USDA says Holstein in Calif. mad cow case was euthanized after becoming lame, lying down

SAN FRANCISCO — The California dairy cow found to have mad cow disease had been euthanized after it became lame and started lying down, federal officials revealed in their latest update on the discovery.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture also said Thursday that the animal was 10 years and seven months old.

A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes of California had said Wednesday that the sick cow was 5 years old. It came from a dairy farm in Tulare County, the nation’s No. 1 dairy-producing county.

The USDA didn’t elaborate on the cow’s symptoms other than to say it was “humanely euthanized after it developed lameness and became recumbent.” Outward signs of the disease can include unsteadiness and incoordination.

Routine testing at a transfer facility showed the dead Holstein, which was destined for a rendering plant, had mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The results were announced Tuesday. It was the fourth case of mad cow disease ever discovered in the U.S.

Continued:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/energy-environment/usda-says-holstein-in-calif-mad-cow-case-was-euthanized-after-becoming-lame-lying-down/2012/04/27/gIQAIrWRkT_story.html?tid=pm_national_pop