| (a) Official Equine Piroplamosis Test: A test for Equine Piroplasmosis applied and reported by a laboratory approved by the Commission. The sample must be collected by or under the direct supervision of an accredited veterinarian. A completed Equine Piroplasmosis Laboratory Test chart (Form 10-07) must be submitted with the sample, listing the description of the equine to include the following: age, breed, color, sex, animal's name, and all distinctive markings (i.e., color patterns, brands, tattoos, scars, or blemishes), and any RFID numbers applied to the animal. In the absence of any distinctive color markings or any form of visible permanent identification (brands, tattoos or scars), the animal must be identified by indicating the location of all hair whorls, vortices or cowlicks with an "X" on the illustration provided on the chart. It lieu of the manual illustration, digital photographs clearly showing the horse from the left side, right side, and full face may be incorporated in the chart. All charts must list owner's name, address, the animal's home premise and county, the name and address of the authorized individual collecting the test sample, and laboratory and individual conducting the test. The Piroplasmosis test document shall list one horse only. (b) Reactor. A reactor is any equine which discloses a positive reaction for Piroplasmosis on a Compliment Fixation (CF) or competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (cELISA) applied at a laboratory approved by the Commission. The individual collecting the test sample must notify the animal's owner of the quarantine within 48 hours after receiving the results. All Piroplasmosis positive animals will be restricted. Retests of a reactor may only be performed by a representative of the Commission. (c) Official Identification of Equine Positive for Piroplasmosis. A reactor must be identified with one or both of the following methods as determined by the Commission: (1) The reactor equine may be identified with a permanent mark as described herein or as approved by the Commission. If branded the letter "P" will be applied by a representative of the Texas Animal Health Commission as a hot-iron brand or freeze-marking brand or a hoof brand. For a Freeze or Hot-Iron brand the "P" brand must be not less than two inches high and shall be applied to the left shoulder or left or right side of the neck of the reactor. For a hoof brand the "P" brand must be applied to the front right hoof and reapplied by a Commission representative as necessary to maintain visibility. Reactors must be identified within ten (10) days of the date the laboratory completes the test unless the equine is destroyed. Any equine destroyed prior to identification must be described in a written statement by the accredited veterinarian or other authorized personnel certifying to the destruction. This certification must be submitted to the Texas Animal Health Commission promptly; or (2) Using official identification or identification device or a unique tattoo approved by the Commission that provides unique identification for each individual animal. (d) Equine entering a racetrack facility must have a negative Piroplasmosis test (Theileria equi) within the past 12 months. A racetrack facility is grounds used to conduct organized horse racing. |
