It is not spread by animal waste or harbored by physical facilities. The disease may be acute, subacute, or chronic. The incubation period is generally 12-15 days but may extend up to 2 months. The acute form begins with a temperature elevation, followed by weakness, uncoordination, rapid respiration, weight loss, anemia, and subcutaneous edema. Death may result in 15-30 days or the animal may develop a subacute form of the disease characterized by marked anemia.
Some animals show only the chronic form with or without acute flare-ups.
Chronic cases with a low viremia offer a chance of spread but over a longer time period. They may carry the virus in their blood for several years, posing a risk to other animals . There is no vaccine for the disease. Fortunately, animals which have been exposed to the disease can be detected by a blood test known as the Coggins Test, named after Dr. Leroy Coggins who developed it. It is our best tool in controlling this devastating disease.