![]() The best way to know if your herd has CAE is to have all animals over six months of age blood tested, this can be done by one of our veterinarians. (Kids less than six months of age are more likely to show neurological disease)Ĭlinical signs can appear in an infected goat if the goat is exposed to stressful situations such as poor nutrition and overcrowding, which means well managed infected goats may never show clinical signs. Neurological symptoms leading to progressive paralysis.Arthritis in any joints, most notably the carpal joints (big knee).The signs of CAE are mainly due to the body’s reaction against the infected cells. Symptoms can vary markedly between animals, with most well managed goats showing no obvious clinical signs. People may also contribute to the spread of infection with contaminated hands, clothing, equipment and footwear.Ī clean goat herd will most likely become infected by a CAE-positive goat coming on to the property. Transfer sometimes occurs by blood on gear such as vaccination needles, tattooing equipment, dehorners and foot/fibre shears, or through exposure to open wounds. ![]() Goats kept in close quarters can spread the virus through respiratory secretions, eg nasal discharge, and cough, saliva and tears. However, there is a risk of spread during the birth process if the kid is contaminated with blood due to vaginal tears. The virus does not cross the placenta and kids born to infected does generally, do not always have the disease. The main spread of the virus between goats is through drinking infected milk either as a kid or as an adult. The disease is also known as ‘big knee’ and is caused by a lentivirus or ‘slow’ virus associated with encephalomyelitis in kids and slowly-developing disease syndromes in older goats. CAE is also considered an animal welfare issue. Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis is a serious disease that causes mastitis, ill-thrift, arthritis, pneumonia, and paralysis that moves up the body, and brain disease (encephalomyelitis). ![]()
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