[Featured Breed]  
[Falabellas] 

[Featured Rider]  
[Anne Kursinski] 

[Featured Equine] 
[Khemosabi: An Arabian Legend] 

[Featured Equine Hazard] 
[Equine Infectious Anemia] 

[Book Review] 
[The Affordable Horse] 

[Winter Riding] 
["Keeping Warm When Riding 
 in Winter"] 

[Summer Camp Preparations] 
["Choosing a Summer Riding  
 Camp"] 

[Glossary] 
[Common Equine Terms] 

["Ask The Trainer"] 
[Training Qs & As] 

["The Help Desk"] 
[Readers Speak Out] 

  
[Fiction] 
[Windy's Contemplation] 

[Melanie's Horse] 

[Shotgun Andy] 
 

[Poetry] 
[Horse's Lament] 

[My Master]  
 

[Contests] 
[Horse Trivia] 

[Caption Contest] 
 

[Writing for the E-Zine]  
[Staff Positions Available] 

[Staff Application] 

[Submission Tips & Guidelines] 

[Submission Form] 
 
 
 

© Veterinary Logo     
  by Kulacrosse Clip Art Stable 
 
 

Featured Equine Hazard:    Equine Infectious Anemia    By: Shauna Alexander

Detection  

To ensure that an equine is not harboring the virus, a simple test is performed - the AGID or Coggins test, which checks for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) antibodies in the horse's blood. Blood samples taken for the test must be sent to a state-approved laboratory.  This test is often needed when taking your horse to a show, and when it is transported across state lines. Some countries now require a negative Coggins test on a horse before he can be sold.  
  

Prevention 

Although there is no vaccine that will prevent infection from the EIA virus, owners can reduce the danger to their horses by utilizing the following guidelines: 

1. Avoid exposing your horse to sick animals.  
2. Board your horse at a barn where a negative Coggins test is required of all horses before they are allowed on the premises. 
3. Clean and sterilize all instruments thoroughly after use. This will prevent the virus from being transmitted by knives, needles, and dental and surgical equipment.  
4. Do not breed mares or stallions that you suspect or know of harboring the virus. 
5. Establish a regular EIA testing schedule for your equine with your veterinarian.  
6. Isolate visiting mares and new horses until they test negative on a Coggins test. 
7. Never share tack or any other equipment between animals with open wounds. 
8. Observe your horses carefully. At the first signs of the virus (e.g. fever, depression, weight loss), isolate the sick animal and call your veterinarian.  
9. Participate only in events (e.g. shows, races) that require prior testing of all horses. 
10. Purchase horses only after they are shown to have tested negative on a recent Coggins test. Insist on being given a copy of the test report.  
11. Reduce the number of insects and flies in barns and pastures. 
12. Request that all event managers require proof of negative EIA status before allowing any horse to enter the premises.  
13. Use a new, sterile instrument (e.g. needles, syringes) on each equine. 
  

Treatment 

There is no drug currently available to treat it. The only thing veterinarians can do is give therapy to bring down the fever and keep the horse comfortable. Most infected horses are put down because they may spread the virus to the other horses. If an owner does choose to keep an infected horse, the animal must be branded and quarantined for life at an isolated spot with insect-proof screening at least 200 yards from the barn, or to send the horse to a recognized research facility. 
  

Online Resources 

- Equine Infectious Anemia 
- Equine Infectious Anemia 
- Equine Infectious Anemia and the Coggins Test 
- Equine Infectious Anemia Attacks Horse's Immuney System  
  

Reference 

- Equine Infectious Anemia 
- Equine Infectious Anemia and the Coggins Test 
- Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook