Sudden death associated with myocardial contraction band necrosis in Boer goat kids

Parenteral selenium (Se) and vitamin E (Vit E) were administered to all newborn kids at a Boer goat farm where there was previous high neonatal mortality assumed to be due to nutritional myopathy. All treated kids were affected by severe respiratory distress and died within 8 hours of Se/Vit E administration. Gross lesions included severe pulmonary edema, hydrothorax, and hydropericardium. The primary histopathologic finding was severe, acute, and monophasic myocardial contraction band necrosis. The diagnosis was accidental acute selenosis based on trace mineral analysis of the liver. This case highlights an important differential diagnosis in cases of acute myocardial contraction band necrosis and sudden death in goats and emphasizes the need for caution when administering parenteral Se/Vit E preparations.