I'm trying my hand at raising goats (been doing pretty good with my hens and rabbits). Picked up a Saanen and a LaMancha wethers to use as field goats. Love them to pieces! They are so much fun to watch their antics. I have had alittle trouble with the Saanen health-wise though. He has a swollen knee joint that the vet has drained and has taken a blood sammple to check for a virus that he used intials for ( I can't recall them at the moment). He's due back for a re-check in 2 weeks. But today he seems very lethargic and doesn't want to get up and move around much. He does... but not much. His appetite is down too. Do you think this is part of his ailment he's being checked for or could it be something else? Then Lamancha is fine but can tell he misses his buddy playing with him. Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks. Cindy

-- Cindy Bell (bellrngr@netins.net), March 05, 2000

Answers

Were the initials C.A.E. ? This is a crippling arthritic disease found in goats. It is passed from mother to kid through their milk, therefor your other goat is safe. It could also be a selenium problem, what are you feeding then. This might be a strange question for your area but not for where I am from. Does your vet. know anything about goats? I lost three before an Internet neighbor told me what was wrong. Does the goats mouth look like it has been stung by a bee (swollen) Are the whites of the eyes white or blood shot? (Worms)

-- Grant Eversoll (thegrange@earthlink.net), March 05, 2000.

Cindy, at least your vet was sharp enough to draw blood for CAE (a virus that causes swollen knees and hocks ((the pointy back leg knees)) in does it can cause hard udders with no milk, and it really limits the lifespan). There isn't any chance your Saanen can give it to your LaMancha, unless you have blood to blood contact (a dog attack)etc. But just because your Saanen is tested and comes back positive, your LaMancha can also, already, be positive with no signs. I am sure if the vet was there he took his temperature? (102+) Trimmed and looked really close at the hoof, belonging to the swollen knee? Thing is with CAE, until they are very advanced in age, they don't lay around hurting. I would suspect an injury, some foot rot or something up in the toes etc. Remember the only place on a goats leg, below the knee, that can swell is his knee. Is it hot or tender? I would ask you vet about putting him on a course of Naxcel, (an excellect perscription anti-biotic) and maybe some Banamine for pain. Usually knee fluid will be pink if it is an injury (to the knee) and clear if it is an infection. Did he send the knee fluid in? Keep us posted.. Hate to see your first involement with goats go this way, send the vet bills to the Saanen's owner if he is positive! Vicki McGaugh

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 05, 2000.

The person who replied earlier has pretty much hit the possible problems. The test sounds like it was for CAE, caprine arthritic encyphletis. This is what some breeders call the "AIDS" of the goat world. Now.... I'll really make your head spin with this information: the test, unless sent to the lab at Washington St. will not be accurate. Washington state is the only lab in the United States where the titers and test for CAE are most accurate. its a long statistical story. The test is called the WADDEL. Now, to further complicate the situation a test can come back positive if the doe is pregnant or was recently tested for TB. There is no test available to determine if the positive is a result of the actual virus or from exposure and the goat has an immunity. CAE is a crapshoot with no accurate answers. The symptoms are swollen knees, frequent colds leading to pnemonia and eventually it can deteriorate the brain causing weird behaviors, if they live that long. I would be happy to send you more information on CAE if interested. You can also try going to the National Goat Handbook, its online for goat health issues and for info in CAE too.

Are there any other specific symptoms you have noticed?

Good luck, hope its not CAE.

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), March 05, 2000.

Thank you so much for your responses. Yes, the test is for CAE (I knew if I saw it :-) ). We live in a small country community and our vet works alot w/livestock, so I'm assuming he's familiar w/goats too. I watched and held Jacob (my Saanen) as Doc drained his knee; it was tinged w/red and he figured he might have knicked a vein. Jacob was a gentleman and stood still through it all. Doc also gave him a cortisone shot in the knee to help reduce the swelling (I haven't seen any improvement in that yet). I've just recently wormed both goats so I'm not thinking it would be parasites. His eyes are bright and clear but it looks like he has alittle mucus around his nose so was wondering if he might have a cold. Just found some of his droppings:the pellets look normal except for alittle mucus- looking stuff there too. He still doesn't want to eat much though he chowed down on an apple I cut up for him and he is drinking his water. As far as his feed goes, I give them some sweet grain in the AM and fill their hay bin plus all the browse they're interested in. I have a hard time trimming his hooves, they are really hard and thick and have been told to stay on them so he doesn't get foot rot. I will check out the National Goat Handbook-sounds like it should help me better understand and care for my guys. Again, thanks so much for your interest. I'll keep you posted. Cindy

-- Cindy Bell (bellrngr@netins.net), March 05, 2000.

Good luck with your little guy, please let us know. I hope he feels better soon. You could try giving a shot of vit. B-12 to perk him up, it might help. Take care!

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), March 05, 2000.

I'm am so sorry about your goat! I know nothing about goats but I was surfing and I found your thing. Maybe if you give him a little extra TLC (tender loving care) he might be happier, even if he doesn't move much. But make sure he doesn't suffer too much. I'm sorry. Mariah

-- Mariah (I_Dunno1226@hotmail.com), August 06, 2001.