Equine Infectious Diseases Article
Equine Infectious Diseases: Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)
Most commonly referred to as (swamp fever). EIA is a retrovirus and is transmitted by blood, urine, saliva and bodily secretions. The virus attacks and destroys infected red blood cells and as a result the reduced blood count causes anemia. The horse's immune system is impaired to the point that he/ she becomes susceptible to secondary infections.
The disease is transmitted by blood sucking mosquito's flies and other insects that bite. Also the disease can be spread by non-sterile syringes, blood transfusions and cross contamination by using the same needle on one or more horses. This disease can cross the placenta and infect the foal in utero.
Symptoms:
The EIA virus is difficult to diagnose as the symptoms vary per individual horse and mimic many other diseases.
a.. Fatigue b.. Decreased appetite c.. Sweating d.. Melancholy e.. Fever of 102 degrees F or higher (normal temperature f.. or a horse is 100.0 degrees F) f.. Swelling of the abdomen , legs or chest g.. Accelerated weight loss h.. Unbalanced or rolling gait i.. Thick mucous discharge j.. Abortion k.. Signs of colic
+The signs of colic may present itself by restless behavior, lethargy, loss of appetite, shallow breathing, sweating, distention of the abdomen, abdominal pain, constant lying down and getting up, kicking of the flanks, rolling and pawing the ground and small or no droppings.
A simple Coggins test is preformed to determine is the horse has contracted EIA. Every year over one million horses are screened for the EIA virus. The Coggins test is invariably reliable and detects the presence of the EIA specific antibodies in the blood of the horse.
If your horse shows any of the symptoms above contact your veterinarian immediately.
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