Background: White Muscle Disease (WMD) is a rare but significant metabolic disorder predominantly affecting young ruminants, particularly lambs. It arises from a deficiency of selenium and vitamin E and can manifest as sudden death, severe muscular weakness, or respiratory muscle failure. The aim of this study was to investigate a rare presentation of WMD in lambs characterized by respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, and to evaluate related clinical, pathological, and laboratory findings.
Materials and Methods: Three 45-day-old lambs from a sheep flock were referred to the Veterinary Hospital with signs of coughing, diarrhea, and fever. One lamb died and underwent necropsy, while the remaining two were clinically examined. Blood samples were collected for complete blood count (CBC), total protein, and fibrinogen analysis. Supportive treatment consisting of vitamin E and selenium supplementation was administered to the surviving lambs.
Results: Clinical examination revealed hyperthermia (39.5–40.5°C), tachypnea, tachycardia, and dehydration. Necropsy findings included pallor and whitening of cardiac, diaphragmatic, and thigh muscles, pulmonary congestion, and cortical pallor of the kidneys. Hematological analysis showed leukocytosis, elevated fibrinogen (1000 mg/dL), and increased total protein (8 g/dL). These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of WMD.
Conclusion: The clinical, postmortem. necropsy, and laboratory findings in this report support the diagnosis of White Muscle Disease. The presence of prominent respiratory signs in this non-classical presentation highlights the need to include WMD in the differential diagnosis of respiratory conditions in young lambs. Early diagnosis and supplementation with selenium and vitamin E are recommended for effective management and prevention of mortality in susceptible flocks.