What Is Mad Cow Disease?
10. Can Other Animals Get Mad Cow Disease?
Other livestock animals, such as goats, sheep, deer, mink and elk, have their own versions of BSE. However, the infection varies in every animal. Cats are the only known household animal that develop a degenerative brain infection similar to mad cow disease.
In cats, the condition is so similar to BSE, in fact, that researchers refer to it as “feline spongiform encephalopathy.” Fortunately, the same measures being taken to protect cows and humans are being taken to protect cats. To date, not a single cat in the U.S. is known to have the disease.
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