A coggins test is a blood test that looks for the incurable infectious disease called Equine Infectious Anemia(EIA). This disease is potentially fatal to equine and is transmitted through blood-sucking insects. There is no treatment or vacine available for EIA and infected animals must be euthanized or quarantined for life in an approved area at least 880 yards from area where non-infected equine are located.
A negative coggins is required prior to change of ownership, sale, exhibition, assembly at public shows or other facilities. The EIA test chart shall have the date that the test sample was obtained, name and address of the licensed, accredited veterinarian who obtained the sample, the name and accession number of the lab that conducted the test, results, and a complete, definitive description of the equine from which the sample was obtained. This test remains valid for 12 months from the date the sample was obtained.
The rules require that the person in charge of any public stable or event shall not permit an equine to remain on premises without a negative coggins. The rules and requlations were established in an attempt to protect the equine industry in North Carolina from this potentially fatal disease. It is the owners responsibiliy to insure their equine have been tested within the past 12 months as well as avoid exposure to an equine if it is known that the equine has not tested negative within the past 12 months. Violation of these rules may result in the assessment of a civil penalty of not more than $5,000.00.
Thanks to Pat Sholes for providing the information for this article.
October 2002
