Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) 

CAE is another "hush, hush" disease among Boer breeders!

We began CAE testing in February 2013, when customers from Ohio requested it prior to picking up goats they purchased from us. All 6 goats tested Negative. I did not realize the disease was quickly spreading through some "big name" herds that were using non tested Dairy cross does as recips in their flush programs. I am not writing this to bash flush programs, Dairy Goats, or those that responsibly test their recips prior to using them. I just feel that folks new to the Boer Industry need to be aware of the potential transmission modes of the disease.

Early in 2013, we made the unfortunate mistake of purchasing goat milk from a local Amish dairy to save a 2 week old doeling that broke her leg and refused powdered milk replacer.  A good friend of mine questioned me about the milk.........which we assumed was safe.  We tested her when she was old enough and she was positive.  It was heartbreaking to cull her from our herd and suffer a loss of over $1,000.00 from the vet bills to set and fix her leg.  She lived out her life as a pampered pet on a horse farm.

After realizing the threat of CAE in Boer herds was substantial, we went on to test our entire herd....approximately 75 at the time. Every goat was NEGATIVE. We are confident in having a clean & tested foundation herd and will continue to test every new goat we add to the herd.  The CAE blood test is very easy to do, inexpensive and best of all..........very accurate.  

Note:  We do not purchase new goats frequently, but when we do.......they are tested.   Additionally, our entire herd is tested EVERY YEAR for CAE when we send in blood for pregnancy checks each Fall.  12 years of negative CAE tests gives us confidence in knowing we are CAE free.   

We use the following facility for Pregnancy, CAE & Johnes testing:

Precision Diagnostics LLC Submission Form

The article below was written by me, Sherrie Losch, and then proof read and corrected by Sara Beth Routh @ the NC Cooperative Extension.