CASE NOTES

Nutritional muscular dystrophy in transported yearling heifers

Shaun Slattery, District Veterinarian, Walgett / Narrabri

Posted Flock and Herd January 2026

Introduction

This report describes a case of nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD) in yearling Angus heifers following long-distance transport from selenium-deficient regions in Victoria to north-western New South Wales.

Clinical history and case presentation

In December 2024, a producer in the Walgett district—operating a predominantly cropping enterprise with opportunistic cattle trading—reported that 15 of 111 recently purchased 12-month-old Angus heifers (average weight 300 kg) were "lame and tucked up". The producer initially consulted a private veterinarian who received video footage (Videos 1 and 2) showing affected animals with bilateral hindlimb stiffness. The private veterinarian subsequently discussed the case with the Local Land Services District Veterinarian (the author) and the case was then referred for further investigation.

Video 1. Affected animal with hindlimb stiffness

Video 2. Affected animal with hindlimb anf forelimb stiffness

At the time of reporting, the cattle had arrived 24 hours earlier, following a 12-hour road journey from the Ballarat and Myrtleford saleyards in Victoria. They had been transported the day after purchase, arriving in the evening. On arrival, they were unloaded without incident, provided with clean water and good-quality hay and held in a large holding yard overnight. No clinical signs of disease were observed during unloading. However, lameness and stiffness were noted the following afternoon during routine inspection.

Six days post-arrival, the affected heifers were examined by the author in the yards. According to the producer, clinical signs had remained unchanged and no additional animals in the mob had developed clinical signs. Affected heifers were alert and grazing but showed varying degrees of bilateral hindlimb stiffness and rigidity through the caudal spine. A small number also exhibited forelimb stiffness or unilateral lameness. One heifer was recumbent and rose with difficulty when approached.

Six of the more severely affected animals were further examined in the crush. All had elevated rectal temperatures (range 39.5°C to 40.2°C). Lung sounds were normal, there was no joint swelling and the feet appeared normal. None displayed signs of depression or other evidence of systemic illness.

Laboratory findings

Blood samples from four animals were submitted to the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories, Menangle, for diagnostic testing. Three of the four samples showed low glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity (4, 12 and 22 U/g Hb; reference range 40-300 U/g Hb), consistent with selenium deficiency.

Mild elevations in creatine kinase were present in three animals and all four showed mild to moderate elevations in haptoglobin, indicative of inflammation. Based on these findings, a presumptive diagnosis of nutritional muscular dystrophy was made, with transport-associated myopathy considered a contributing factor.

Discussion

Suspecting NMD, treatment advice was provided at the time of the visit and included immediate administration of available injectable vitamins A, D and E to the clinically affected animals. A selenium-containing injectable preparation, such as Multimin®, was also recommended for both affected animals and unaffected animals in the mob.

Two days after treatment with vitamins A, D and E, the producer reported marked improvement in most animals, although four heifers remained mildly stiff. One severely affected animal deteriorated over the subsequent fortnight and died. A further four animals progressively lost condition and died between four- and six-weeks post-arrival. Overall, the mob failed to grow as expected, recording an average weight loss of 50 kg when weighed three months after arrival. This weight loss may have been due to the stress of adapting from the cooler Victorian climate to the mid-summer conditions of north-western New South Wales. By six months post-arrival, the mob had regained the lost weight and was growing as expected.

The individual NLIS devices of the sampled animals were recorded at the property visit. Tracing revealed these four cattle originated from three Property Identification Codes (PICs) in Victoria—two near Myrtleford and one near Ballarat. Both regions are recognised as selenium-deficient¹ and a local news report confirmed strong spring pasture growth in the Myrtleford area, which is known to increase the risk of selenium deficiency in rapidly growing young stock².

The length of travel and exposure to multiple stressors likely contributed to the outbreak. Although the origin PICs were within short trucking distance of the saleyards, it is probable that animals were mustered and trucked the day before sale, processed through the saleyard the following day, and then trucked for over 12 hours the next day. Examination of Bureau of Meteorology weather records for the travel route revealed no rainfall or cold conditions that may have compounded transport stress³.

In the author's experience, cattle grazing the black clay soils of north-western New South Wales do not experience selenium deficiency. Routine monitoring and diagnostic testing consistently yield high GSH-Px levels and selenium-responsive conditions have not previously been observed. Consequently, NMD is not a condition familiar to local producers, nor is it commonly included in differential diagnoses for acute lameness. In this case, consultation with District Veterinarian colleagues more familiar with NMD was invaluable.

This case highlights the importance of considering trace mineral deficiencies in cattle moved across regions with differing soil and pasture profiles. NMD should be included as a differential diagnosis in young cattle exhibiting post-transport stiffness or lameness, particularly when sourced from known selenium-deficient areas and subjected to long-distance travel and saleyard handling. Use of NLIS tracing and regional deficiency mapping can assist in assessing the likelihood of NMD. Prompt supplementation with vitamin E and injectable selenium may prevent further morbidity and aid in recovery of affected animals.

Acknowledgements

The author thanks District Veterinarian colleagues for their assistance and advice regarding the presentation of NMD cases.

References

Hosking WJ, Caple IW, Halpin CG, Brown AJ, Paynter DI, Conley DN and North-Coombes PL (1986) Selenium In: Trace elements for pastures and animals in Victoria. Melbourne (Australia): Victorian Government Printing Office on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; 1986 Jan 1. Chapter 4, p. 20-6. ISBN: 0724183337
Morgan P (2024) Auction for Alpine bovines. North East Farmer 2024 Dec 20
Bureau of Meteorology. Weather observations for Victoria, Walgett and travel route locations [Internet]. Canberra (Australia): Australian Government; 2024 [cited 2025 Jan 7]. Available from: www.bom.gov.au