Pat's Note: Came across this in my travels.

http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1188649

Testing live cattle for mad cow disease 

WINNIPEG -- Scientists say they've made a discovery that could lead to
testing live cattle for mad cow disease. 

Right now, cattle can only be tested after they've been slaughtered. 

Researchers from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the University
of Manitoba and an animal health institute in Germany have discovered
elevated levels of protein in the urine of animals with mad cow
disease. 

Lead researcher David Knox says the goal is to eventually be able to
check for the brain-wasting disease using a test similar to a home
pregnancy kit. 

Rob McNabb with the Canadian Cattlemen's Association says the study
offers hope but it's still early. 

He says the study's sample size is small and any test would have to be
recognized globally before it could be used by farmers. 

-- 
Regards
Pat Gardiner
Release the results of testing British pigs for MRSA and C.Diff now!
www.go-self-sufficient.com  and http://animal-epidemics.blogspot.com/