) 745-8484
After-hours emergency
(432) 570-8387

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North Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth Area)

(972) 252-2277
24-hour emergency
(817) 656-7301
(940) 387-3800

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Central Texas

(512) 331-6121
24-hour service
AVES (Austin Veterinary Emergency & Specialty)
(512) 343-2837
(254) 399-3909
(512) 392-5588 (San Marcos)
(830) 629-5900 (New Braunfels)

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South Texas

(210) 822-2873
24-hour service
Emergency Pet Center - San Antonio
(210) 692-1750
(361) 985-1700
(956) 631-8141

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Houston Area

(713) 941-8460
24-hour service
VCA Animal Emergency Hospital Southeast
(281) 481-1234
VERGI 24/7 Animal Emergency & Critical Care Hospital
(281) 528-4701
(281) 491-7800

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East Texas

(903) 526-2422
(903) 757-2424
(409) 892-1212

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Sample Collection Supplies

Essential Emergency Kit Contents

Item	Purpose	Where to Get
Paper bags (various sizes)	Plant samples	Grocery store
Ziploc bags	Backup containers	Grocery store
Permanent markers	Labeling	Office supply
Cooler with ice packs	Transport	Hardware store
Disposable gloves	Safe handling	Farm supply
Collection containers	Stomach contents, water	Lab supply, pharmacy
Camera/phone	Documentation	Personal device
Notepad	Recording observations	Office supply

Sample Collection Quick Guide

Place in paper bag (plastic causes deterioration)
Label with date, location, suspected plant name
Refrigerate (do not freeze)
Transport to lab within 24-48 hours
Seal tightly
Label completely
Refrigerate or freeze
Submit promptly with necropsy request
Minimum 2 pounds composite sample
Place in clean bag/container
Keep cool and dry
Note lot number, source, storage conditions

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Reporting and Documentation

What to Document

Location (GPS if possible)
Number of animals affected
Symptoms observed
Photos/videos
Quantity estimated to be consumed
Location of source
Photos of plant/product
Products/medications used
Dosages
Response observed
Time to recovery
Any lasting effects
Economic losses

Reporting to Texas Animal Health Commission

Suspected disease outbreaks
Regulatory reportable conditions
Website: tahc.texas.gov
24-hour emergency line for animal health emergencies

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Online Resources

Plant Identification

Resource	URL	Notes
USDA PLANTS Database	plants.usda.gov	Official database
Texas A&M Herbarium	herbarium.tamu.edu	Texas-specific
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center	wildflower.org	Native plants
Texas AgriLife Extension	agrilifeextension.tamu.edu	Educational

Toxicology Information

Resource	URL	Notes
ASPCA Toxic Plants	aspca.org/pet-care/toxic-plants	Searchable database
Cornell Poisonous Plants	poisonousplants.ansci.cornell.edu	Research-based
Veterinary Toxicology (Merck)	merckvetmanual.com	Professional reference

Treatment Protocols

Resource	URL	Notes
FARAD (Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank)	farad.org	Drug withdrawal information
VetMed Resource	vetmedresource.org	Veterinary resources

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Regional Quick Reference Cards