Coggins Test
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Transcript Coggins Test
Keeping horses
healthy at shows and
events
Cathy Lombardi, DVM
The Oaks Equine and Farm Services
Smithfield, VA
Vaccines
Coggins testing
Setting up a first aid kit
Safety at shows, trail rides and other
events
Questions
Core Vaccines
Vaccines that all horses should receive
whether or not they leave your property
Diseases that are usually very serious or
even fatal
Horse contracts disease from mosquitoes
(EEE,WEE,WNV), wildlife (rabies) or
environment (tetanus)
Viral encephalitis
Caused by Eastern Equine Encephalitis
virus (EEE), Western Equine Encephalitis
virus (WEE) or West Nile Virus (WNV)
EEE is the most serious and most horses
that contract EEE die or are euthanized
EEE is VERY COMMON in unvaccinated
horses in this area
EEE, WEE and WNV all have similar
signs
Signs of EEE
Fever
Severe depression (“sleeping sickness”)
Ataxia (drunk, uncoordinated, fall down)
Seizure
Blind
95% fatality rate!
ALL HORSES MUST BE VACCINATED
EVERY 6 MONTHS FOR EEE!
WEE
Signs are identical to EEE, but chance of
survival is higher (20-50% die)
ALL HORSES IN THIS AREA SHOULD
BE VACCINATED EVERY 6 MONTHS
West Nile Virus
First seen in the US in horses in 1999
Fever, ataxia, circling, depression
Muscle twitching in muzzle, neck and chest are
common
30% horses with WNV die
Treatment is supportive care (fluids, antiinflammatories) and can be costly ($1500 and
up)
ALL HORSES SHOULD BE VACCINATED
EVERY 6 MONTHS
Rabies
Contracted from wildlife biting horse
Rare that bite wound is seen
Uncommon disease, but because of
public health concern important to
vaccinate
Usually takes the “dumb” form
ALL HORSES SHOULD BE
VACCINATED ONCE A YEAR FOR
RABIES
Tetanus
Caused by a bacteria in the environment C.
tetani
Sawhorse stance, lock jaw
Wounds, surgical sites (castrations), stepping
on nails
ALL HORSES MUST BE VACCINATED AT
LEAST ONCE A YEAR AND BOOSTERED AT
TIME OF INJURY OR SURGERY
What if my horses leave the
property?
Concerned about disease that they can
catch from other horses
Influenza (Flu)
Rhinopneumonitis (Rhino)
Strangles (Strep equi)
All respiratory diseases spread by direct
contact or aerosol from horse coughing
or sneezing
Flu and Rhino
Viral respiratory diseases
Runny nose, cough, fever, lethargic, off
feed
Spread by aerosol
VACCINES FOR FLU/RHINO SHOULD
BE GIVEN EVERY 4-6 MONTHS
Strangles
Highly contageous bacterial infection of
upper respiratory tract
Nasal discharge, fever, off feed, lethargy,
enlarged abscessed lymph nodes
Can survive on wood for 7-9 weeks,
water for 6 weeks (DON’T USE
COMMUNAL WATER TANKS)
Intra-nasal vaccine given annually may
prevent or lessen signs
Strangles
Other vaccines
Botulism
Found in soil, roundbales, rotting vegetation
Shaker foal syndrome
Vaccine only protects against 1 type “B” (3 shots
initially then once a year)
Potomac Horse Fever
Diarrhea, laminitis
Vaccine lessens signs, may not prevent
Every 6 months
Pneumabort
Herpes virus – abortions in mares, 5, 7 and 9
months of gestation
Should I do my own
vaccines?
Anyone can learn to give a shot, the concern is
how the vaccine has been handled and stored
prior to giving it
We have seen vaccine failures in owner
administered vaccines that were purchased
from on-line stores
Seen outdated vaccine sold at tack stores
Annual visit allows us to examine the horse,
give advice on feeding and husbandry
Coggins Test
For Equine Infectious Anemia
Fatal disease that has no treatment
Horses may have no symptoms but can
spread it to other horses through biting
insects, reused needles
If positive horse is found, euthanasia or
lifetime quarantine from other horses is
required
b) No equine more than six months of age shall
be sold, offered for sale, traded, given away,
or moved for the purpose of change of
ownership unless accompanied by the
original official negative test for EIA
administered within 12 months prior to sale or
movement, except that equine which are offered
for sale at auction markets or sales may have a
blood sample drawn at the market by the
market's veterinarian at the seller's expense. In
such cases, the equine may be sold and
transferred contingent upon receipt of an official
negative EIA test. Until receipt of an official
negative EIA test, the equine must be isolated in
accordance with standards for isolation of
positive reactors, pursuant to 2 NCAC 52B
.0408(c)(2).
(c) All equine brought to or kept at any
public stables or other public place for
exhibition, recreation or assembly shall
be accompanied by either the original or
a copy of an official negative test for EIA
administered within the previous 12
months. The owner, operator or person
in charge of any public stables or other
public place where equine are brought
or kept for exhibition, recreation or
assembly shall not permit an equine to
remain on the premises without the test
required by this Rule.
FIRST AID KIT - Basic
Thermometer (+/- stethoscope)
Wound Care (roll gauze, vet wrap, clean
towels, non stick pads, exam gloves)
Sharp knife
Rasp and pliers to pull shoe
Duct tape and elastikon
OTC meds (triple antibiotic ointment,
benadryl)
Safety on the road
Make sure trailers are well maintained
Tires (wear and pressure)
Floorboards (rotting)
Lights work (add reflective markers)
Breaks, Safety chains, etc
Hauling horses safely
Leather or break-away halters
Tie at appropriate length
If hauling 1 horse, put in left side
Do up butt bar before tieing horse
Never load or tie horse to unhitched trailer
Supervise horses when tied to outside of trailer
– make sure ramp is up
Have knife handy in case of accident
What to keep with you
Copy of coggins test
Health Certificate if traveling out of state
First Aid kit
Water from home if horse is picky
Hammer if stalling overnight to pound in
protruding nails, etc.
Safety at events
Pay attention to horses around you!
If your horse tends to kick out at other horses
use a red ribbon in tail to alert others
Avoid common water troughs
Avoid overheating by finding shade, offering
water frequently
Try to get vaccines about 3 weeks prior to your
“season” starting
Questions?