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White muscle disease (WMD), also known as nutritional myopathy or nutritional myodegeneration (NMD), is a degenerative muscle disease caused by a deficiency of selenium and/or vitamin E. It affects large animals, including cattle, horses, sheep, and goats, and can lead to muscle weakness, stiffness, and difficulty rising. While it is not contagious, certain environmental factors, such as soil composition and feed quality, can contribute to the development of WMD. In this paragraph, we will explore the topic of whether white muscle disease is infectious and discuss its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Nutritional myopathy of calves, nutritional myodegeneration (NMD) |
| Affected Animals | Calves, lambs, kids, horses, foals, pigs, sheep, goats |
| Cause | Selenium and/or vitamin E deficiency |
| Symptoms | Muscle weakness, stiffness, arched back, difficulty rising, lethargy, fever, frothy nasal discharge, elevated and irregular heart and respiratory rate, dysphagia, respiratory distress, cardiac arrhythmias |
| Treatment | Selenium and vitamin E supplements, antibiotics, intravenous fluids and electrolytes |
| Prevention | Selenium and vitamin E supplements, sodium selenite, selenium-fortified salt or mineral mixtures, soil application of selenium |
| Mortality Rate | 30-45% for foals and horses |
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What You'll Learn
Nutritional myopathy of calves
Nutritional myopathy, or white muscle disease, is a condition that affects young calves and is associated with deficiencies in selenium, vitamin E, or both. It is a congenital condition that affects the cardiac muscle, causing death within 2-3 days of birth due to cardiac muscle degeneration. On examination, the heart will show white, chalky subendochondral plaques noticeable in the left ventricle, resulting in damage to cardiac muscle cells and Purkinje fibres.
There are two forms of white muscle disease: the congenital form, which affects the cardiac muscle, and a delayed form associated with either cardiac or skeletal muscle. The delayed form may be brought on by vigorous exercise, and chronically affected cattle may display splayed toes and a relaxed shoulder girdle. If left untreated, calves may die of starvation due to their inability to nurse properly as a result of weakness.
The skeletal muscle lesions associated with the delayed form of white muscle disease are usually bilaterally symmetrical and can affect one or more muscle groups. The muscle will have white striations and feel dry and chalky due to abnormal calcium deposits. Diagnosis of white muscle disease involves examining levels of muscle enzymes in the blood to determine the severity of the disease and the extent of muscular damage.
Treatment for white muscle disease in calves includes restoring selenium and vitamin E levels using sodium selenite and vitamin E in sterile emulsion. This can be administered SC or IM, with 1 mg of selenium and 50 mg of vitamin E per 18 kg of body weight. If necessary, the treatment may be repeated after two weeks, but no more than four doses should be given in total. In cases of simple vitamin E deficiency, treatment with dietary supplementation using alpha-tocopherol or vitamin E-rich substances can be effective.
Prevention of white muscle disease involves providing cows with 15 mg of selenium, usually as sodium selenite, four weeks before calving. To prevent the delayed type, calves are given 5 mg of selenium at two to four weeks of age and two more doses at monthly intervals. Other procedures for selenium supplementation include the administration of intraruminal selenium pellets, the use of selenium-fortified salt or mineral mixtures, and the implantation of selenium pellets.
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Selenium and vitamin E deficiencies
White Muscle Disease (WMD), also known as Nutritional Myopathy of Calves or Nutritional Myodegeneration (NMD), is associated with deficiencies in selenium, vitamin E, or both. Selenium is a trace element and an antioxidant that protects the body from oxidative stress, a natural byproduct of metabolism. It also regulates thyroid hormones and works with vitamin E to reduce free radicals generated in the cell. Vitamin E is a collective name for a group of fat-soluble compounds called tocopherols, which act as antioxidants. These antioxidants protect the body's cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, which are unstable, reactive substances formed during the conversion of food to energy.
WMD is observed in livestock and horses, with the latter also experiencing NMD. In livestock, WMD is more commonly seen in lambs, calves, and chickens, while in horses, it affects skeletal and cardiac muscles. The congenital form of WMD in calves results in death within 2-3 days of birth due to cardiac muscle degeneration, while the delayed form is associated with either cardiac or skeletal muscle issues and can be brought on by vigorous exercise. In horses, NMD is caused by inadequate serum selenium levels and can be triggered by stress and illness, contributing to muscle cell damage.
