The study also found that changes in concentrations of 16 proteins, including clusterin, in the cows' urine allowed researchers to track the progress of BSE. The ability to monitor how the disease develops may be useful if treatments for BSE are eventually developed.

"The search for a real-time live-animal test has been underway globally since the discovery of BSE almost 20, 30 years ago," said Rob McNabb, general manager of operations for the Canadian Cattlemen's Association. "We're always interested in looking for better ways (to test for disease)."

A cow in northern Alberta found to have BSE in May 2003 was responsible for stopping Canadian exports of older cattle to the U.S. for almost five years and resulted in dozens of other countries banning Canadian beef. The BSE crisis resulted in financial losses estimated at $20 billion for about 100,000 beef farmers across Canada.