Mad Cow Disease in UK

[Dawg]

Hi all,
has anyone got info on how Mad Cow Disease affects dogs? Can dogs get it in the same way as cows; should they be kept away from farmland where there might be Mad Cow Disease? Any other info?
I know about the food chain, and possible infection routes via rendered meat, I'm after anything else.
TIA
Dawg.

[GreyhoundGirl]

Do you feed raw?

[Ilovemypup]

oh my , I hope your dog is okay!

Hope you don't feed raw , and if you do switch asap( im sure you know that though)

good luck!

[GreyhoundGirl]

Originally Posted by Ilovemypup

Hope you don't feed raw , and if you do switch asap( im sure you know that though)

No... Raw is one of the best dog foods available for overall health and nutrition of your dog. I'd merely suggest avoiding cow meat for a while and change to chicken or something far away from the risks of Mad Cow.

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I found this on a page about mad cow... http://www.auntjeni.com/mad_cow.htm

Can my dog or cat catch this disease?

The jury is out on this issue. Some sources say dogs can’t get it, while others indicate cases have been found in cats. (See Reference 1) Thinking about this question logically, if cows, sheep, deer and people have been known to contract this fatal disease, it seems that our dogs and cats may be just as susceptible. TSEs do cross species-barriers. There is no treatment or cure for this fatal disease.

I know it says nothing for certain, and that is probably even more frustrating, but I'd be careful and keep your dog away from contact (ei, eating stools of these cows, running in the cows fields) with any cows or live stock until it's all over. And watch your dog off lead at ALL TIMES, (you probably do anyways, but now it's more important then ever) the owners of these cows might dispose of the body of the cow in an empty field or forest somewhere, and if your dog is off leash, there's a good bet the dog will nibble on that cow.

As for how it affects dogs, I'm only assuming it would be the same as it affects other beings ... going "mad"

Hope this is of some help and your dog stays far away from this deadly disease.

EDIT: and I've heard (no personal experience behind this...) that one of the first signs is vomiting, so if your dog vomits and you have any worried seee your vet ASAP!

[Dawg]

Sorry everyone, I wasn't very clear in the opening post. My Bouviers are fine and not at risk. I want some info so I can post an article about it, as there seems to be very little info about. It's odd that there is so little, but when I find some I'll post a link here.
Thanks.