Trembling in the calf, a clinical form of white muscle disease
Martig, J.; Gerber, H.; Germann, F.; Hauswirth, H.K.; Tontis, A.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 114(5): 266-275
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7281 PMID: 5042665 Document Number: 44746
Clinical and biochemical studies were made in the spring of 1970 and 1971 on 10 Simmental calves with tremors, one apparently affected slightly and 4 with muscular weakness. Ages were from 5 weeks to 5 months and 5 calves were male. Six calves had been put on alpine pasture in Switzerland one or more days previously and 4 others had been grazing. Estimations in blood were repeated in some calves. Creatine phosphokinase and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase were high in serum. Results for Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl and inorganic P in serum of 10 calves were inconclusive. Examination of one calf post mortem showed severe degeneration throughout skeletal muscle and some heart abnormalities. Treatment was with preparations containing Se and vitamin E and sometimes other substances. Ten had also hexamethylenetetramine for several days. From the clinical signs, serum enzymes, the good response to treatment and findings post mortem it was concluded that tremors could be regarded as a form of white muscle disease. The possible etiology, including type of feeding, is discussed.