Bad news/Good news

[mygoat]

Here's the story. The first CAE testing I had done on my newest alpine doe came back 'borderline' (positive) about a month ago. The other alpine who had drank the positive's milk was negative at the same testing. However, I knew she was suspect so I separated both of the out to a temp pen. I just retested to see if the negative doe's status changed or if the borderline doe's test results were false... Both are now showing positive results. They are preggo, so my plans are to let them kid out in March and then butcher them. The kids will be raised isolated from all other goats and kids, on strict prevention. They will be pulled immediately upon birth, no contact with the dam at all. The bummer is that these are a nice pair of does both in quality and that I'm very emotionally attached to them. It's gonna be rough.

So that's the bad news.

BUT the good news is that two kids that were raised on their pasteurized milk were tested for CAE and they are still negative... I'll suggest a couple more tests to the new owners, but the outlook is good for now.

ALSO good news, I went out and pulled blood from a pair of alpine does that I'm interested in out at Grace Hill Alpines, because she doesn't do herd testing. However, she's isolated the pair I'm interested in and I tested them for CL/CAE. Both came back negative. They are going to be FF this spring and after she is sure that they don't come back into heat I'll be going to pick them up. They are purebred alpines, one is a black eared sundgau and the other is a cou clair if I remember right... They will be kept in an isolation pen as well, and will stay in such for a couple months after I get them and after they go through another test or two for both of those diseases... eventually they will be in the main pen but I plan on being VERY careful from now on.

[susanne]

donna i think that is more good news than bad
congratulation on the new does. seems you have everything under control now.
happy holidays

[HazyDay]

Good you found some nice Alpines I really will hate hearing that you had to do your does in, but it is for wellfere of the animal. I have a Nubian doe that I think has CAE, but there was talk about something goning on with this bloodlines knees :shurg: I don't know what I will do with her, I may keep a doe from her and do her in or give her to this place that takes in animals. They have alot of CAE does living out their lives till the time comes. They get a vet to come out and put the animals down if they are dying so I may do that. I hate to see this doe go :bawling:

[Liese]

You might check around with any goat dairies - many of them here have CAE positive does which they keep in the line up. I can understand that you wouldn't want to have seperate facilities for these girls but someone else might be already set up that way.

[HazyDay]

Liese if you read Dona's website shes says

I BUTCHER any disease carrying goats because I do not agree ethically with the passing on or possible irresponsible maintenance of the infected animal post sale; If I butcher out an infected animal, I can guarantee that this disease is always responsibly handled and the infected animals will never suffer, ever.

Dona, you say you are gonna test their colostrum, so you would have to milk some out. It is really sad to hear all the does that are CAE pos.

[deafgoatlady]

AWW. That is so sad that you are going to butcher them... I have a couple postive girls but I am not planning on butcher them or sell them. I am keeping them becuz I am attached to them. They are happy and dont show any sign of problems yet.. So I am keep an eye on them.. The rest of the goats is negative.. So I kept them seperate. feed them seperate and water them seperate. I am happy that way it is .. But I understand how u feel. I respect ur wishes... Good Luck..

[Mrs. Jo]

That is too bad but don't be so attached to them. At the threat of sounding very cold, I will say that you are putting your herd at risk, and jeopardizing your business and hobby at the same time. You must know that if you try to sell any kids you must mention that you have CAE positive goats on the property, and give the option of the buyers backing out of any deals you try to make. To keep your integrity you will have to turn away many innocent buyers, other wise you you yourself are going to be labeled as a dishonest breeder. How many of you could actually sell cae positive goats, or exposed to cae positive goats to folks who are just starting out??

Try seeing your buyers walk away when you mention "virus" to them. Then ask yourself just how emotionally attached to these goat you are? If you can't sell your kids honestly, then why bother with them?

Please, please, please.... make the brave choice to clean up your herd, for all those newbies and 4-H kids who look up to you.

This is the voice of experience talking here, by the way.

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

Excellent, really excellent post Jo, Vicki.

[moonspinner]

I wonder what choices people would make if they had a positive doe who was a top of the line goat? I know a breeder who has a doe, CAE positive for most of her life and she's past ten years now. This doe, a show champion AR milker has been one of the most influential in the breed. She has been separated from the getgo, strict prevention, with no positive offspring that I know of and her owner CAE tests twice annually.
Not saying I agree or disagree - just wondering if the decision to cull would be affected by the quality of the animal?