Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Selenium Responsive Myopathy Welfare

Selenium deficiency causes muscle disease (white muscle disease) in lambs and adult sheep. Targeted supplementation prevents significant suffering.

Key Facts

White muscle disease affects skeletal and cardiac muscle in selenium-deficient lambs
Stiff gait, weakness, and sudden death from cardiac involvement characterize the disease
UK soils are generally selenium-deficient, making supplementation common
Selenium supplementation of ewes in late pregnancy is highly effective prevention
Injectable and oral supplementation are both effective prophylactic approaches

Welfare Considerations

Selenium-deficient lambs experiencing white muscle disease suffer from painful muscle degeneration - affected animals struggle to walk, nurse, or breathe effectively. Cardiac involvement causes sudden death. Supplementing ewes in late pregnancy protects lambs through maternal transfer of selenium, preventing suffering at no significant cost.

What You Can Do

Test ewes for selenium status before supplementation in late pregnancy
Implement targeted selenium supplementation programs in deficient areas
Monitor new-born lambs for signs of muscle weakness
Work with a sheep vet on selenium status management in your flock