we lost our goat Daisy last night from Johnes disease.
She was our very first goat and was the catalyst for what we have now, she taught us so much and we are all the better for having her in our lives for the last 3 years.
She had been diagnosed a year ago after she'd kidded and right up until the last week she'd been doing ok but last night she died in my arms but I would not like anyone else to go through what we've been through.
After her diagnosis we took the decision to vaccinate all the herd, despite our vet being somewhat sceptical about if it was worth it, his advice was cull the lot!
It took a lot of research on our part to find the right vaccine, which is licensed unusually for goats! It wasn't cheap at £99 for 30 shots but we had to try something.
I was delighted to read an article in BBGS newsletter from another goatkeeper who wrote a very informative piece that while it was a truly awful disease that for the cost involved it was well worth vaccinating for protection and peace of mind.
While there was nothing we could do for Daisy but make her life as comfortable as possible and pray for a quick end, I urge all goatkeepers to inform themselves on the disease and not put themselves through the heartbreak of seeing your 'extended' family suffer.