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Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV or CAE virus) is not only contagious among other goats, it is also incurable. This virus is thought to be widespread especially among dairy goats, as many as 3 out of 100 goats will develop clinical symptoms of CAE. During the 1990s, claims were made that 80 percent of US goats were infected with the virus which lead to subsequent studies and the infected number was dropped to approximately 30 percent.

Caprine arthritis encephalitis is an infection found in goats that can lead to joint disease but has also been known to cause encephalitis in kid goats. Swelling of the knee joints is usually the first sign that a goat may be infected with the virus. As the disease worsens, the lungs can become congested and the goat's health will begin to deteriorate. A goat with CAE may contract pneumonia, develop mastitis and lose weight while goat kids may experience paralysis in the hind legs that can progress to the front limbs. Kid goats that have been infected will typically show clinical signs of the disease before the age of 6 months.

The white blood cells in goats are associated with the CAE virus which leads to the virus being transferred to kids through the colostrum in goat's milk. Although it is rare for adult goats to transfer the virus to each other, it can happen through blood should an infected goat become wounded and the infected blood gets into an uninfected goat's system.

There are no treatments for Caprine arthritis encephalitis or the CAE virus. Since many goats can be carriers and not suffer any symptoms of the disease, testing for CAE is important especially among herds. Should a goat test positive for CAE, owners should take preventative measures to keep the virus from passing on to other goats.

Infected goats should be monitored while giving birth. The newly born baby should be delivered on fresh bedding. The amniotic sac should not be broken until after the kid has been born. The newborn goat should be placed in a clean area away from its infected mother before the mother is allowed to clean the baby. The newborn will need to be thoroughly washed and dried and placed again in a clean area. It is important to not let the newborn kid to lick or ingest any fluids that could be infected. The newborn will need to be given colostrum from an uninfected doe within 30 minutes of being born. Adult goats with CAE or the CAE virus should be kept away from uninfected goats.

Many goat owners do not worry with testing since most goats are only carriers and there are no cures or vaccines for the virus. Since testing for the CAE virus can cost $50 or more per goat, many breeders do not find testing to be cost effective. However, goat breeders and owners who sell goats, attend goat shows, or travel with goats may be required to have their goats tested. Owners with goats that test positive for CAE or CAEV should take preventative measures to keep the disease from being spread to other animals.

References:

STOREY'S GUIDE TO RAISING DAIRY GOATS, by Jerry Belanger, copyright 2001.

http://www.vet.uga.edu/VPP/cle rk/logan/index.php

http://www.goatworld.com/artic les/cae/cae-waddl.shtml

Learn more about this author, Angela Pollock.
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