| Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is also known by | | | | business elsewhere. And therein lies the problem. |
| the term "swamp fever." The disease is also | | | | The horsefly carries the EIA virus around to the |
| referred to as "equine AIDS" because the virus | | | | other horses in the area. So his chow time may |
| that causes it is closely related to the human HIV | | | | begin on one horse who is already infected. Then |
| virus. That being the case, how can you tell if | | | | he may finish on one who isn't. That's how the |
| your horse has it? And do we humans need to be | | | | horsefly transmits the EIA virus from one horse |
| concerned about coming down with a deadly | | | | to another. |
| disease if one of our horses has swamp fever? | | | | Thankfully, the disease is extremely rare in the |
| The short answer is no. It's true that Equine | | | | United States and in other countries where animal |
| Infectious Anemia is viral disease. And it is | | | | health is taken seriously. However, that doesn't |
| transmitted by the blood of infected horses. | | | | mean EIA is no big deal. It most assuredly is a big |
| However, humans cannot get the disease. But | | | | deal. |
| horses can. And when they do, it's not pretty. | | | | So big, in fact, that most states have laws on |
| EIA...Bad Stuff | | | | their books requiring documented proof that your |
| EIA comes in three different flavors, but the | | | | horse is EIA-free before you can transport him |
| most acute form of the disease will show up in | | | | across state lines. And almost every horse sale |
| the form of high fever, severe anemia, | | | | transaction requires the same proof. |
| weakness, swelling of the lower abdomen and | | | | The Test Your Horse Needs To Fail |
| legs, weak pulse, irregular heartbeat,...you get the | | | | So how can you prove your horse is not infected |
| idea. There are a lot of horse diseases out there, | | | | with EIA? Your vet will need to perform |
| but this one is bad stuff. | | | | something called a Coggins Test. |
| As a matter of fact, one of my veterinary | | | | The Coggins Test was developed in the early |
| manuals says "The mortality rate is high. Sudden | | | | 1960's by a veterinarian named Leroy Coggins |
| death may be the first indication." Oh, and once a | | | | (image that!). The test basically detects the |
| horse becomes infected, he's infected | | | | presence of certain antibodies in your horse's |
| permanently. He either has to be put down or | | | | bloodstream. If they're within an acceptable level, |
| quarantined 200 yards from any other horse for | | | | your horse is fine. Otherwise, he is said to be |
| life. | | | | "EIA-positive." Again, thankfully, very few |
| How Horses Get EIA | | | | American horses are. |
| The blame for this awful disease can be laid | | | | A Coggins Test is quick, and relatively cheap. Any |
| directly at bloodsucking insects like the common | | | | equine vet can do it. It's just a matter of drawing |
| horsefly. | | | | a blood sample and running a few chemical tests |
| Horseflies are big. Really big. And they bite really | | | | on it. Very simple. |
| hard as they try to make a meal out of your | | | | Don't feel bad if you've never heard of a Coggins |
| horse's blood. Most horses won't stand for this | | | | Test. Most horse owners haven't. But it is very |
| painful bite. They'll shake their heads, flick their | | | | important that you get your horse tested (and |
| tales, and do pretty much whatever it force the | | | | hope it comes back negative). And it's absolutely |
| horsefly to shove off. | | | | crucial to check for it if you're buying a horse. |
| So the unwilling horsefly reluctantly removes his | | | | I know I'd pay a little extra for the peace of mind |
| proboscis out of your horse and takes his | | | | knowing my next horse is EIA-free. |