Florida Laws Concerning Coggins Tests

Equine infectious anemia (EIA), or swamp fever, is a viral disease that attacks the immune system of a horse. There is no known cure and no vaccine for EIA. An infected horse will remain a carrier and can infect other horses.

  1. History

    • Dr. Leroy Coggins developed the first accurate procedure for diagnosing EIA, called the Coggins Test, in 1970. In 1973, the Coggins Test became the official test in Florida for detection of EIA in horses at the state level. Shortly thereafter, the Coggins Test became mandatory in the state of Florida for all horses sold, raced, shown or bred.

    Significance

    • All horses traveling into the state of Florida are required to have an Official Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection (OCVI) and a Coggins Test with negative results administered within the past 12 months. An OCVI certifies that a licensed veterinarian has given the animal a clean bill of health. The OCVI and Coggins Test must accompany the animal to its destination.

    Warning

    • The OCVI and Coggins Test will be rejected if the paperwork appears to be forged, altered or counterfeited. The paperwork must be an original or a laboratory certified copy and all information must be complete, along with satisfactory identification of the horse. Photocopies are acceptable only if the horse is changing ownership within the state of Florida.