About EIA
Equine infectious anemia is a viral illness that assaults horses’ immune programs. The virus is transmitted via the alternate of physique fluids from an contaminated to an uninfected animal, typically by blood-feeding bugs equivalent to horseflies. It may also be transmitted via the usage of blood-contaminated devices or needles.
A Coggins check screens horses’ blood for antibodies which can be indicative of the presence of the EIA virus. Most U.S. states require horses to have proof of a unfavourable Coggins check to journey throughout state traces.
Once an animal is contaminated with EIA, it’s contaminated for all times and is usually a reservoir for the unfold of illness. Not all horses present indicators of illness, however people who do can exhibit:
- Progressive physique situation loss;
- Muscle weak spot;
- Poor stamina;
- Fever;
- Depression; and
- Anemia.
EIA has no vaccine and no treatment. A horse identified with the illness dies, is euthanized, or should be positioned beneath extraordinarily strict quarantine circumstances (at the very least 200 yards away from unaffected equids) for the remainder of his life.
