Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Selenium Deficiency and White Muscle Disease

Preventing welfare losses from selenium deficiency in sheep, particularly in young lambs.

Key Facts

Selenium deficiency causes white muscle disease (nutritional muscular dystrophy) in lambs and growing sheep
Affected lambs show weakness, inability to stand, and rapid deterioration if untreated
UK soils are generally selenium-deficient, making supplementation essential in most flocks
Selenium can be provided through pasture treatment, boluses, or feed supplements - injection risks toxicity

Welfare Considerations

White muscle disease causes significant suffering in affected lambs, including painful muscle degeneration and often death. Prevention through appropriate selenium supplementation is simple and cost-effective, making this a readily preventable welfare problem with no excuse for persistence.

What You Can Do

Blood test ewes pre-tupping to assess selenium status and determine supplementation needs
Use slow-release selenium boluses in ewes 4-6 weeks before lambing in deficient areas
Work with your vet to establish a whole-flock selenium supplementation protocol