Written by AAEP

Equine Piroplasmosis is a disease of Equidae (horses, donkeys, mules, and zebras), and is caused by one of two parasitic organisms, either Theileria (Babesia) equi or Babesia caballi. Although primarily transmitted to horses by certain species of competent ticks, this blood-borne disease has also been spread mechanically from animal to animal through unhygienic practices.  These practices include re-use of contaminated needles, syringes, and intravenous tubing, administration of blood transfusions from untested donor horses, use of illegal blood products from other countries, and infectious blood-contamination of multi-dose drug vials. 

Below are valuable resources for up-to-date information on the current equine piroplasmosis situation. Please check back frequently as circumstances change rapidly. 

Equine Piroplasmosis  

Article courtesy of USDA - Animal Plant Health Inspection Service. 

Equine Piroplasmosis Literature Review

Article courtesy of USDA - Animal Plant Health Inspection Service. 

Treatment: Research Brings Hope for Horses with Piroplasmosis

Article courtesy of Equine Science Update.

Collection of recent articles on Equine Piroplasmosis

Articles courtesy of TheHorse.com

Many states and equine events have required equine piroplasmosis testing of horses prior to movement. Testing for equine piroplasmosis using the cELISA test is currently being conducted by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, or one of the approved laboratories listed here. For information on sample submission to NVSL, click here.  For information on the submission of samples to other approved laboratories, contact the selected laboratory directly. 

NOTE: Samples should be collected and submitted ONLY by an equine veterinarian. 

Testing policies may vary from state to state so be sure to check with your state veterinarian for the policies affecting your area. 

Please remember to always keep your AAEP-member veterinarian as your first reliable source for information.

Article updated in 2020 by Dr. Angela Pelzel-McCluskey.