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"I pride myself in raising healthy goats."
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The goat herd of Solis Occasus Villa was tested in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 & again in 2023.
ALL goats were found to be NEGATIVE for CAE, CL & Johne's.
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Caprine Arthritis Encephalomyelitis (CAE):
Caprine Arthritis Encephalomyelitis is usually transmitted through milk from dams to kids. It is more common among dairy goats raised on pooled milk than it is among goats that raise their own kids. Fainting (Myotonic) Goats are a low-risk breed unless they are housed with other breeds of goats, or are part of an embryo transfer program involving dairy does, which is not the case at Solis Occasus Villa.
Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL):
Caseous Lymphadenitis is a bacterial disease that causes abscesses. It lasts in the environment for up to six months, and the incubation in an exposed goat can be up to a few years but is typically six months or less. We have never had a case of CL and are confident we do not have the organism on the villa.
Johne's Disease:
Johne's Disesase is an insidious bacterial disease that causes wasting. This usually occurs in middle-aged animals, although the course of the disease varies considerably and it should be considered whenever a goat has chronic wasting. Johne's is generally spread from a dam to her kids. the disease can spread to older animals but with much more difficulty that to youngsters a few days old. The most susceptible time period is the short time span right after birth, and the environment needs to be heavily contaminated so that oral exposure occurs. Infected does generally have the organism on their udders, which allows the kid to get early infectious exposure. The organism can last in the soil up to a year, which represents certain but low risk in extensive pasture-based systems. This is in contrast to more closely housed dairy situations (especially cattle) where significant environmental contamination is assured throughout most facilities, and most youngsters are closely housed in confined groups.
The tests for Johne's disease all have drawbacks, but are useful if used appropriately. The AGID blood test is very specific, meaning that animals that are positive by this are nearly all infected. This test does miss some infected goats, however. The ELISA blood test, in contrast, picks up more of the infected animals (not all) but also tends to pick up as positive some that are not infected, especially if they have been exposed to or vaccinated for Caseous Lymphadenitis. There is also a fecal test that can take up to 14 weeks to complete depending on which method is used (there is a liquid test and a solid test). A negative fecal test is not definitive as the animal can be shedding the bacteria intermittently, or not shedding at all when they are not exhibiting symptoms. A positive fecal test, however, is considered the "gold standard" in testing for Johne's, meaning a positive fecal test result means the animal is infected. The status of the tests is important to consider when evaluating the status of a herd - a negative test coming from a herd with a number of positives is much less reassuring than a negative test coming from a herd of all negatives. Animals are also only likely to be positive by either test if actually shedding the organisms. So, an animal with an early, non-contagious case may well be negative and then become positive only later as it develops the clinical disease and becomes infectious. It is therefore important to evaluate test results on the basis of the entire herd and not only the individuals in the herd. In addition, testing should be done regularly so that those animals that convert to positive status late are culled prior to becoming overly contagious.
We will not be able to say we have no risk for Johne's, nor can any herd make that claim since testing indicates only no positives at a given time. We feel confident that the present animals in the herd are "low risk".
Footrot:
Footrot is a bacterial disease that is usually brought in with newly acquired goats. We have never had a case of footrot and the few goats that we purchase are quarantined and foot trimmed until we are sure that we are not introducing the bacteria that causes footrot onto the villa.
Soremouth:
Soremouth (contagious ecthyma), is a contagious viral disease in sheep & goats. Fortunately, we have never had any cases of soremouth here at the villa.
Pinkeye:
Fortunately, we have never had any cases of pinkeye here at the villa.
Parasites:
Parasites are managed minimally here at the villa. Animals are generally dewormed before kidding, and then on the basis of the FAMACHA system. Fainting Goats are known to be naturally more parasite resistant than are other breeds of goat. We have never had goats show signs of the menigeal deer worm that causes brain or spinal damage.
Routine Vaccinations:
Our goats are routinely vaccinated for Clostridium Perfringens Type C and D and Tetanus (CD&T) at age 4 weeks, given a booster at 8 weeks and then revaccinated annually.
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Currently my Herd is CLOSED.
In the future, if I decide to reopen and bring in any new stock, it will be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days and will be tested prior to introduction to my herd to ensure the continued good health of my goats.
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