Unfortunately, young calves are most susceptible to various diseases, among which is often found white muscle disease.
In this article we will explain how to determine the development of the disease in a timely manner and how to treat the disease.
What is this disease
Whitefish is a severe endemic disease of young. To date, it has not been studied enough. Usually affects calves, but other cattle may be at risk.
Important! If conventional therapy does not give a positive result within 3-5 days, it is urgent to include antibiotics for treatment.As a result of the disease, the activity of the heart muscle is disrupted, deformation of the skeletal muscles occurs, morphological changes occur in the internal organs of the animal.
Causes
To date, no clear reasons for the occurrence of the disease have been identified, but scientists are inclined to believe that it occurs when there is a lack of vitamins and microelements in the animal's body. The peak incidence occurs in the winter and spring months.
Find out what to do if the calf is sluggish and does not eat well.
Stages and symptoms
Several stages of the monkey are distinguished. Consider what symptoms are inherent in each of them.
Sharp
The acute form occurs with the following symptoms:
- the state of the animal is inhibited;
- breathing becomes fast;
- the digestive tract is disturbed;
- occurrence of convulsions is noted;
- can paralyze limbs;
- out of the sinuses and eyes, mucus is secreted.
Sometimes the symptoms in acute form may be absent. In such a situation, sudden death occurs, as it is impossible to diagnose the disease in a timely manner. 
Subacute
This form has less pronounced symptoms.
The main features include:
- appetite decreases;
- note the occurrence of wheezing in the sternum;
- the animal is in a light depression.
Did you know? Adult cows and young calves have a phenomenal memory: there were cases when they could recognize and greet their master, whom they had not seen for more than 6 months.In the presence of a subacute form, the index of resistance of the organism sharply decreases, and it becomes more vulnerable to other ailments. This may cause pleurisy and inflammation in calves. The duration of the disease of this form is 14-30 days. In 60% of cases death occurs.
Chronic form
Most often, this form occurs in calves whose age exceeds 3 months. The presence of symptoms inherent in acute and subacute forms. Besides:
- there is a slowdown in the development of calves;
- appearance of muscular dystrophy is noted.
Diagnostics
It is recommended to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis of myopathy. It should be based on the clinical manifestations and the results of tests performed. Then it is necessary to compare the tests with the age of the animal in order to rule out the development of similar ailments.
Important! Feed for young animals must be supplemented with copper sulfate and manganese and cobalt chlorides. They contribute to better absorption of vitamins and the development of blood bodies.Diagnosis also consists of fluoroscopy. In addition, to study how the heart works, electrocardiography is prescribed. Through this manipulation, it is possible to identify whether the heart muscle is affected.
Pathological changes
If the animal dies, to identify myopathy, pathoanatomical changes are taken as a basis:
- severely affected skeletal muscle;
- enlarged heart and lungs in size;
- the presence of edema in the layers of fiber;
- softening of the brain.
The name of the disease gave a white, milky color of the muscles at the openingComprehensive treatment measures
Therapeutic measures are to comply with the recommendations of the veterinarian and ensure the correct maintenance of the sick animal.
Isolation and warm litter
After an accurate diagnosis is established, it is first necessary to isolate the sick calf. It is compulsory for him to lay a warm litter that will not allow the animal to freeze and thus provoke the development of other diseases.
Find out what vitamins calves need.
Special diet and copious amounts of water
It is very important to provide the sick animal with plenty of drink and a special diet, which is to include in the diet:
- quality hay;
- carrots;
- bran;
- fresh dairy products.
Veterinary drugs
Nowadays there are no highly specialized drugs that can deal with this disease.
Recommended use:
- sodium selenite solution - thanks to him the lack of selenium in the body of the animal is replenished. The drug should be administered subcutaneously;
- methionine - thanks to this amino acid there is a resumption of metabolic processes that have been violated;
- tocopherol - helps to normalize metabolism;
- cysteine.
Learn how to treat avitaminosis, diarrhea, hypotrophy in calves.
Folk remedies
Usually, when treating whiteheads, they do not resort to folk remedies. The only thing that can be entered into a therapeutic course is camphor oil and Cordiamin, which contribute to the normalization of the heart. 
Prevention
In order to prevent the recommended:
- provide complete conditions for the maintenance and feeding of calves;
- provide proper care for pregnant individuals;
- include in the diet of vitamin and mineral complexes;
- regularly tocopherol injections, as well as sodium selenite.
Did you know? Cows are quite sentimental and sensitive animals: if a member of a herd dies or a calf is taken from an animal, there are tears in its eyes that will not stop for several hours.
Video: how to grow a healthy calf
Whitefish is quite a dangerous ailment. The mortality rate is very high, so you need to know the signs of the disease, follow the preventive recommendations and be oriented in providing first aid to the calf.
