BSE and Pet food

I just came across the fact that is Europe, there has been a couple cases of cats getting diagnosed with BSE after eating contaminated pet food.

(http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/news/madcow.htm - for reference).  

I believe this is a concern since a lot of lower grade food uses "meat by product meal" that could have anything from decomposing road kill to dying and diseased cattle in it.  

I would like to bring this to everyone's attention, including veteriarians.  Here in alberta we did have an outbreak of mad cow a while ago and although the meat didn't make it into human supply, where do you think it went, probably pet food.  Also, how many vets actually test and can recognize the symptoms of this infection, maybe the only reason for no confirmed cases in North america is the lack of knowledge of the cause of death.  

[marissposa]

thanks for the heads up.  SCARY!

[MJIthewriter]

I read about prions before...I don't like the idea they can't be destoryed or sterilized...  When I read it in detail, I could sleep for a few days...

Reminds me on the news, when Wisconsin found out there was a version of BSE gon on with some deepr population, they were giving huntors bonuses for shooting deer in those areas suspected...  I shuddered when I saw them say that the meat from those areas was getting processed into food shelter meat... They said the meat was tested safe to eat and the risk of getting infected was low--how do they know that?

I try to avoid venison products ever since finding that out....

[MJIthewriter]

I mean CWD. You can read more on it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_wasting_disease

[zodiacqueen]

Thank you so much for posting this info!!  Heck, we have to watch the so-called "high quality" cat food, too.  It is also made with meat by-products!  Nothing's safe anymore!  Now, that's scary!

[PrettyKitty1]

I read it!! This is interesting stuff. I am so glad I got my cats out of that junk. Who knows where they'd be right now, especially my sick baby, Abby (not a sick baby anymore thank God)

Tammy, thank you for sharing this :)

[lovejeajoong]

Cook fish for them,Do not eat cat food.Only in this way the security
As far as I know,many cat food is to do with animal carcasses!
It is horrible!