By Jerad Jaborek, Michigan State University Extension
White muscle disease (WMD) is a nutritional myopathy sometimes called nutritional myodegeneration due to the breakdown of the muscle as the result of selenium or vitamin E (tocopherol) deficiency. This disease can occur in newborn calves and has been reported in yearling and adult cattle.
White muscle disease occurs more frequently after cattle are turned out to pasture and their exercise demands increase. Affected animals are often unable to rise or exhibit a stiff gait while walking because the disease can affect the heart, tongue,…
