Q: What is all the fuss about mad cow disease when there is only one case?
A: Mad cow disease is caused by the feeding of dead cow or other ruminant parts to cattle. The importance of the finding of one case is really that there is hardly ever just one case. When this type of feed mistake or oversight takes place, it isn't just one sack of feed that is affected. Usually, it would be a large batch of feed, going to many different farms and fed to lots of animals.
Since the disease takes 4 or more years to incubate and cause disease, it is very difficult to trace the animals that got the tainted feed and they may be dispersed all over the country by the time the problem is discovered.
One has to distinguish between public health issues and political loyalty. We seem critical of coutries for banning our beef, but we need to realize that we got mad cow disease in the US by importing cattle from Canada that were fed feed before the ban of animal protien in cattle feed took place. We certainly should have banned importation of any cattle that were alive before the ban took place.
This is a very serious problem from a public health perspective, although the risk of a human contracting mad cow at this time, is very small. If is understandable that people want to support the beef industry, but I hear a lot of commentary from talking heads who don't know a thing about the disease, saying that this is being blown out of proportion. They just want show support, but they should understand why it is a very serious situation that is not being over- stated.
Send your questions to:
countryclassicsnaches@hotmail.com
Kaia Sorem, DVM
WSU 1984
Veterinary Service
Pet Grooming
Country Classics Antiques
Hwy. 12 & 410 across from Slim's Market
Naches WA 98937
1-509-653-2108
Past Dr. Kaia columns:
Jan. 7, 2004 Mad Cow Disease Threat is Very Serious
Dec. 24, 2003 Warts on Horse's Muzzle
Dec. 17, 2003 Horse with a "Gravel" Lame Foot
Dec. 10, 2003 Dogs Have Fleas in Winter?
Dec. 3, 2003 Cats and Christmas Decorations
Nov. 26, 2003 Pigeon Fever in Horses
Nov. 19, 2003 Dogs with Signs of Lethargy or Intoxication
Nov. 12, 2003 Groom Dog Less in Winter?
Nov. 5, 2003 Dogs Eating From Cat Litter Box
Oct. 29, 2003 Dog Bad Breath
Oct. 22, 2003 Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning for Dogs
Oct. 15, 2003 Navicular vs. Caudal Heel Syndrome
Oct. 8, 2003 Ambulatory Veterinary Practice
Oct. 1, 2003 Acupuncture for Animals
Sept. 24, 2003 Winter Care for Horses
Sept. 17, 2003 Found Sickly Puppy
Sept. 10, 2003 Horse Not Conditioned Properly
Aug. 27, 2003 Barrel Horse Anxious and Unwilling
Aug. 20, 2003 Cats Get Tumors From Vaccines?
Aug. 13, 2003 Horse Unshod All Year?