Coggins Testing Many horse owners know about Coggins testing, but how many of us really understand the disease itself?  I poised this question to a veterinarian, “Doc, what exactly is Coggins and how necessary is the test?” Here is a summary of the answer. Equine infectious anemia (EIA), known as “Coggins”, is a viral disease that affects the horse's immune system and other organ systems. It is a blood borne disease and is usually transmitted from horse to horse via biting insects like horse and deer flies and mosquitoes. It can also be spread by humans by using a single infected needle on multiple horses. Sometimes called Swamp Fever, EIA has a higher incidence in states that have warm, wet regions. Generally, EIA can occur wherever there is a method to transmit it. The list of signs and symptoms is extensive and can include any of the following: fever, depression, decreased appetite, fatigue or reduced stamina, rapid breathing, sweating, rapid weight loss, bloodshot eyes with watery discharge, swelling of the legs, lower chest, and abdomen, weakness characterized by wobbly or rolling gait, pale or yellowish mucous membranes, irregular heartbeat and/or weak pulse, colic, and abortion in mares. On occasion, however, horses infected with EIA may not show any of them. Because the range of signs and symptoms vary so much from horse to horse, EIA is often difficult to diagnose, thus it is critical to have your horse tested for the disease at least once a year. Your horse should be tested more often if the horse travels frequently or if it is exposed to new horses in a public setting. Horses infected with EIA can be in any of three stages: active, chronic, or carrier-only. The active state is characterized by active virus replication which causes damage to immune and other organ systems. In the carrier-only state, the horse has an absence of clinical signs, but can still infect other horses. Once infected, a horse becomes a life long carrier of the disease. Because EIA has no effective treatment, or cure and there is no vaccine to prevent it, only 2 options exist for horses who test positive for the disease: lifelong quarantine in a screened stall or euthanasia. Most agencies and equine practitioners, support euthanasia as the most prudent option. Diagnosis of EIA is a serious problem for both the horse and horse owner. Coggins testing ensures that any carriers of the virus are removed from the general horse population, thus lowering the incidence of the disease. With warmer weather and show season upon us, a negative Coggins Test, becomes very important. Strict Coggins requirements were put in place to protect your horse and allow you peace of mind. Not only do you know your horse tests negative for the disease, but you also know that other horses your horse may come into contact with have also tested negative.