CAE and meat goats

waygr00vy · #1 09/29/08, 08:35 AM

Well I got my herd tested (nigerian dwarfs and nubians) and one doe came back pos for CAE! She had been negative when tested last year, doesn't have any symptoms. All the rest are neg. I know there is a chance it could be wrong and should retest. The problem is, it looks like I will be moving to Maryland the end of the year and am planning on selling all but a few of my goats.

I am not going to sell her with the chance she is pos. for CAE, but also do not want to put her down. My dad has a herd of boer crosses (not registered)he has started and plans to sell the offspring for meat. I thought of maybe giving my doe to him (nubian) as I didn't think it would be as big an issue if kids were sold as meat. But maybe it is? Looking for some opinions. I would keep her and retest but with all the circumstances that isn't really an option. Thanks!

DQ · #2 09/29/08, 08:12 PM

the only real problem is that kids that will be poptentially retained as breeding stock could be exposed to the disease. kids steal milk from other does. CAE can and does cause production losses.

manygoatsnmore · #3 09/30/08, 02:36 AM

I'd retest now. If it's negative on the next test, do a third test as a tie-breaker. False positives do happen, and at least then you will know for sure, one way or the other. Peace of mind no matter what you end up doing with the doe.

waygr00vy · #4 09/30/08, 06:21 AM

ok, guess I will retest!