Landline – August 2019 – STPRA
Landline – July 2019
July 12, 2019
Landline – September 2019
September 5, 2019

Landline – August 2019

A Message from Executive Director, Susan J. Kibbe

Good morning members!

I’m wishing all of you a happy August, and hope that you are surviving this heat as we’re in the throes of “Dog Days”.

Even after astrology and its influence on health and agriculture waned in importance, the “dog days” continues to be vaguely applied to the hottest days of the summer, with its attendant effects on nature and society. In North America, it became proverbial among farmers that a dry growing season through the dog days was preferable to the trouble of a wet one:

“Dog days bright and clear
Indicate a good year;
But when accompanied by rain,
We hope for better times in vain.”

So hopefully all of our farmer members appreciate this hot dry time of year!

As you know, Chagas disease has been a STPRA issue for a number of years now. We have and will continue to inform and educate our members and the general public on the latest information on new outcomes. That’s why I’m very pleased to share news about Dr. Roy Madigan’s test trials on a number of South/Central Texas dogs, ranging from military dogs, to dogs in dog pounds and hunting dogs.

“We’re incredibly encouraged by the study results,” said Roy Madigan D.V.M., Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Vida Pharmacal. “Survivability of treated canine patients increased to 95.3%, compared to 53% of control patients. Treated dogs also experienced 98.2% clinical improvement, compared to 27% of control patients. The protocol offers hope to millions of dogs and potentially, people.”

Click here to read the recent article in its entirety.

The hunting dogs owned by STPRA members, Deryl and Jill McKinnerney, of the 4R Ranch from Hondo, were an important part of Dr. Madigan’s drug trial. The McKinnerney’s have implemented a strict protocol in defending against the Kissing Bug that causes Chagas disease in dogs and humans. Here’s is a brief excerpt from Deryl’s most recent newsletter:

“The news from the kennels is all good news. We have had continued success in our battle against Chagas Bugs. To date we have found less than a dozen beetles in our barn, all dead. We tested several young dogs recently and all were negative. This did not come about by accident. The fight against Chagas Bugs is an everyday battle. Every barrel in every kennel is sprayed with Deet twice daily. Every dog is wiped down with Picardin repellent twice daily. We spray a pesticide band around the kennels each day. And weekly we spray the entire barn down with a strong pesticide. All in all it takes 20-30 minutes a day for preventative measures.”

Deryl will be sending me a more detailed explanation of his protocols and test results of his kennel to share with you in the near future. If you have a moment, visit his website to learn about their very impressive kennel. https://www.4rranch.net/

Our Annual Meeting and Fundraiser is fast approaching on October 3rd. It is our one major fundraiser of the year. Your contributions toward its success are very important! Please be generous by donating an auction item, sponsoring, giving a cash donation; and of course attending our 14th annual event!

We hope that we are providing you with useful information in our daily news updates. Please let us know if there is too much or not enough news on any of our issues. Your input is important to us!

Thank you for your continued support!

Until next month,



Susan J. Kibbe
Office (361) 348-3020
Susan@STPRA.org