Pathological detection of nutritional muscular dystrophy in dromedary camel calves in Palestine

Nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD) is a nutritional condition associated with selenium and/or vitamin E deficiency affecting several animal species. Selenium and vitamin E function together as antioxidants that protect cell membranes from oxidative damage. The current investigation was conducted in a herd of fifty-eight dromedary camels with an outbreak of NMD for the first time in Palestine with a mortality rate of 8.6%. Five calves died after several hours to a few days of the onset of clinical signs such as recumbency, stiffness, and muscle weakness. Necropsy was performed on three dead calves that were evaluated grossly and tissues were collected for histopathology. After the routine tissue processing, samples were stained with H&E and examined under the light microscope. The examined calves exhibited clinical symptoms as well as microscopic and gross lesions compatible with cardiac muscle necrosis and degeneration. The use of Vitamin E and Selenium therapy reduced clinical symptoms and terminated the mortality. The findings show that NMD occurs in Palestine in calves of camels. This study describes clinical and pathological findings related to the death of calves. Further research is needed to determine the prevalence and impact of this disease on the health of camel herds in Palestine.