Cause
a. Not every stiff or weak kid is affected with WMD ... differentiate from other conditions:
  - Vibriosis
  - Polyarthritis
  - Enterotoxemia
  - Rickets
b. Mortality rate is high in kids born with WMD.
c. The delayed (or acquired type) may be corrected more easily. This type has nutritional basis (Selenium-Vitamin E deficiency) and is often triggered by vigorous exercise.
d. Kids affected by WMD
  - move slowly... are in pain
  - their backs are arched
  - may be down, as paralyzed
  - may not nurse and starve out
e. When the heart muscle is severely damaged, death may be sudden.

Treatment
a. Affected kids should be given injections of sodium selenite - vitamin E. In aqueous solution such as Bo-Se, dosage: newborn kids, 1cc Bo-Se; kids 2 weeks and older, 4cc of Bo-Se. Inject intramuscularly or subcutaneously.
b. Injection should be repeated every 12-14 days, but not to exceed 4 doses.
c. Maternal diet should be reevaluated. Recently cut, "good" hay (especially legumes) should provide a vitamin E source. If none is available, use Bo-Se or Mu-Se injections to provide does with Selenium and vitamin E.
d. The maternal ration may be supplemented with sodium selenite not to exceed 0.3 pp or available selenium.
e. Do not overdose with selenium, toxicity may occur.

Prevention
a. Dietary inclusion of recommended NRC levels of selenium and vitamin E.
b. Areas of flocks with past experience of WMD may consider injecting pregnant does with selenium-vitamin E preparations at least 4-8 weeks prior to kidding. Use Bo-Se at the rate of 1 1/2 cc/100lb.
c. The incidence of WMD may be reduced by incorporation wheat and linseed oil meal in rations of pregnant does.
d. May feed pellets containing 5 mf selenium and 350 IU vitamin E before kidding. These pellets are manufactured commercially; follow label instructions.

This article is used by permission and is part of:
Nutritional Effects on Goat Health
by Helen A. Swartz
State Sheep, Goat and Livestock Specialist
Lincoln University Cooperative Extension