Since certificates of veterinary inspection and a negative Coggins test are required for participation in many horse events as well as interstate transport of horses, two of the common tasks of a horse doctor are to inspect horses for signs of communicable diseases and to draw blood for a Coggins test.

Several days ago I was drawing blood for a Coggins test when a horse owner asked, “What’s the big deal, is it really that important?”

Absolutely!

Experienced horse owners cringe when they hear the terms “swamp fever” or “equine infectious anemia,” an incurable disease that has no available vaccination.

Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is a viral disease that threatens the horse, mule and donkey populations of the world.

A horse that is infected with the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) may experience a variety of potentially life-threatening conditions, including compromised immune system and damage to vital organs such as the liver, heart, bone marrow and kidneys.

Secondary viral and bacterial infections may occur due to immunosupression, and a horse may succumb to the direct effects of EIAV, compromised internal organs or secondary infections.

The Coggins test, developed by Dr. Leroy Coggins, a prominent veterinary pathologist, detects antibodies to the EIAV, which causes infection in horses.

Because EIA is a communicable disease – it is transmitted most commonly by biting insects – with no cure and no vaccine, it is particularly difficult to control or eradicate. The only way to protect the horse, pony, mule and donkey population of the United States is to separate positive animals from animals that are not infected with the EIAV.

The horse that is positive faces a grim future mandated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Positive horses are placed in quarantine, they are permanently identified as positive, are removed from the herd to decrease risk to herd mates and are eventually euthanized, sent to slaughter or maintained in an official quarantine facility.

Needless to say, the implications of the Coggins test are huge for horse and owner alike.

However, thanks to the courage of countless horsemen and women since the early 1970s, when the Coggins test first came into use, the incidence of infected horses has significantly decreased.

Because EIA represents such a risk for the equine population, it is valuable to know your horse is negative.

Even if your horse doesn’t travel between states, attend horse shows, rodeos or other events, a negative Coggins test sets your mind at ease. You know that your horse is neither infected nor endangering the health of other horses.

It is recommended that a Coggins test be performed yearly as part of your horses’ annual wellness examination.

Dr. Jereld Rice is a verteranarian and is a regular contributer to the Willowa County Cheiftan