Scientists say they've made a discovery that could lead to testing live cattle for mad cow disease.
Right now, cattle can only be tested after they've been slaughtered.
Researchers from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the University of Manitoba and an animal health institute in Germany have discovered elevated levels of protein in the urine of animals with mad cow disease.
Lead researcher David Knox says the goal is to eventually be able to check for the brain-wasting disease using a test similar to a home pregnancy kit.
Rob McNabb with the Canadian Cattlemen's Association says the study offers hope but it's still early.
He says the study's sample size is small and any test would have to be recognized globally before it could be used by farmers.
