Symptoms and prevention and treatment methods of white muscle disease in sheep

White muscle disease in sheep is a regional nutritional metabolic disease that occurs relatively commonly in lambs. It is mainly caused by long-term deficiency of selenium and vitamin E in forage and concentrate feed. The incidence of this disease is relatively high, causing serious property losses to farms. So what are the symptoms of white muscle disease in sheep? How should it be prevented? Let's learn about it together below!

I. Symptoms of white muscle disease in sheep

White muscle disease in sheep is mainly characterized by degeneration of skeletal muscle and heart. The affected muscles are pale in color, and the skin may even turn white. The faster-growing lambs are more likely to develop the disease, and death also occurs faster. According to the course of the disease, it is divided into three conditions: subacute, acute, and chronic.

1. Subacute type: affected sheep often die suddenly.

2. Acute type: affected sheep are lethargic, with stiff back and waist, swaying hindquarters, and often unable to stand in the later stage. The buttocks are swollen and feel hard to the touch. Breathing is accelerated, and pulse rate is increased, reaching 120 times per minute in lambs. In the early stage, the heartbeat is increased, and later the heartbeat becomes weak, and arrhythmia appears.

3. Chronic type: affected sheep move slowly, with unstable gait, and like to lie down. They are lethargic, have poor appetite, and show pica. The coat lacks luster, the mucous membranes are yellowish-white, with diarrhea and frequent urination. Breathing is accelerated.

II. How to prevent white muscle disease in sheep?

1. Improve the feeding and management of pregnant ewes, lactating ewes, and lambs. Selenium and vitamin E premix can be added to the feed, and ewes can be injected with 0.1% sodium selenite vitamin E mixture, which can have a very good effect in preventing white muscle disease.

2. For affected lambs, 2~3 ml of 0.1% sodium selenite solution can be injected intradermally into the neck, once every 20 days. In addition, injecting 10~15 mg of vitamin E into the muscles has a better effect.

3. For pregnant ewes, supplement with 0.2% sodium selenite solution, subcutaneously or by subcutaneous injection, 4~6 ml per animal, which can prevent white muscle disease in newborn lambs.

In summary, the introduction on the prevention of white muscle disease in sheep ends here. If farming friends want to improve the ability of lambs to resist white muscle disease, these methods are all very good. I hope everyone can understand them thoroughly.