For dogs that hunt in Texas
Chagas Disease is a Serious Threat to Hunting Dogs
Pan American Vet Lab provides accurate ELISA testing for Chagas disease and is developing experimental immunotherapy focused on the immune response that drives clinical disease.
>95%
ELISA sensitivity & specificity
1,021
dogs tested at PAVL
663
positive results, 2022–2025
The hidden risk
Most infected dogs show no signs—until damage is done.
Chagas disease can silently damage the heart. Dogs may appear healthy during early infection and may only be recognized after performance decline, cardiac symptoms, or sudden illness.
Risk is highest for dogs that hunt, live outdoors, train in rural environments, or spend nights in areas where kissing bugs and wildlife reservoirs are present.
If your dog hunts in Texas, testing matters.
PAVL field data
663 of 1,021 dogs tested positive.
Approximately 65% of dogs tested at Pan American Vet Lab were positive for Chagas exposure.
Data derived from dogs tested at PAVL, 2022–2025.
Total tested: 1,021 dogs
ELISA diagnosis
Accurate testing you can act on.
PAVL’s Chagas ELISA is designed to help owners, trainers, and veterinarians know a dog’s status before clinical signs become obvious.
>95%
Sensitivity
>95%
Specificity
1,000+
Dogs tested
Disease biology
Chagas disease is driven by the immune response.
Chagas disease is well documented to be mediated by the host immune response, not just the parasite itself. Infected dogs can have very different outcomes depending on how their immune system responds.
~75%
Non-allergic immune response
Most infected dogs do not develop clinical disease and remain clinically normal.
~25%
Allergic / dysregulated response
Clinically affected dogs display allergic immunity to the parasite and may develop cardiac disease.
Experimental immunotherapy
A new approach: converting the immune response.
PAVL’s experimental immunotherapy is based on the principle that converting clinically ill dogs from allergic immunity to non-allergic immunity may resolve clinical disease in the same manner seen in the majority of infected dogs that remain clinically normal.
Clinical disease
Allergic immune response
Target state
Non-allergic response
Important: This immunotherapy is experimental and under development. Clinical outcomes are subject to ongoing evaluation.
For veterinarians
Diagnostic support for clinical decision-making.
PAVL supports veterinarians managing dogs with suspected Chagas exposure, especially hunting and working dogs that travel to or hunt in Texas.
Testing: ELISA diagnostic support with >95% sensitivity and specificity.
Disease model: Immune-mediated clinical progression with allergic versus non-allergic response patterns.
Therapy status: Experimental immunotherapy under development.
Don’t wait for symptoms.
Approximately 65% of dogs tested at Pan American Vet Lab were positive for Chagas exposure.
Selected scientific and public-health references