Care and Knowledge
Care and Knowledge
Protect your Horse from EIA
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a potentially fatal disease that threatens the
world's horse, donkey and mule populations. The virus that causes EIA reproduces
in the white blood cells that circulate throughout the body. The immune system, via
antibodies, may attack and destroy red blood cells, leading to anemia. Infected horses
may die from the direct effects of the virus or from secondary infections. Despite
testing and measures to eradicate the equine infectious anemia virus, EIAV, more
than 500 new cases are identified each year in the U.S.
There is no cure for EIA.
Although most horses show no symptoms, they remain contagious for life, endangering
the health of other horses. For this reason, the United States Department of Agriculture
and state animal health regulatory agencies require euthanasia or strict lifelong
quarantine for horses testing positive for EIA.
Your horse's only protection against
EIA is prevention. Good management practices can reduce the potential of infection.
The following guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
will help:
* Use disposable needles and syringes, one per horse, when administering
vaccines and medications.
* Sterilize dental tools and other instruments before using
them on another horse.
* Test all horses for EIA at least annually.
* Test horses at
the time of purchase examination.
* Stable owners, horse show and event managers should
require and verify current negative Coggins certificates for all horses entering
the premises.
* New horses should be quarantined for 45 days and observed for any
signs of illness, including elevated temperatures, before introducing them to the
herd. They should be retested if exposure to EIA is suspected at a 45-
*
All stable areas should be kept clean, dry and waste-
* Horses at greater risk, such as those in
frequent contact with outside horses or who live or travel in geographic regions
known for EIA outbreaks, should be tested more frequently, every 4 -
For
more information about EIA, ask your equine veterinarian for "Equine Infectious Anemia:
The Only Protection if Prevention," a brochure provided by the AAEP in conjunction
with Educational Partner Bayer Animal Health.
Additional information can be found
on the AAEP's horse health Web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.
Reprinted with permission
from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Little Hawk Farm All Rights Reserved 2012