To prevent and treat selenium and vitamin E deficiencies, various strategies are employed. In livestock, cows are given selenium supplements before calving, and calves are given selenium at two to four weeks of age and monthly intervals thereafter. In some cases, a mixture of selenium and vitamin E is advocated. For horses, vitamin E is included in most commercial equine feeds and vitamin supplements, and selenium supplements are provided when necessary.
Deficiencies in selenium and vitamin E can have significant health consequences. In pigs, for example, vitamin E and selenium deficiencies can make them more susceptible to other diseases and increase the risk of iron toxicity. In horses, these deficiencies can lead to severe and often irreversible diseases, particularly neuromuscular diseases. Thus, maintaining proper nutrition and consulting with veterinarians is crucial to prevent and address these deficiencies.
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Treatment and prevention
White Muscle Disease (WMD), also known as nutritional myopathy, is a condition that affects young calves and newborn foals. It is associated with deficiencies in selenium, vitamin E, or both. While it is not contagious, the disease can be fatal, especially if left untreated.
Treatment for WMD involves restoring selenium and vitamin E levels to normal. Selenium and vitamin E act as natural antioxidants, protecting the body's cells from damage. In particular, they protect the skeletal, cardiac, and respiratory muscles, which are the most vulnerable to damage.
Cattle affected by WMD can be treated with sodium selenite and vitamin E in sterile emulsion. This can be administered subcutaneously (SC) or intramuscularly (IM) at 1 mg of selenium and 50 mg (68 IU) of vitamin E per 18 kg (40 lb) of body weight. Treatment may be repeated after two weeks, but no more than four doses should be given in total.
For calves with simple vitamin E deficiency, treatment with dietary supplementation using alpha-tocopherol or substances rich in vitamin E can be used. Calves have been successfully cured using 600 mg of alpha-tocopherol initially, followed by daily doses of 200 mg. Any polyunsaturated fats should be removed from the diet, as these may be causing the vitamin E deficiency.
To prevent WMD within four weeks of birth, cows are given 15 mg of selenium, usually as sodium selenite, four weeks before calving. To prevent the delayed type of WMD, calves are given 5 mg of selenium at two to four weeks of age and twice more at monthly intervals. A mixture of selenium and vitamin E is advocated in some areas.
Other procedures for selenium supplementation include the administration of intraruminal selenium pellets, the use of selenium-fortified salt or mineral mixtures, SC implantation of selenium pellets, or soil application of selenium at 4 g/acre (10 g/hectare) in fertiliser. Adding selenium to the feed for breeding animals or their young is useful in areas of known deficiency. The recommended supplemental level is 0.3 ppm selenium, calculated on the basis of total dry matter intake.
In horses, NMD can be prevented by ensuring the animal's diet provides balanced levels of vitamins and minerals. Omneity® is a concentrated vitamin and mineral supplement that provides organic selenium and vitamin E. If necessary, additional selenium and vitamin E can be provided, preferably in their organic and natural forms.
In some countries, including the USA, the addition of selenium to animal feeds is controlled by law, and appropriate authorities should be consulted. Caution in the use of selenium is advised in all areas due to the minute quantities involved and the toxicity of excess intake. Premixing and thorough subsequent mixing are necessary when adding selenium to feeds.
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NMD diagnosis
White Muscle Disease, also known as Nutritional Myopathy of Calves or Nutritional Myodegeneration (NMD), is not infectious. It is a non-infectious disease that affects calves and horses. NMD is caused by deficiencies in selenium, vitamin E, or both. The congenital form of the disease affects the cardiac muscle, while the delayed form is associated with skeletal or cardiac muscle issues.
Diagnosis of NMD in horses and calves involves examining the levels of certain nutrients, enzymes, and antioxidants in the blood to determine the severity and extent of muscular damage. Blood tests are used to assess levels of selenium, vitamin E, glutathione peroxidase, and muscle enzymes. Elevations in enzymes like creatine phosphokinase (CK/CPK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) indicate muscle breakdown. An autopsy or post-mortem examination can also confirm an NMD diagnosis, as the affected skeletal muscle will appear pale or white, indicating premature cell death.
