CAE and CL

BTCB is very proud to be able to offer certified does that tested negative for CAE (Caprine arthritis encephalitis) and CL (Caseous Lymphadenitis). As producers we can not stress enough how important it is to know the symptoms and even go to the extent of testing your herd to insure your herd is not a carrier. Both diseases are not curable and can quickly destroy a breeding operation if not caught in time. So what are the symptoms of each?

CAE: CAE virus may also be spread among adult goats through contact with body secretions including blood and feces of infected goats but is most commonly spread to kids though the ingestion of colostrum (mothers milk) .There are 5 major forms of CAE in goats: arthritis, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), pneumonia, mastitis, and chronic wasting. The arthritic form of the disease is most common in adult goats, while the encephalitic form is most common in kids. The chronic wasting form of the disease can occur either seperately or in addition to any other form of CAE.

Symptoms of each include the following but are not limited to....

Arthritic CAE

• Lameness (may be sudden)

• Stiffness

• Reluctance to walk

• Abnormal posture

• Reluctance to rise

• Weight loss

• Swollen joints

• Walking on knees

Encephalitic CAE

• Incoordination

• Inappropriate placement of limbs

• Progressive paralysis

• Depression

• Blindness

• Head tilt

• Seizures

• Death

Pneumonic CAE

• Deep, chronic cough

• Difficulty breathing

• Weight loss

Mastitic CAE

• Hard, swollen udder(s)

• Decreased milk production

Although there is no treatment you can pull kids from mothers and bottle feed to prevent the spread of CAE. You can also treat symptoms of CAE but can not fully cure the disease.

CL: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, the bacterium that causes the disease CL, is spread from animal to animal primarily through contact with abscesses (pus) or areas contaminated with abscess material. The organism can survive several months in the soil and environment, remaining a source of infection. Although it is very rare CL can also be transferred through milk so it is recommended to pull babies from the doe to bottle feed.

Symptoms of CL are large abscesses appearing in areas around Lymph nodes but a goat can be a carrier without showing symptoms, therefore its crucial to test regularly.

Animals with CL should always be separated and placed in an area easy to sanitize due to the bacterias ability to live in soil and on objects for months to years. If visible abscesses occur you should lance the abscess to let it drain in an area where no other goats can have contact. It is highly recommended to cull animals with CL seeing as there is no treatment and it is highly contagious.

Sources:

http://articles.extension.org/pages/61393/caprine-arthritis-encephalitis-virus-cae

http://waddl.vetmed.wsu.edu/animal-disease-faq/caseous-lymphadenitis