The clinical diagnosis 'suspected of having BSE' is difficult. Cows older t
han 2.5 years, presented to the private veterinary practitioner with distur
bed locomotion present for more than 14 days and with no detectable cause,
should be investigated with suspicion. Questions on change sin behavior of
the animal and during the examination attention on exaggerated responses to
handling and sound can give additional information. Notification of suspec
ted cases and gained field experiences are discussed.