Equine Infectious Anemia Flashcards
What are two other names for this disease?
Coggins disease and swamp fever
What type of virus is EIA?
A retrovirus
T or F: An infected horse will eventually eliminate the disease.
False; an infected horse will remain infected for life
Where in a horses body is the virus present?
In white blood cells, mainly monocytes (is also carried in macrophages)
What is the reservoir host for this disease?
Asymptomatic chronic carrier horses
T or F: EIA has very low morbidity and mortality rates.
False. EIA can be a cause of significant morbidity and mortality.
When a horse is clinically ill the virus is found where?
In all body tissues.
EIA is regulated by _______…
The states veterinary regulatory agency and the state legislature
Incubation period is ___ to ___ days or _____
15 to 45 days or longer
What are the phases of this disease?
Phase 1 - acute phase
Phase 2 - subacute phase (recurring episodes)
Phase 3 - subclinical asymptomatic phase
What are the clinical signs of phase 1?
Fever, depression, thrombocytopenia
What are the clinical signs of phase 2?
Fever, thrombocytopenia, muscle weakness, dependent edema, anemia, petechiation, and emaciation
What happens in Phase 3?
Horses become subclinical carriers or reservoir hosts for EIA.
How long does phase 1 last?
1 to 3 days
What are two things that can cause a relapse of EIA.
- Stress
2. Treatment with corticosteroids
How can EIA be transmitted?
- Biting flies
- Iatrogenic
- Blood transfusions
- Transplacental if mares have high viremia
What are some biting flies that carry EIA from horse to horse?
Deer flies, horse flies, and sometimes stable flies
How is EIA diagnosed?
Using the Agar Gel Immunodeficiency (AGID)
What is another name for this test?
Coggins Test
When may a false positive occur?
- When a foal is nursing on an EIA positive mare. (due to colostral antibodies).
- Foals born to a seropositive mare (positive for 6 to 8 months)
When may a false negative occur?
Within the first few weeks of infection.
What should you do if a foal under 6 months of age tests positive for EIA?
Retest them when they are old enough for the colostral antibodies to no longer be detectable.
What are the treatment guidelines for EIA?
Supportive and symptomatic care
- Rest
- Good nutrition
- Blood transfusions
What should be done with subclinically infected horses?
They should be kept in a screened stall (to keep flies away) and not allowed to go out on the pasture.
What are the control guidelines for EIA?
- Control the vectors (insecticide sprays)
- Use good stable hygiene, clean needles, and surgical instruments
- Isolate positive horses and keep them 200 meters away from other horses
- Regularly test all horses for Coggins disease
What are the rules regarding EIA for the transport of horses across state lines and entering shows and competitions?
A negative Coggins test is required within no more than one year before transport or events.
How often should horses be tested?
Annually and more often in high risk areas.
How far should infected horses be kept away from other horses? Why?
200 meters, because it is transmitted by biting flies but flies wont travel that far for feeding.
What are the guidelines for horses being sold or going to auction?
They must test negative prior to the change of ownership or going to a sale barn.
The Coggins test is what type of test?
A serum antibody test.
