Which tests and what medium?

[homeacremom]

I need to do some testing this year and am confused as to which tests are most valuable and what medium (blood or milk) is best to test. The best vet I can find recommended a blood test for CAE and I am beginning to think a colostrum test is more valuable and cheaper.
Which tests would you do for dairy goats?
I am definitely thinking TB, brucellosis, and CAE.
Would also like to test for Johnnes, in case there is a real connection between that and Crohns. Can Johnnes ever be carried silently? My animals have never been sick or in poor condition...
On CL - is it of value to test healthy animals?
Are there any other tests I should be considering?
If you collect your own samples which labs do you use? Please give contact info along w/ the name.

LOL can you tell I am a beginner? I've "played" with goats long enough. Now it is time to find out how to make it in the real market

[DocM]

I only test of CAE.

You can't test kids, dry does, and bucks using a test from colostrum. You need blood. You may as well test them all at once.

If you wait until your does are in milk to test, you're sort of defeating the purpose of testing, unless you're doing it as a back up to an original serum blood test.

CL tests are worthless. The only reliable CL test is that which is done on the fluid from an active abcess.

[homeacremom]

Thanks DocM. I only have pregnant does right now anyway. You are right though, I need to know before they kid is they are positive. If they test negative for everything I don't know why I would need to test the kids.
I am buying a buckling kid but from a nanny who is tested negative for everything. If I buy any adult animals I will test them as well.
Thanks for clarifying about testing for CL.
Are there any other tests that I should be considering that I did not mention?
Thanks so much!

[computerchick]

Doc, I disagree with the CL testing - the newer tests are more specific and very valuable. A goat can be positive and not show a lump - if you don't want CL on your property, you want to blood test.

Now Johnes testing - can be quite useless. High level of false positives (or negatives) based on what method the lab uses ELISA/AGID. Then the fecal testing is only good IF the goat is shedding the bacterium...but then um, well, isn't it a bit too late??? Not to mention it takes 6-18 months to develop in the intestine - and a lot of folks will only test every year, bring in new stock, that has a small undetectable load, and oops, 6 months later....

We test every 6 months for CAE/CL/Johnes if we are bringing in new stock or taking goats to shows, etc. If we were strictly selling meat, we would probably only test yearly or a bit longer if the herd is closed.

We developed our testing program with assistance from breeders of different breeds, a vet and a doctor!

Hope that helps.

Andrea
www.faintinggoat.net