Testing for CAE

pygmybabies · #1 05/13/10, 05:35 PM

What do I need to do to have my goats tested for cae? I got the 6 I have from 2 different places, and didnt know anything about that until I came here. So I would like to get them tested, advice?

Thanks

deineria · #2 05/13/10, 05:50 PM

You just have your vet draw blood or you draw the blood and send it to biotracking.
It is very inexpensive.
http://www.biotracking.com/

Biotracking has a place that explains how to draw your own blood.
Vets charge a lot more to send it off, so just have the vet draw it and mail
it in yourself.

pygmybabies · #3 05/13/10, 06:14 PM

THANKS, at what age should i do this and since i only have a few should i do all of them or just one from each farm they came from?

deineria · #4 05/13/10, 06:17 PM

Do them all - I think 6 months is when most people start testing.

pygmybabies · #5 05/13/10, 06:19 PM

oh well 2 are 11 weeks and 3 are 7 weeks and only 1 is about a year and 3 months, so I should just do the one now and wait on the others?

**mygoat** · #6 05/13/10, 06:55 PM

I'd do the one that's old enough, and wait on the others. Ask your vet to teach you how to draw blood, as it is very easy. Also keep an eye on them for signs of CL, if you are new to goats and their diseases.

Pony · #7 05/13/10, 09:43 PM

The Biotracking site has an excellent tutorial on drawing the blood. It's a very simple jugular stick. If you're at all adept at handling a needle, you should be able to do it.

pygmybabies · #8 05/14/10, 08:42 AM

husband is an emt so he can do it, he doesnt mind, gives all the shots to the cats and goats so good for me, we looked for a syringe last night at tsc that would work for taking the blood but couldnt find one, I think I will also get her tested to see if she is preg, since it is only 7.50 and then I would know for sure! Anyone done that before?

deineria · #9 05/14/10, 12:10 PM

You might have to get the syringes from your vet - I did.

**mygoat** · #10 05/14/10, 05:47 PM

I don't know how much of a blood sample that bio-tracking requires - it's usually about 2cc. I use a 3cc syringe with a 1" 20 ga needle on it to draw blood.

You'll also need the red stoppered blood tubes from PBS animal supply. While there, you might as well order 3 and 6 cc syringes, and 1/2" x 20ga needles (for giving babies shots) and 1" x 20 ga needles (for giving adults shots).

Heritagefarm · #11 05/14/10, 06:43 PM

We send ours to Washington State University (I think it's a university), for the ELESA test (I think it's ELESA), because it's supposed to be more accurate. Please be aware that + animals are not necessarily symptomatic, and you don't HAVE to put them down.

ozark_jewels · #12 05/14/10, 06:50 PM

Yes, Biotracking and WSU are both supposed to be very accurate. I am very happy with WSU and have used them for years. I tend to stick to what I know as long as I like it, so have never tried biotracking.
I use regular 3 cc syringes to draw the blood, then stick the blood into labled red top tubes. Not going through a vet is much cheaper and I can easily draw blood on most of my goats without help.

deineria · #13 05/14/10, 07:30 PM

Yes, it is way cheaper. The vet is $40 per test! Yikes!

Heritagefarm · #14 05/14/10, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deineria

Yes, it is way cheaper. The vet is $40 per test! Yikes!

Oh, and I thought $5 was expensive! Youch, vets are rather outlandish!

deineria · #15 05/14/10, 09:20 PM

Yes, so I used biotracking. lol

goto10 · #16 05/21/10, 11:43 AM

Can anyone tell me how to draw the blood by yourself. I don't have anyone to hold for me.

pygmybabies · #17 05/21/10, 03:17 PM

when you go to thaqt biotracking site, there is a link to a video of a 9 year old girl doing it. I think you coulc also find youtube videos that is what we did last week to learn how to trim the hoofs.