Infected flocks that contain a high percentage of susceptible animals can experience significant production losses. It is among a number of diseases classified as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). What is Scrapie Disease? A fatal, degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system of goats. Once infected, there is no cure for Johne's Disease. It can live for long periods in fecal material and depending on the environmental and soil conditions, has been known to survive up to 1 year. The organism is often shed in large number in the feces and for long periods of time. Infection generally occurs when young through contaminated feed, colostrum, milk, contaminated bedding and water. Infections in the uterus and placenta can lead to congenital infection and abortion. Lymph nodes are also affected and at times there are lesions in the liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys. The intestinal wall becomes thickened and has transverse folds called rugae. What is Johne's Disease? Disease infection is usually acquired early in life, but the clinical signs can take 2-6 years to develop which include severe wasting due to prolonged diarrhea, dehydration, and emaciation with lethal consequences. Other signs may include chronic pneumonia, mastitis of the udder, and systemic illnesses. Goats six months and older become arthritic and suffer chronic joint inflammation. Two to six month old kids that are infected typically show neurologic symptoms associated with encephalitis. The virus can shed by both goats showing symptoms and goats that are still asymptomatic. It can also be transmitted before and during birthing of a positive doe from contact with maternal secretions. What is the CAE Virus? Transmission of this slow growing retrovirus generally occurs from doe to kids through milk and colostrum. Please note: These test results include all goats on my property but Cornell lists the Pygoras as Pygmies. Feel free to review our current CAE test results, current Johne's test results and our Scrapie certificate. In order to ensure our goats are disease-free, we proactively decided in 2004 to herd test for the Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis (CAE) Virus and Johne's Disease and volunteered to participate in the Scrapie Flock Certification Program. Fran with winning fleece in Oregon Certifications
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |