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Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis or CAE or small ruminant len
Incurable & Infectious
Understanding Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis: Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention Strategies for Goat Owners
This photo shows a doe with the typical signs of enlarged knees and other joints and wasting despite excellent feed.
Pneumonia form of CAE
This doe had great difficulty breathing and breathed through its mouth to try and get more oxygen into its lungs. Note also the twisted front legs.
Wasting & swollen knees
Typical signs of CAE are swollen carpi or knees and wasting or being thin despite good feed.
CAE booklet (within Australia or e-book if overseas)
$25.00
($8.00 shipping)
This is written for Australian conditions and has a lot of very practical advice about Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE or Small Ruminant Lentivirus) in goats
Frequently Asked questions about Caprine Arthritis Encephali
How to test for CAE?
What are the clinical signs of CAE?
What are the clinical signs of CAE?
A blood sample can be tested for antibodies for Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis. These tests are very accurate as once affected they are infected for life. In Australia all vet labs in Australia are accredited and also routinely sent samples for proficiency testing and if they fail these tests they have their accreditation removed until they can pass them.
What are the clinical signs of CAE?
What are the clinical signs of CAE?
What are the clinical signs of CAE?
The most common signs are swollen knees and wasting or thin goats. Others will have twisted front legs that cannot be straightened. The most common age for first signs to appear is just after their first kidding. There is also the "hard udder" form where the udder feels like a smooth rock but produces very little milk. The encephalitic form with nervous signs is very rare
How is CAE spread?
What are the clinical signs of CAE?
How is CAE spread?
While pooled colostrum and milk is the most common way that CAE is spread, there are many ways including: coughing, birthing discharge, shared equipment such as needles and tattoo pliers, and prolonged close contact. Vaginal mucous contain the virus so does coming for service can spread it to your buck.