[Doug P]

Nice line Heero but the Cats line is not correct strictly speaking:

TB incidence is low in cats and dogs. Because bovine TB is a zoonotic disease (ie it can be spread from animal to human), where TB in pets is disclosed, AHVLA or private vets will inform the Local Health Authority so that any risks to human contacts can be investigated.

Treatment of TB infected pets is not recommended because of the risk this presents of transmitting the disease to other animals and/or the pet’s owners.

AHVLA will undertake a pathological examination and bacteriological culture from the animal – the costs of this will be met by Defra. If notification of a positive culture comes from a private or Public Health Laboratory Service laboratory, they are encouraged to submit samples to AHVLA.

If TB is reported in a farm cat or dog, AHVLA will instigate TB testing of any cattle on the farm and other, potentially exposed cattle, on neighbouring premises.