Bovine ketosis , also known as acetonuria, hypoglycemia and acetonomia, is a metabolic disease that affects high-producing animals, especially dairy cows.
The problem usually occurs during the transition period , in which the cow goes through several metabolic and hormonal changes. This disease causes major impacts on productivity and reproduction on farms, considerably reducing milk production. In addition, there is a gradual increase in health costs.
Want to know more about this disease? Read the article below and discover the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention of bovine ketosis!
What is bovine ketosis?
Ketosis is one of the main metabolic diseases of dairy cows and usually affects high-producing animals in the postpartum period . It happens when there is an excess in the production and concentration of ketone bodies in the bloodstream due to a greater energy requirement for milk production.
The high demand for energy at a time of reduced consumption and scarcity of glucose causes an imbalance called negative energy balance .
In primary ketosis, this deficit occurs mostly during the transition period, in which the animal goes from non-lactating pregnant to non-pregnant lactating, at which time drastic changes occur in its metabolism.
In cases of secondary ketosis , as the name implies, this sharp drop in appetite occurs secondary to other illnesses. The cow then starts to mobilize adipose tissue in order to obtain an alternative source of energy and, as a consequence, there is an increase in serum levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in the blood.
What are the symptoms of ketosis?
Ketosis can present in clinical and subclinical form .
In clinical ketosis there is loss of body score, anorexia, prostration and a drop in milk production. In addition, dry stool and a ketone odor in exhaled air may be commonly observed.
In some cases, the clinical picture may evolve with nervous signs such as muscle tremors, hyperexcitability and incoordination with ataxia of the hind limbs.
In cases of subclinical ketosis , the levels of ketone bodies in the blood and milk will be increased even without the presentation of clinical symptoms. In this sense, a serum concentration equal to or greater than 1.2 mmol/L of beta-hydroxybutyrate is already an indication of subclinical ketosis.
Subclinical ketosis generates great productive and economic impacts on the farm, this disease contributes to a reduction in the immunity of animals and also causes drastic changes in the hormonal profile of the cow.
These factors can cause anything from reduced weight and fertility in animals to secondary illnesses.
What are the causes of bovine ketosis?
Nutritional management is a key factor in the development of the disease. Unbalanced diets and poor management can encourage people to eat less, which can lead to ketosis. The disease can also be caused by heat stress and environmental conditions.
In addition, other metabolic and non-metabolic disorders during the transition period, such as hoof problems , may induce a reduction in feed intake, increasing the animal's predisposition to ketosis.
ketosis treatment
The treatment of the clinical form of the disease is symptomatic , so it is important to reverse the hypoglycemic condition with the administration of intravenous glucose – oral glucose should be avoided, as it is rapidly fermented in the rumen, producing ketogenic precursors, which would aggravate the problem .
In addition, monitoring ketosis can help in the prophylactic treatment of subclinical conditions, for which it is enough to measure BHBA (beta-hydroxybutyrate) levels
This monitoring can be performed using appropriate meters for this purpose, applying a blood sample collected from the animals' tails.
In situations of mild or moderate ketosis, we must offer high amounts of energy, such as propylene glycol, in order to avoid the mobilization of fat in the cows.
The use of drench in recently calved cows can be a good option, this forced oral administration of nutrients ( drench ), minimizes energy deficiency, rehydrates the animal and stimulates ruminal fermentation.
Bovine ketosis prevention
Before drying animals, proper nutrition prevents ketosis.
Thus, high-quality forages and palatability-enhanced concentrates increase nutrient intake and reduce body reserves.
Ionophores—especially sodium monensin—improve ruminal efficiency and prevent disease. B-complex vitamins may also reduce early lactation body fat mobilisation and negative energy balance, preventing metabolic diseases.
Fat protected with calcium salts can increase dry matter energy density and reduce negative energy balance without compromising fibre intake.
The optimal body condition score (ECC) at parturition is between 3.0 and 3.50, which can help prevent disease and assess the cow's body fat coverage (on a scale ranging from 1-5).
Finally, a comfortable, clean environment with a mild temperature helps reduce the disease on the farm because cows that don't experience thermal stress during the dry period use liver function better during lactation.
conclusion
Prevention is always the best option, so remember: balanced nutritional management is the key to reducing the occurrence of ketosis on your farm.
