Ketosis- Monitoring, preventing and treatingPart II- Hot Topic in Cold Winter

Ketosis as discussed earlier is a condition that goes highly un-diagnosed or unnoticed on dairies. Since the cost of this condition is very high due to compounding problems of milk loss and reproductive and health failures, actually monitoring it can add to the bottom line of your business.

Testing for Ketosis : The basic idea for monitoring is to test for levels of ketone bodies in the fluids like blood, milk and urine and determine the plan for prevention or treatment based on that. Excess ketone are produced by liver in response to excess fat mobilization. The circulating ketones are acetone, acetoacetate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA). They are found in all body fluids including urine, blood, and milk. The predominant ketone in cows is BHBA. The gold standard for testing is considered the BHBA testing in blood by lab. But this is costly and inconvenient and time consuming as well. Fortunately there are cow side testing methods, some of which are pretty dependable. Theses are discussed below:

Milk Tests: There are majority two types of these where milk sample is tested for ketone bodies. The first measures Acetone and Acetoacetate levels in milk and commonly known as Keto-check. Most of the times a positive result confirms ketosis but the test is highly insensitive and the poor sensitivity may cost money and yield no results. You may miss many potentially problem animals. There is another milk test known as Keto-Test which measures milk BHBA. This one is more specific and sensitive. Plan with your Nutritionist/Vet if they feel that this test may be part of your herd monitoring.

Urine Tests: This test measure Acetone and Acetoacetate. But there are reported a high number of false positive results. Bayer has this test by name of Ketostix.  Ketostix test has comparable test performance to that of the Keto-Test, provided that the test is interpreted within 5 to 10 seconds following contact with urine. Plan with your Nutritionist/Vet if they feel that this test may be part of your herd monitoring.

Blood Tests: Abbott Laboratories manufactures a glucometer for use in humans called Precision Xtra. It also takes ketone strips for measuring BHBA. Several researchers have evaluated this test and found it highly accurate for testing dairy cow blood. In a monitoring program, a cow that is tested at or above 1.4 mmol/L BHBA in blood is considered to be positive. Plan with your Nutritionist/Vet if they feel that this test may be part of your herd monitoring.

Other Monitors: There are some more indicators of likely ketosis, which are as follows:

• More than 5% DA incidence.
• Fresh cows having milk protein/Fat ratio over 0.75.
• Close up cows having BCS>3.5.

These all can be warning signals and the animals can be put in active watch, treatment/support group, actively testing and designing a support program.

Prevention and Supportive Treatment: 

1. Most important step shall be improving the Dry matter intake and designing specific diets for each phase especially Transition phases of close up dry cows and Fresh cows. Controlled energy high Intake diets in Close up period have been specifically successful in many of the research studies.
2. Monensin Sodium fed to cows during early lactation and/or during the Close up period reduces the incidence of ketosis and fatty liver. It alters rumen microbe populations such that more propionate is produced. Increased supplies of this glucose precursor help decrease the incidence and/or severity of ketosis.
3. Niacin at a dose of 6-12 mg throughout the Transition period has proved helpful in a high percentage of studies.
4. Glucose precursors like Calcium Propionate and Propylene Glycol for fresh cows have been part of successful strategies.
5. Feeding Rumen protected Choline has been a successful strategy in Transition period and is especially helpful in overconditioned cows.
6. For treatment purpose, Dextrose, Insulin in some cases and glucose precursors have been helpful but choice of treatment is totally dependent upon Veterinarian's decision.