The Prevention and Cure of White Muscle Disease in Lambs by Means of Selenium Pellets

Typical white muscle disease was produced within nine weeks in normal lambs fed pelleted, selenium-deficient meadow hay. Treatment with CSIRO 5% selenium pellets and grinders prevented the condition and provided adequate selenium for normal growth and health. All pellets were recovered at autopsy. Affected lambs given selenium pellets eventually recovered; in these, macroscopic lesions were barely discernible post-mortem and histologically, there was evidence of major repair in both cardiac and skeletal muscle.