Generalized steatitis associated with selenium deficiency and normal vitamin E status in a foal.

A 7-month-old male Quarter Horse was examined because of severe cachexia, which had begun 2 months earlier. The foal was emaciated and weak despite an excellent appetite. Percutaneous biopsy revealed multiple areas of subcutaneous steatitis with mineralization. Radiography demonstrated calcification of the nuchal ligament. The foal died 9 days after admission. Necropsy revealed mineralized lesions throughout the fascial planes and adipose tissues of the thorax, abdomen, and skeletal muscles, with little to no involvement of muscular tissue. Serum magnesium, copper, and thyroxine concentrations were slightly lower than normal. The serum selenium concentration was unusually low. Renal selenium content was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than that in similarly prepared sections of kidneys from 3 clinically normal ponies. Low dietary selenium intake was suspected as the cause of the problem.