What is a Coggins? A Coggins test is performed by a veterinarian where he will draw blood from the horse to test to see if it has Equine Infectious Anemia. After the blood has been analyzed at a lab, the owner will receive notification if the test is positive or negative. This report is good for one year from the date the horse was tested.
What is Equine Infectious Anemia? Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a bloodborne viral disease with varying symptoms and prognosis. The symptoms range from fever, confusion, and possibly death. Some horses may not show any kind of symptoms but still be a carrier of EIA. If a horse tests positive for EIA, then it either needs to be kept at least 200 yards from the other horses or be euthanized.
EIA is spread through biting flies. The flies will bite an infected horse with EIA and then bite another horse. Other ways a horse can be infected is through the use of used needles and syringes, mare to foal transmission in-utero, or through natural breeding of mares and stallions.
Horse Shows require proof of a negative Coggins test.
