Selenium is a mineral that helps young horses and calves grow strong muscles and healthy hearts. When newborn foals and calves don’t get enough selenium, their muscles can become weak and damaged—a condition called white muscle disease. This review explains how selenium works in the body, what signs to look for if an animal isn’t getting enough, and how a simple injection can prevent serious illness. In areas like Germany where selenium is naturally low in the soil, giving newborn animals selenium early on can be lifesaving. The research shows that the mother’s selenium levels during pregnancy are especially important for protecting the baby.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How selenium (a mineral) affects the health of newborn foals (baby horses) and calves (baby cows), and what happens when they don’t get enough of it
  • Who participated: This is a review article that summarizes information from many studies about selenium deficiency in young horses and cattle—not a single study with human or animal participants
  • Key finding: A single injection of selenium can prevent serious muscle disease in newborn foals and calves in areas where selenium is naturally scarce, especially when the mother didn’t have enough selenium during pregnancy
  • What it means for you: If you raise horses or cattle in selenium-deficient areas, early selenium supplementation can prevent a life-threatening condition. However, this applies to farm animals, not humans, and should only be done under veterinary guidance based on blood tests and clinical signs

The Research Details

This is a literature review, meaning the authors read and summarized many scientific studies about selenium in young horses and cattle. They looked at how selenium works in the body, what diseases develop when there’s not enough selenium, and what treatments work best. The review focuses on practical information that veterinarians can use when caring for newborn animals.

The authors gathered information about selenium’s role in muscle and heart health, the symptoms of selenium deficiency (called nutritional muscular dystrophy or white muscle disease), and treatment options. They paid special attention to research from Germany and other areas where selenium levels in soil are naturally low.

This research approach is important because it brings together information from many different studies into one clear summary. Instead of looking at just one experiment, the authors can show patterns across multiple research projects. This helps veterinarians understand the full picture of how selenium deficiency affects young animals and what the best treatment approach is.

As a literature review, this article summarizes existing research rather than conducting new experiments. The strength of the conclusions depends on the quality of the studies reviewed. The authors appear to focus on clinically relevant information—meaning real-world cases that veterinarians actually see. The fact that they mention specific dosages and reference German research suggests they’re drawing from established veterinary practice. However, readers should know this is a summary of other people’s work, not original research data.

What the Results Show

Selenium is essential for young horses and cattle to develop strong muscles and healthy hearts. When newborn foals and calves don’t get enough selenium, their muscle cells can die and break down—a serious condition with several names including white muscle disease and nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD). This condition can cause severe illness and even death if not treated quickly.

The review found that a single injection of selenium can effectively prevent this disease in at-risk animals. In calves, a standard dose of 5.5 mg of sodium selenite combined with 750 mg of vitamin E was shown to be safe and effective without causing too much selenium in the body. The treatment works best when given early, before serious muscle damage occurs.

One surprising finding is that the mother’s selenium levels during pregnancy are more important than the baby getting selenium through nursing. This means protecting the pregnant mother’s nutrition is the best way to prevent the disease in newborns. In areas like Germany where soil naturally contains low selenium, this prevention strategy is especially important.

The review emphasizes that early recognition of white muscle disease symptoms is crucial for survival. Typical signs include weakness, difficulty moving, muscle pain, and heart problems. The combination of selenium and vitamin E appears to work better together than selenium alone, suggesting that vitamin E plays an important supporting role in muscle health. The research also notes that simply giving selenium through food or nursing may not be enough in deficient areas—direct injection ensures the animal gets adequate protection.

This review builds on decades of veterinary knowledge about white muscle disease, which has been recognized for many years. The information presented aligns with established understanding that selenium deficiency causes muscle damage in young livestock. The emphasis on maternal nutrition during pregnancy reflects growing recognition in veterinary science that fetal development and early nutrition are critical for lifelong health. The specific dosage recommendations appear to be based on established veterinary practice guidelines.

This is a review article, not original research, so it doesn’t provide new experimental data. The review focuses on farm animals (horses and cattle), so the findings don’t apply to humans or other species. The specific recommendations are based on conditions in Germany and similar selenium-deficient areas, which may not apply everywhere. The review doesn’t include detailed information about how many animals were studied in the original research or the exact strength of evidence for each recommendation. Additionally, the article is in German, which may limit access for some readers.

The Bottom Line

For veterinarians and farm owners in selenium-deficient areas: (1) Ensure pregnant mares and cows receive adequate selenium during pregnancy—this is the most important prevention step (HIGH confidence); (2) Give newborn foals and calves a selenium injection if selenium deficiency is suspected based on symptoms or history (HIGH confidence); (3) Verify selenium deficiency with a blood test to confirm the diagnosis and guide further treatment (HIGH confidence); (4) Use the standard recommended dose of selenium with vitamin E, which has been shown to be safe and effective (MODERATE-HIGH confidence). These recommendations should only be implemented under veterinary supervision.

This research is important for: veterinarians who treat horses and cattle, farm owners who raise these animals (especially in areas with low soil selenium), and agricultural extension agents. People who own horses or cattle in selenium-deficient regions should discuss selenium supplementation with their veterinarian. This research does NOT apply to humans—different species have different selenium needs and different risks. Pet owners with horses should consult their veterinarian about whether their area has selenium deficiency concerns.

A single selenium injection can begin protecting an animal’s muscles within days, but the full benefits develop over weeks as the body repairs damaged muscle tissue. Prevention through maternal supplementation during pregnancy provides protection from birth. If an animal already shows signs of white muscle disease, treatment should begin immediately, though recovery depends on how much muscle damage has already occurred. Some animals may recover fully with prompt treatment, while others with severe damage may have lasting effects.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • For farm management apps: Track selenium supplementation dates for pregnant animals and newborns, record blood selenium test results, and monitor for clinical signs of white muscle disease (weakness, muscle pain, difficulty standing) in young animals during the first weeks of life
  • Set calendar reminders for selenium testing of pregnant animals in the third trimester, schedule veterinary consultations to discuss selenium status before breeding season, and document all supplementation given to ensure proper dosing and timing
  • Maintain records of selenium injection dates and dosages for each animal, track seasonal patterns of selenium deficiency in your herd or stable, monitor blood selenium levels annually in breeding animals, and document any cases of white muscle disease to identify patterns and adjust prevention strategies

This article summarizes veterinary research about selenium deficiency in farm animals (horses and cattle) and is intended for educational purposes only. It does NOT apply to human health or nutrition. Selenium supplementation decisions for animals should only be made in consultation with a licensed veterinarian who can evaluate your specific animals, local soil conditions, and individual health needs. Do not attempt to diagnose or treat white muscle disease without professional veterinary guidance. Blood tests should be used to confirm selenium deficiency before treatment. This information is based on a literature review and may not reflect the most current research. Always follow veterinary recommendations and product dosing instructions.