Coggins Test

Jim Hamilton, DVM

The "Coggins Test" screens the blood sample for exposure to the virus causing Equine Infections Anemia. This is a serious and often fatal disease that is spread by blood sucking flies. If an affected horse is bitten by such a fly he can then transmit the virus to another nearby horse. Horses that are "Coggins Positive" may not show any signs of clinical disease but act as a reservoir for other flies to bite and thus spread the virus to many other horses. If the horse starts to get sick, the signs of the disease are fever, depression, weight loss, anemia, and dependent edema (stocking up). Most states require that horses moving through the state have a Coggins taken every year - some states are six months, so check with your vet.

e-mail Dr. Jim Hamilton, DVM
Southern Pines Equine Associates