In calves, NMD is typically associated with deficiencies in selenium, vitamin E, or both. The congenital form affects the cardiac muscle, leading to death within 2-3 days of birth due to cardiac muscle degeneration. A post-mortem examination reveals white, chalky subendochondral plaques in the heart, particularly in the left ventricle. The delayed form of NMD in calves may exhibit symptoms such as unthrift, stiffness, arched back, and increased time spent recumbent, depending on selenium levels.
For horses, NMD is associated with inadequate serum selenium levels and, in some cases, vitamin E deficiency. It affects the skeletal and cardiac muscles, and diagnosis involves assessing nutrient levels and muscle enzymes in the blood. Horses with NMD may develop respiratory problems or secondary aspiration pneumonia, requiring antibiotic treatment.
NMD in humans, or Neuromuscular Disorders, are a group of genetic conditions affecting about 1 in 1000 individuals worldwide. They are characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness, with autosomal dominant, recessive, or X-linked inheritance patterns. Diagnosis of NMD in humans has evolved since the 1980s, with the introduction of molecular diagnosis using Southern blot and PCR analysis. Next-generation sequencing has further improved the identification of disease-causing mutations, aiding research and genetic counseling.
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Non-infectious causes of similar symptoms
White Muscle Disease (WMD) is a degenerative muscle disease found in all large animals, including cattle, horses, sheep, and goats. It is associated with deficiencies of selenium, vitamin E, or both. The symptoms of WMD include skeletal muscle lesions, dry and chalky muscle, abnormal calcium deposits, arched back, stiffness, difficulty standing or walking, and respiratory distress. While WMD itself is not infectious, similar symptoms can be caused by non-infectious conditions or other infectious diseases.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: A deficiency in selenium, vitamin E, or both is the primary cause of WMD. Selenium-deficient areas, such as certain regions in the U.S. like Michigan, are more prone to WMD. Vitamin E deficiency is independent of soil type and is often related to forage quality. Fresh legumes and pasture are good sources of vitamin E, while stored feeds tend to lose their vitamin E content over time.
- Stress and Illness: In horses, stress and illness are potential triggers for Nutritional Myodegeneration (NMD), a form of WMD. These factors contribute to muscle cell damage, exacerbating the condition.
- Genetic Factors: In horses, certain breed bloodlines, such as Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, Morgan, Lusitano, and Arabian, are more susceptible to a chronic delayed form of NMD called Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (NAD) or Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy (EDM). EDM is a more severe form, characterized by damage and degeneration of the central nervous system.
- Age and Growth: Newborns and fast-growing animals are more susceptible to WMD. In calves, WMD typically occurs between birth and four months of age, while in rustic breeds or beef cattle, it can affect heifers and young steers up to 12 months of age. In lambs, NMD typically occurs between 3 and 8 weeks of age but can also affect older lambs.
- Exercise: Vigorous or sudden exercise can trigger WMD in cattle and older lambs. Chronically affected animals may exhibit splayed toes and a relaxed shoulder girdle.
It is important to note that while these non-infectious factors can contribute to the development of WMD and similar symptoms, other infectious diseases, such as pneumonia or septicemia, can also cause similar clinical signs. Therefore, a thorough diagnosis, including blood tests and examination of muscle enzymes, is necessary to differentiate WMD from other conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
White muscle disease (WMD) is a degenerative muscle disease caused by a deficiency of selenium, vitamin E, or both. It affects all large animals, including cattle, horses, sheep, and goats.
White muscle disease is caused by a deficiency of selenium, vitamin E, or both. Selenium deficiency is usually due to selenium-deficient soils, while vitamin E deficiency is often a result of poor-quality feed.
The symptoms of white muscle disease vary depending on whether it affects the cardiac or skeletal muscles. Cardiac symptoms include respiratory distress, cardiac arrhythmias, and sudden death. Skeletal muscle symptoms include muscle weakness, stiffness, and difficulty rising.
Treatment for white muscle disease involves restoring normal levels of selenium and vitamin E. In some cases, antibiotics and intravenous fluids may also be required to help animals recover.
No, white muscle disease is not infectious. It is caused by a deficiency of selenium and/or vitamin E and is not transmitted from one animal to another.
