The USDA established veterinary accreditation in 1921 so that veterinarians could assist in controlling animal diseases. The USDA could not monitor emerging or foreign animal diseases, nor fulfill the requirements for interstate travel. The National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NAVP) is administered nationally, but each state authorizes accredited veterinarians. The program works by having a veterinarian examine your horse and complete the required interstate health certificate. Accredited veterinarians are versed in the requirements for interstate travel. This is an official document and is often put online, where you have access to your horses’ information. If a veterinarian finds that a horse exhibits clinical signs with a foreign animal disease such as piroplasmosis, federal and state authorities must be notified, confirmation obtained, and eradication efforts will be initiated. The Coggins test is for Equine Infectious Anemia, which is a non-curable, fatal disease. This form is signed by an accredited veterinarian as well. Veterinarians belong to either Class I or Class II accreditation; equine practitioners fall into the more extensive Class II. Supplemental training is required every three years. The classes attended teach how to prepare an equine international health certificate, determining fitness for travel, and detecting foreign animal diseases. These classes are in addition to other continuing education courses. Class II veterinarians can become a qualified accredited veterinarian with the ability to test for diseases such as contagious equine metritis on the USDA’s behalf. Writing a health certificate or Coggins test is much more than simply looking at a horse and drawing a vial of blood. These are intended to limit or stop the spread of disease across the United States. With international travel, bringing back foreign animal diseases is certainly a possibility. All of these forms are traceable, computerized, and must be kept on file by the accredited veterinarian. Fox Run Equine Center
Posted on: Tue, 08 Apr 2014 20:30:00 +0000
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