02/25/2023
Cache Valley Fever (CVF)
causes abortions, malformed fetuses, infertility, and congenital abnormalities in sheep and goats. The CVF virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and is endemic in many parts of the United States including our own back yard. We have had 2 spontaneous abortions over the past 3 weeks. Perfectly healthy doe's going into labor early and aborting their babies. We are told by our vet he has heard of this but never had a case yet...well until us I should say. So this is just a heads up to fellow farmers in our area. If you have a doe abort take up Cornell on the nectopsy and have your does blood tested. We did just cause it happened 2 times within a week. The results came back positive for Cache valley fever.
We still aren't out of the woods yet as we have 10 more does ready to pop in the beginning of March. We will be on the look out for deformities and we pray for healthy babies and healthy mommas.
Classic fetal deformities from CVF include malformations in the musculoskeletal system and central nervous system (CNS), resulting in scoliosis, hydrocephalus and arthrogryposis. However, it is important to note that this disease does not always cause clinical signs; if two or more offspring are born, one may be alive and healthy while the other is stillborn. Malformations are common but not always present in an aborted fetus or stillborn. Typically, if the dam is infected with CVF prior to day 32 of pregnancy, the fetus will be aborted. If infection occurs between day 32-37, then the fetus is likely to have musculoskeletal and CNS lesions. If infection occurs after day 37, the fetus clears the virus and has no congenital defects.
Diagnosis of CVF is complicated by the fact that the virus is cleared prior to the abortion or birth of affected offspring. Diagnosis therefore relies on fetal or dam antibody detection.
Stay safe out there guys these dang mosquitoes are coming for us!!