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RE: [RC] Postive CogginsTest in Chico, CA - Stephanie E CaldwellSindy, As I mentioned before I dealt quite personally with a situation. The regular Coggins (vets correct me if I'm wrong...) shows exposure, but it takes 6 months to show. There is another type of Coggins that is a little more expensive but it shows exposure within 24 hours. There's a third, but I'm not familiar at all with it. Coggins is not really a killer disease, there's 8 living EIA horses here. There's a refuge farm here in the middle of no where for EIA horses, gal that ran it when I was looking is wonderful. Steph -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of sindy mccosker Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 6:01 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] Postive CogginsTest in Chico, CA I have emailed the head Vet at USDA trying to find out if this is true or not. Here is the post that was posted to the Bayequest website: To Whom This May Concern, As you read this story please realize this is an attempt for your help. I am writing this letter in an attempt to find more facts and do what is right. I know we are all entitled to our own opinion and a lot of us enjoy sharing them. I respect your opinion but I am looking for facts and help. Please realize this is a very sensitive subject and a lot of feelings are involved. I am trying to do what is best for the horse and any other horse that may be subject to exposure of this mare. My 4-year-old AQHA palomino mare tested positive to a coggins test. Yes we live right here in Chico, CA. Before I go on with my story I will give you all the basic facts I have found on a positive coggins testing. In the North State alone we test 18,000-20,000 horses per year for what we hope is a negative coggins test. In 20 years my mare is the 2nd case in the North State. The other case found 14 years ago. Coggins testing is a countrywide law. Does anyone even know what you are testing your horse for? Probably not! I didn't either till November 2004 my mare's coggins test came up positive. She was tested 2x and her blood was sent to 2 different labs. Coggins is testing for the disease known as EIA (Equine Infectious Anemia). EIA is a blood transferred disease transferred from one horse to another by a horse fly or mosquito or insects of such type. From what I have learned and HEARD (yet to see) EIA will attack a horses immune system. The horse can become very ill and possibly lead to death. A variety of events can bring on an attack, including stress or a breakdown of the immune system. A cold or something of that sort. Cows, dogs or any other animal besides a horse does not carry or contract EIA. A horse found with EIA is doomed to one of two futures, euthanasia or quarantine, for the rest of their lives. This is to control the spread of EIA and to protect other horses health. EIA is almost eradicated in the US, thus the reason you may not know what coggins testing is for. Any vet will push you to Euthanasia the infected horse spreading to EIA to other horses. Upon conversations with local veterinarians this subject disease is covered for about an hour during vet school. Here is the story........this mare (Call her Lexi) is a registered 2001 QH mare in foal and due May 2005. She is a HEALTHY, gorgeous horse, kids can ride, and not to mention again, she is pregnant. I will tell you now her baby is doomed to the same future as she is, even if tested negative. It is not known whether the foal could infect EIA at age 5, 10, or maybe NEVER so therefore the foal is positive even if he/she tests negative. I have owned Lexi for 2.5 years. In this time she was infected with strangles and a deep cold/cough. She recovered as well if not better then any of the other horses that were also infected with the strangles or cold. Mind you none of these horses have EIA. The state has visited my ranch and tested 19 horses that were in contact with Lexi. All tested NEGATIVE. Four of these horses have been running with Lexi for almost 2.5 years. Lexus has never traveled out of state and was born right here in the North State. Her Dam (mother) is no longer living so testing is impossible. We have no idea where Lexi could have infected this tragedy. Lexi is in quarantine as we speak. The State vet has approved of her location and along with winter the chances of EIA spreading is very unlikely. So now you ask yourself, what exactly am I asking for? I am asking for anyone who can help Lexi and her foal or give me information to ease my mind. Several vets have told me the horse should be euthanized, but NOT one can give me any statistics on horses dying from this disease nor do they know of any. I cannot seem to get any straight facts or anything that gives me a sense of peace to the thought of taking 2 animals lives. I am asking for facts, or a way to keep Lexi safe while I have more time to research! The State vet has approved of Lexi's location but with winter and space limited at my ranch giving this horse what she needs is very hard with my situation. I want what is best for this horse and her foal and don't want to be cruel in anyway. If this disease in fact is as bad as it sounds, can someone show me, or is the law blown out of context? I do not know the answer and this is why I am asking for your help. I don't want to take the life of Lexi and her foal and on the other hand I don't want to put other healthy horses lives in danger. I am faced with a decision and a hard one at that. Time is limited and I am reaching out to all of you. I BELIEVE I have read Everything you are about to read on the Internet. I am searching for cold hard facts from the people who enforce this coggins testing and euthanasia. I run a horse business and love what I do. I am putting my business at risk even keeping this horse alive as long as I have. The love for this horse or horses alone is worth the risk. The dilemma of my situation is, is it justified for me to put this horse and her foal to sleep? I am pleading for facts and help from any of you or maybe someone you know! You can email me back, visit my web site, or even call if you wish. The intent of this letter is to obtain facts or help. I respect your opinions regarding this situation, however I am looking for facts/information/help only. I appreciate anyone with any info to help Lexi and her unborn foal. I have attached a picture below of Lexi just taken December 2004! Sindy =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. 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