Question: Doc, why do I have to blood test my horse for that coggins?

Answer:

The coggins test is for a disease called "SWAMP FEVER" or Equine infectious anemia (E.I.A.). E.I.A. is a viral disease that destroys a horses red blood cells, causing anemia. Once infected, horses remain infected for life, often without showing any signs of the disease.

Horses with acute E.I.A. have a high fever and a low number of blood platelets and/or red blood cells (anemia). In the more chronic form therein be intermediate fever, weight loss, swelling of the under belly, and anemia. Equine infectious anemia is diagnosed by a blood test called the coggins test, so named for by it's developer, Dr. Leroy Coggins, the veterinarian who developed the test.

Important points to remember about the E.I.A.:

There is no effective treatment or vaccine for E.I.A.
It is a law in Wisconsin that all horses that are co-mingled with non-related horses must be tested once each calendar year.
Be sure the seller provides documentation of the negative coggins test before you purchase a new horse, donkey, or mule.
Any needle or instrument exposed to equine blood should be disinfected between use.
Horses should be protected from biting insects and populations of insects should be controlled in the horses environment.
Remember, if your horse is tested and found negative and he is only exposed to other horses that are tested negative, this disease will be controlled.