Diseases We Test For

We do not want to sell you an animal that has a fatal and contagious condition! This is why we maintain a “closed” herd meaning that we don’t allow any animal on the property that has not tested negatively to CL, CAE & Johne’s and we screen our own herd members every 18 months for these conditions. There are 3 very devastating diseases to goats and sheep that can wipe out an entire head and there is not much you can do to stop them. So what are these diseases?

01

CL (CASEOUS LYMPHADENITIS)

CL is a chronic infection caused by Cornebacterium pseudotuberculosis bacteria. This contagious disease causes abscesse filled with pus in the lymph nodes of the neck and abdomen. It can also result in abscesses in internal organs.

The bacteria enters via open wounds or the eyes, mouth or nose. Head butting with an infected goat can transfer the infection to another herd member. This disease can also be transmitted to humans!! CL positive goats do NOT respond to antibiotics. There is a vaccine for sheep in Canada but not for goats due to high frequency of adverse reactions such as fever, swelling and abortions. Control and eradication of this disease is extremely difficult. Many people opt to cull (destroy) a sick animal in order to prevent the spread of disease.

02

CAE-CAPRINE ARTHRITIS ENCEPHALITIS

CAE is a contagious viral disease. It is usually spread from doe to kids through the intake of colostrum or milk. The virus can also be spread among adult goats through bodily secretions including blood and fecals. Forms of the disease are arthritis, encephalitis, pneumonia, mastitis and chronic wasting. There is no vaccine for this disease and the only real method to control it within your herd is to cull the diseased animal.

03

JOHNE’S (“YO-KNEES”)

Johne’s (“YO-knees”) is a fatal gastrointestinal disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratubcrculosis (MAP). This is most commonly passed through the manure of infected animals. It is usually shared between adults and kids when the young swallow the organisums via water, milk or feed contaminated by fecals. The symptoms tend to be vague and include weight loss and weakness, parasitsm & dental disease. Usually if one animal is diagnosed with Johne’s the entire herd, even those not showing and signs are also contaminated. There is NO cure for this devastating disease.