A Coggin’s test screens for the presence of the viral disease, Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA).

EIA is mainly transmitted by biting insects (flies, mosquitoes, etc.), as well as by contaminated needles and surgical instruments. There is no cure for EIA and once exposed, horses will be carriers for life. EIA can also be spread in-utero to a developing foal, and thru milk and during breeding through semen.

The disease has three major forms: acute, sub-acute/chronic, and chronic inapparent.

Acute: (occurs 7-30 days post-exposure) fever, depression, bleeding from the gums. Anemia is not seen during this phase. Death can occasionally occur

Sub-acute/Chronic (greater than 30 days post-exposure) all of the above signs, but also, anemia, jaundice, enlarged lymph nodes, edema, chronic weight loss, and occasionally neurologic signs and death.The affected horse will have recurrent signs that will be accompanied by a fever (especially during the first year of infection). Periods of stress or systemic steroids will exacerbate signs.

Chronic inapparent: little to know clinical signs seen. Persistent carrier state.

There is no treatment or cure for EIA and most horses will be poor-doers and incapable of work, as well as be a serious health-risk to other horses. It is a reportable disease and some states require euthanasia of sero-positive horses. In select situations, strict isolation of an affected horse is allowed.

The Coggin’s test looks for antibodies to EIA. False-negatives may occur during the first 10-14 days of infection. False-positives may occur if a foal is born to a positive mare. In this situation the foal should be re-tested at 4-6 months of age, once it is thoroughly weaned.   

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