Mobile Veterinary Emergency Team Ready in Texas

Inspired by images from Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, and Rita, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, in cooperation with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), has created a mobile Veterinary Emergency Team (VET). Dr. Wesley Bissett, DVM, PhD, serves as lead faculty member on the project. “The unit has to be prepared to treat a wid
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Inspired by images from Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, and Rita, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, in cooperation with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), has created a mobile Veterinary Emergency Team (VET).

Wesley Bissett, DVM, PhD, serves as lead faculty member on the project. "The unit has to be prepared to treat a wide variety of issues: hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires," he explained. Team members are divided into strike teams to target either large or small animals.

Drawing on lessons learned from other natural disasters, planners studied manuals from Louisiana State University and other sources. The VET team responders travel with two climate-controlled tents, a clinic trailer with limited surgical capability, lodging supplies, food, and generators. Thirteen team members are selected from A&M faculty, resident veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary students who have completed a disaster medicine elective course.

"If you look back, historically, at the college, we have been defined by service, certainly for the horse, and this project continues the legacy," Bissett said. Recalling 200 large animals transported to College Station during Hurricane Ike, Bissett outlined his three major charges for the operation. "First, we must keep the university hospital open to provide quality secondary care. Second, we must coordinate evacuation to the center. The VET unit meets our third objective: Go on-site for triage and emergency care

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Marsha Hayes has been covering endurance, trail, and other equine topics since 2005. She believes every horse has a story.

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