White Muscle Disease
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Also known as Stiff lamb disease, characterised by myodegeneration. Disease is stress induced so the breakdown of muscle relies on increased muscle activity. Muscle degenerates due to a failure to control the free radicals produced by its metabolism upon contraction. Free radicals damage cellular membranes and proteins.
Muscle damage allows the release of:
- Potassium: can lead to heart failure.
- Myoglobin: can lead to renal failure.
- Creatine Kinase: useful to measure muscle damage.
Grossly the damaged muscle will contain white streaks.
The damage caused by Zenker degeneration is reversible if the sarcolemma remains intact.