[Clinical examination upon suspicion of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)].

The most important clinical signs of BSE are hypersensitivity to manipulations of the head and neck and disturbances in behaviour and locomotion. Diagnostic procedures include thorough clinical and neurological examination with emphasis on the assessment of behaviour, locomotion and sensitivity. The findings have to be interpreted carefully and depending on the diagnosis, national animal health regulations must be followed.