THE CURRENT PREVALENCE OF CAPRINE ARTHRITIS-ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS IN MIDWESTERN GOAT HERDS

Authors

Bradley Todd Jones DVM, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2014

Citation

Jones, Bradley T., THE CURRENT PREVALENCE OF CAPRINE ARTHRITIS-ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS IN MIDWESTERN GOAT HERDS, MS thesis, University of Nebraska, 2014.

Comments

A THESIS Presented to the faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science, Major: Veterinary Science, Under the Supervision of Professor Greg Somerville. Lincoln, Nebraska: December 2014

Copyright (c) 2014 Bradley T. Jones

Abstract

Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus (CAEV) is an incurable disease of goats that has both social and economic impacts. Clinical disease in goats includes encephalitis in kids; chronic arthritis, inflammatory mastitis and progressive respiratory disease in adults. In the last 25 years there have been significant changes in the US goat industry with rapid growth in the meat and dairy industries. Recent prevalence studies are lacking and historic studies may not reflect changes in the industry. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of CAEV in Midwestern herds that are not routinely acquiring new animals from known negative CAEV sources or utilizing testing and culling practices to select against infection.

Herds were recruited through local contacts and invitation through the Nebraska Dairy Goat Association. Herd survey provided contact information, goat inventory by age, type and breed, knowledge of CAEV, testing procedures/protocols and environment/management practices. All goats 10 months or greater were sampled and tested by CAEV cELISA at WADDL Pullman, Washington.

We sampled 3488 goats from 57 herds in six states. Description of data listed prevalence by goats sampled, type, gender, breed, age, farm, management type and size. Analysis by logistic regression produced two final models; individual and herd. The individual model reported increase in odds ratio for age until 5 years and various dairy breeds (Alpine, Saanen, LaMancha, Nubian and Toggenburg) compared to meat breeds (Boer, Spanish and Kiko). The herd model showed increased odds ratio for management types, median age of herd and herd size.

Variation in prevalence was noted at the herd and individual level. Breed, age, management type, median age and herd size were important for prevalence. Knowledge of the prevalence of CAEV in sub populations of goats will help veterinarians and producers make choices on the importance of CAEV control in certain populations of animals.