Ever heard about swamp fever? The correct term for this major horse infirmity is Equine Infectious Anemia, or EIA, and it’s much more major than just anemia. Though occurring in far less frequency than it probably did many years ago, this illness remains one of the most lethal and most severe among known equine illnesses.
The Virus:The pathogen that causes EIA is sort of unique, as it is the first of its kind for which a special condition is defined: antigenic drift. This basically means the pathogen can freely change its form to become untouched by antibodies—basically incurable. More bad news: EIA is passed on by insects such as horse flies and deerflies, as well as instruments that can carry affected blood from one horse to another.
Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Prescription:EIA has 3 stages: the acute stage, the subacute stage, and the protracted stage. In the acute stage symptoms appear—listlessness, swelling belly, chest or legs, fever, and loss of appetite. There are examples where the pony could go on to show no symptoms a month after she’s infected. Even basic drills like horse riding would be inadvisable, as after diagnosis the pony should be kept away from other horses in isolation, and in some states mercy killing is the prescription. Besides, infected steeds wouldn’t have the energy for equestrian sport anyways. 2 to 4 weeks after initial symptoms show, as much as 50% of steeds with EIA die. Those that do survive acute stages enter the prolonged stage, where more fevers, weight loss, and the anemia sets in. Diagnosed steeds may appear healthy, but can easily fall prey to the illness in a year, and symptoms can resurface when under stress.
The Coggins ‘ Test: A 95% accurate way to test horses for EIA is thru the Coggin’s test, developed in the 1970’s by Doctor Leroy Coggins. As the virus changes its form to be all but invincible to antibodies, identifying the pathogen in tests is most unlikely, so what the Coggins ‘ test does is identify the presence of antibodies that are meant to fight the EIA virus. When tested and an adequate presence of EIA antibodies are found, then the pony in under investigation is diagnosed being with swamp fever.
Precautionary Measures: While different states have different laws referring to EIA and its preventive measures and measures to be taken when a steed is diagnosed with it, pretty much all states require isolation of your horses. Aside from government bodies ‘ cares though, an equestrian should also:
-Dispose used needles and never share them between horses and always sterilise tools after use.
-Use pesticides and other effective insect control methods, as well as keep stables and stalls and other enclosures clean and hygienic.
-Quarantine and don’t breed horses that are infected, unhealthy, or under suspicion of having EIA.
-Always have Coggins ‘ test performed for events and places where horses will co-mingle.
-Keep new horse species away from the rest till a negative Coggins ‘ test result.
-Follow laws of the state about EIA.
EIA is one of the most substantial disorders that may end the career of an otherwise proficient pony, and there are worse implications to having the infirmity than easy retirement. Therefore , one crucial task of an equestrian is to guarantee her horses are kept away from the suffering that EIA can inflict.
Horses are Heather Toms’ passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100’s of articles with other horse lovers… like all things about cheap horse rugs
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