Confusion on CL Testing

[Organic Cowgirl]

I was unable to get any CL/CAE tested goats, so went ahead and purchased the Nubian I was looking at, and one of the Boer doeling triplets that she was nursing.

I would like to get them tested for CL and CAE, but am confused on the tests. I've read my little heart out, but don't understand which tests are most accurate and how exactly to go about them. I feel like a moron, sorry guys.

Can someone explain about the false results and what I should be doing, exactly? I try to read threads and websites before just asking questions, but that often leaves scratching my head more than when I started.

And, lastly, is it safe to be drinking our goat's milk before she's tested, being that it's zoonotic?

Gonna post this before computer crashes....if something's not straight, it's because I've not proofread....sorry.

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

Pull blood, send it into WSU for CAE and CL testing. Honestly the CL Test will only tell you if she is postivie right now, but it's better than nothing. And the stress of the move even with the kid may be enough to show you if she is going to have CL or not, an abcess usually comes up in the first couple of weeks. Plus petting her all over, especially down her neck you can sometimes feel old scars from previous abcess that burst and healed.

Vicki

[billooo2]

Last fall I was going to have my goats tested for CAE and CL. My vet, who also has raised goats for many years, recommended that I not spend any money on CL testing because it is so unreliable.
I wish they would use different terms for CAE than positive and negative. As I understand it, the test does not actually test for the presence or existence of CAE. It only assesses the levels of antibodies. The antibodies are always present, and the levels may fluctuate. So, an animal can test negative for several years, then test positive for one year, and then return to testing negative.
I have not seen anywhere that there is evidence that the CAE virus is the only entity that can cause that particular antibody to be elevated.
It seems incongruous to say that an animal is "negative," when the antibodies are actually present, but the levels are below a certain number.
I have been told that years ago, the labs used to report the actual number. But some people started to use those numbers in advertising, so they no longer report the actual number.
I was in goats many years ago, and I saw what CAE goats were like. So, today, when I hear of a healthy (no symptoms of any kind) suddenly "converting" to being positive for CAE.
After seeing what animals look like that truly were affeted by CAE........EXCUSE my skepticism when I am told that a perfectly healthy animal that has been positive for several years suddenly "converts."
I worked for over 30 years in the medical field. A number one rule in assessing a patient........LOOK AT THE PATIENT!!!! Look at all the lab results, x-rays, tests, etc.......but interpret them in the light of the patient that you see in front of you.
It Seems to me that a lot of goat breeders are simply looking at a simple "label," and taking it as a declaration from God Himself. It is a lab test. It does not even actually check for the existence of the actual disease itself.
It may be the best tool we have at this point in time.....but it is just that.....a tool, IMO.
I will get off my soapbox now.

[saanengirl]

WSU is the best place to send samples for CAE. I don't trust CL tests. I feel the best test for CL is to have a knowledgeable person do a whole-herd inspection of the herd from which a goat is bought. If any animal in the herd shows symptoms of CL, don't buy anything from that herd.

[Starsmom]

I spoke with the immunologist at UC Davis. They explained that they do their testing differently than most other labs. She told me that if the goat has had CL for a minimum of 2 weeks, it will show a positive if they have CL. They consider their testing very accurate. Of course testing the abcess is always one way to go, but you can test the blood with a good degree of accuracy. If you aren't sure, call UC Davis and discuss it with them. They were very friendly and after reading a lot of the negative responses on CL blood test, I wanted to make sure that I could rely on the test. I was assured by the immunologist that I could rely on it.

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

She told me that if the goat has had CL for a minimum of 2 weeks, it will show a positive if they have CL.
........................

Yes a blood test will test postivie if they have an abcess. But when we purchase does who don't have an abscess a CL Test that says they are negative, only means they haven't been vaccinated or they haven't recently had an abcess. See how really worthless this type of test is? UC Davis runs Chi, which is excellent for testing blood when you have abscess...Elissa will also tell you if the material in the abcess is cornybacterium or not...know your tests and know what you are getting back as far as testing goes. Vicki