The Antipolo City Veterinary Office (CVO) on Monday, March 27, held a blood collection program on the goats owned by the city's livestock farmers as part of its efforts in boosting its defense against diseases and viruses such as brucella and caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE).
According to the city government, officials from the CVO went to Sitio Binayoyo in Barangay San Jose to conduct the blood test.
"Ang brucellosis at caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) ay uri ng mga virus na nagdudulot ng leg at joint deformities, arthritis, infertility, at pneumonia sa mga kambing at tupa. Malaking dahilan ito kung bakit nahihirapan ang ating livestock farmers na paramihin ang kanilang produksyon (Brucellosis and caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) are types of viruses that cause leg and joint deformities, arthritis, infertility, and pneumonia. These are some of the reasons as to why our livestock farmers are having difficulties in ramping up their production)," the city government said.
It explained that with the development of these state-of-the art blood testing kits and procedures, together with the city having some of the best veterinarians in the country, the health and safety of both the city's livestock and the public are continuously monitored, ensuring the success of their business.
Brucellosis is a bacterial infection that spreads from animals to people. It is most commonly caused by eating raw or unpasteurized dairy products.
Sometimes, the bacteria that cause brucellosis can spread through the air or through direct contact with infected animals.
Signs and symptoms of brucellosis may include fever, joint pain and fatigue. The infection can usually be treated with antibiotics. However, treatment takes several weeks to months, and the infection can recur.
On the other hand, CAE is a viral disease of goats caused by a lentivirus called caprine arthritis encephalitis virus.
Two syndromes of CAE occur - adult goats develop a chronic progressive arthritis, whereas young goats develop a neurological syndrome, with signs of paresis or paralysis. Less commonly, mastitis or pneumonia may occur.
According to studies, CAE infection is life-long and it may be years before signs of the disease are seen.
In goats which develop arthritis, the joints become inflamed and swollen, and the goats' health will slowly deteriorate. In some cases the goat will not be able to stand.
In goats which develop the neurological form of the disease, the onset of symptoms is gradual over several weeks with the hind legs most often affected.
The goat will be uncoordinated and unable to place its feet properly, so that it "knuckles," that is, it stands with the front of its fetlock on the ground, rather than its hoof. The goat has increased difficulty standing and eventually is unable to stand.
The disease is spread to goat kids when they drink colostrum or milk from infected goats. Separating goat kids from infected goats, and feeding the kids with cow's milk, or pasteurized goat milk, will prevent infection.
The disease can be spread from goat to goat via direct contact and body fluids, such as saliva.
Blood testing goats for CAE virus before moving them into a new herd will prevent the spread of the disease.