How is caprine arthritis encephalitis treated?

There are no known treatments for any of the clinical forms of CAE, and animals will not recover. Animals with mild cases of the arthritic form can be made more comfortable by providing regular, correct hoof trimming, providing easily accessible feed and water, and by long-term veterinary care.

What causes caprine arthritis encephalitis?

Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) is a multisystem viral disease of goats caused by a lentivirus, a type-C retrovirus that is related to the visna virus of sheep. In addition to causing a demyelinating leukoencephalitis of young goats, this virus causes pneumonitis, arthritis, and mastitis of older adult goats.

What is caprine arthritis and encephalitis?

Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) virus is a member of the small ruminant lentiviruses (also includes ovine progressive pneumonia, or OPP, of sheep), which may lead to chronic disease of the joints, and on rare occasions, encephalitis in goat kids less than six months of age.

What is caprine arthritis encephalitis in goats?

Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) is a progressive, debilitating, and contagious disease in goats caused by a lentivirus, meaning it is a slow growing virus, which is one of the reasons it is hard for producers to control.

Is CAE in goats fatal?

There is no specific treatment for CAE. However, goats may be given supportive care including pain medication and antibiotics for opportunistic bacterial infections. Even with supportive care, the encephalitic form is usually fatal.

How common is CAE in goats?

Therefore, the ovine and caprine lentiviruses are commonly referred to as small ruminant lentiviruses. CAEV infection is widespread in dairy goat breeds but uncommon in meat- and fiber-producing goats.

Is caprine arthritis encephalitis fatal?

Is CAE genetic in goats?

Our findings indicate that the prevalence of CAE in goat herds can be reduced or eliminated through direct genetic selection for CAE resistance in addition to proper management strategies.

What do I do if my goat has CL?

Goats infected with CL should be milked last, and all equipment cleaned and sanitized after use. The infection is potentially transmissible to humans, so wear protective clothing when working with infected or possibly infected animals.

Should I vaccinate my goats for CL?

There are commercial CL vaccines available for sheep and goats. The vaccine may help reduce the prevalence of CL within a flock but will not prevent all new infections or cure existing infections. Consult a veterinarian to discuss vaccine usage in your flock, especially before using the vaccine in a naïve flock.