Combined immunodeficiency (CID) is an inherited disease of Arabian and part-Arabian horses that results in a failure of the immune system to develop, leaving affected animals vulnerable to virtually any infection once the passive immunity from the mare's colostrum has receded.
CID is 100 percent fatal in affected foals, and there is no treatment. CID only affects foals that have received the defective gene from both parents and are homozygous for the disease. Animals that are heterozygous for CID, and carry one copy of the gene, are not affected but can produce affected foals if bred to another carrier.
Genetic testing is available to identify mares and stallions that carry the gene for CID and are at risk for producing affected foals.
Partners
Originated from the American Youth Horse Council's
Horse Industry Handbook
The umbrella organization providing leadership and resources for the youth horse industry.
1-800-TRY-AYHC
