What symptoms are associated with a horse testing positive for Coggins?

• A. Aggressive behavior and sweating after feed
• B. No signs; asymptomatic
• C. Always fever with coughing
• D. Shows weakness, staggering gait and paralysis

Answer: (D)

A positive Coggins indicates equine infectious anemia, a disease that can cause systemic illness due to anemia and inflammation. While some horses show no signs, others develop weakness and changes in gait as their oxygen-carrying capacity declines. In more severe or advanced cases, this weakness can progress to a staggering gait and even paralysis as the animal becomes increasingly debilitated. The other described scenarios don’t fit as well: aggressive behavior and sweating after feeding aren’t typical signs of EIA, fever with coughing isn’t a classic presentation for this infection, and some horses are asymptomatic, so a purely “no signs” description isn’t a reliable association with a positive test.