Shivering/Tremors & General Unhappiness

[Goat Keeper]

Hello, I have herd of ~15 does in Northern B.C. Mixed dairy breeds producing approximately 1.5-2 litres per milking. I only have seven years experience, so lots to learn still. I read books, articles, websites, and consult my vet as necessary (not bothering you without prior research!). About 2.5 years ago, I started mixing my own grain. Goats hated the molasses and so I fed them for about 1.5 years (sorry, no exact dates) on a mix with no extra calcium. I realize that was stupid. I have since figured out that they hated the animal molasses (it tastes gross) and I buy bulk human molasses and add calcium carbonate. For the last ~6 months the hay & grain have each been at 1.5:1 Ca:P (or higher). I feed (free choice): a loose mineral mix for goats, loose salt, an iodized salt block, loose baking soda, and kelp (which they ate a LOT of when I started it about 6 months ago, and have only lately been slowing down on). They have free access to both a grass pasture and a wooded acreage (huge) all Spring/Summer. Hay is mixed grass, very little alfalfa. I was not deworming very frequently, but did deworm all in June. Sadly, in searching for what is running them down, I had them all tested and the whole herd is CAE positive (no CL or Johnes). Some of the does are plump and some are a bit thin. Some periodically declare they will eat no grain for a few days. Several of them stand a bit hunched and most of them seem pretty low energy. Many of them have wet noses (not running or sneezing). They didn't cope well when the cold weather hit and in previous years they were much more resilient. There is no coughing, no temperatures, and all eat hay with gusto. When they get excited/stressed several of them have muscles tremors; mostly in their hind legs & hips, but a bit in their front leg area too. There is no common factor I can find as to who shivers (age, weight, pregnant/resting, anemia level, appetite, wet noses...). So, I'm inclined to think they are all affected, but showing the effects differently.
Do you think this is a chronic calcium shortage? If so, what's the remedy?
Could it be a different mineral/vitamin shortage? Again, remedy?
Has anyone had a CAE herd who could tell me if this is a result of the chronic effect of the virus? My vet suggests that, but I wonder...
Thank you SO much for your time and assistance,
Lyn

[punchiepal]

No experience with CAE but the tremors remind me of hypocalcemia (or acidosis).
Sue Reith had a very good article (recommend reading all of hers. awesome and easy to understand). It is copied here earlier this year. Sue Reith article on Hypocalcemia/Milk Fever/Ketosis

Also, you are extreme north. Goats need Vit D just like we do and as north as you are they may not be getting enough. One of the downfalls of low Vit D is decreased calcium absorption. It could be they need more Vit D to absorb what calcium they are getting and you many have to increase the calcium they are getting now also.

Some goat people have not been successful with a calcium carbonate replacement and some say they are ok with it. I prefer alfalfa or alfalfa pellets. Also, molasses can cause rumen upset. Any rumen upset can lead to acidosis.

The rumen can be a tricky "bacteria vat" to keep balanced. I had an old girl start going south with acidosis earlier this year. Good luck!

[southerngurl]

In my herd, when a goat loses interest in grain but is otherwise fine, its' always been worms. Kinda unthrifty, worms. If the last time you wormed was in June, I'd expect you have worm issues. BUT, where you live is totally different than where I do. I'd check the eyelids for anemia anyhow. Fecals aren't likely to be accurate, too cold right now.

[Goat Keeper]

Thank you for your help, punchipal & southerngurl. I'm going to start with the calcium supplementation and see how that goes.