CAE Experts: which test to use

[jBlaze]

I have a question for those of you that are very familiar with CAE tests. I know there are different tests, but I don't remember which is best in which situations.
I used a positive buck this year and would like to test my does before they kid. Which test should I have done? I do not want to have to re-test. I do not want to raise CAE goats!
I have two does due mid Feb, one due March, and one April. They were only with the buck on the days they were in season, some did not take till the third try.
I don't know the possibile time from exposure till a positive would show on which test. (I hope that makes sense~) I feel that my vet is far from an expert on this either, so I am reluctant to go with his advice. Do I test for the virus or the anti-bodies? I remember reading that there are pros and cons to each, and each will miss some. I want the best option for my situation.
Thanks for any input,
J.

[dkdairygoats]

Your best bet is to do the ELISA test, I go through Washington State University. Reasonably priced and accurate. This looks for the antibodies.

The chance of them getting CAE from the buck through breeding is very very low.

[jBlaze]

Very low is what the expert at WSU said, so I feel pretty good about it, but I would like to be more sure before they kid. I am just not sure if I need to test for the virus itself?? I understand that sometimes they can have the virus and no anti-bodies.
Thanks for your reply.

[susanne]

i'm using WSU as well and i'm happy with their service. they are always answering any question i have.

[dkdairygoats]

If they have the virus they will develop antibodies. I would say wait 6 months to be on the safe side. If you are worried about the kids, bottle feed them on pastuerized milk until you know for sure.

I don't think CAE spreads very easily except through milk. I have had a positive doe running with several negative does for 3 years and she has yet to spread it to another doe or her kids. (I bottle feed on CAE prevention program.) Your best bet is to get rid of positive animals but sure hate to do that when they have really good bloodlines.

[jBlaze]

I don't want to have to bottle feed more than I have to. ( I understand the negatives of not milking the doe, but at this point in time that is what makes most sense for our family.) And I totally dread thinking of pasturizing milk. I grew up on a grade A raw goat milk dairy. I know about the cleaning, and I would rather not have to be so worried about that at this time. Pasturizing would just add to stuff I have to clean twice a day.
Ya, I totally hate having positives. We got 2 baby bucks and a 2 yr doe from a lady that used to win state every year for a long time, but was no longer putting much time into her herd. So the genetics were great, and the price too. I tested them wehn I got them home and bummer, all positive, she didn't believe in pasturizing or testing, or really understand the disease. I felt that the genetics were worth the risk for the price. I have simply kept those three together, completely seperate from anyone else, except breeding. I hate to get rid of them, but I will not keep them. I will prob just ask the lady if she wants them back. I will raise the kids of the pos doe with the frozen neg colustrum and milk we saved from last year.
I would just like to know before kidding if any of my does were infected through breeding, however unlikely.
Thanks,
J.

[mygoat]

It's hard to transmit adult-adult, but it is possible. If your does were taken there for hand breeding, chances are VERY low for transmission. However, if they stayed there a month or something, they have a pretty good chance of picking it up.

I'd test now, and then again 1-3 months later. And, I'd also bottle raise the kids on strict CAE prevention. If you'd like to minimize the number of bottle kids, raise only the doelings (and bucklings if they are breeding quality) on prevention, and eat the extra bucklings/wethers.