How to diagnose Equine infectious anemia (EIA) - Swamp fever and its treatment

Equine infectious anemia (EIA) also known as Swamp fever or Coggin's disease, is a viral disease that causes anemia, intermittent fever and severe weight loss in horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and zebras. Once animal is infected with Equine infectious anemia, it remains infected for life. How to get rid of fleas, flies, ticks, lice and mites on my dog? Click here

Horse showing symptoms of equine infectious anemia

The virus causing swamp fever is a retro virus and is closely related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in humans. Equine infectious anemia (EIA) was first reported in France in 1843 while the first case of Equine infectious anemia in USA was reported in 1888.

'Swamp fever' is a term used for a number of conditions that are acquired in wet and swampy environments. Equine infectious anemia can be transmitted by blood-feeding flies like horse flies, stable flies, and deer flies. It can also be transmitted through hoof knives, needles, syringes, dirty instruments and blood transfusions.

Symptoms of Equine infectious anemia include anemia, fever, weight loss, edema of ventral abdomen and legs, depression, weakness and jaundice.

Coggins test for Equine infectious anemia

Coggins test is an official test for detection of EIA

Coggins test, also known as agar gel immunodiffusion test AGID is an accurate way to determine whether a horse is infected with EIA virus. Each year, more than a million horses are screened for EIA by this test. In 1970, Dr. Leroy Coggins of Cornell University developed the first accurate laboratory procedure for diagnosing the disease. The Coggins test does not detect the EIA virus itself but detects the presence of antibodies to fight the disease in infected animal. In 1973, Coggins test was declared an official test for determining EIA by the USDA. Do you want to read relevant free pdf books on horse diseases and horse nutrition? Click here

Treatment of Equine infectious anemia  

Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for Equine infectious anemia. There is no vaccine to prevent it either. However using disposable syringes and needles and sterilizing the surgical equipment before using them would be beneficial in preventing the disease in equines.

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