Health queries
Do Merrrit Cashmere goats have CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis) ?
Dr Baxendell reports "As Merrrit goats are descended from feral goats it is highly unlikely they would have CAE . Surveys of feral goats were done in the 1980s and it was found that no feral goats captured in the wild had any antibodies to CAE. Feral goats kept with dairy goats have contracted CAE but if Merrit goats have had no contact with dairy goats they would be highly unlikely to be carrying the CAE virus, although a blood test would be needed to confirm this."