16
—Lancaster Farming. Saturda
Ketosis is basically
Milk fever and ketosis (acetonemia) are the two most
important non-infectious diseases of dairy cattle, and both
are influenced to a large degree by the feeding program.
Milk fever was discussed in a previous column; this one
will try to establish a basic understanding of ketosis, to
build a foundation for future columns on developing a
practical feeding program.
Ketosis is a very complex problemone which has many
forms, multiple causes, variable and not always con
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iril 30. 1977
an energy problem
sistent signs, and unpredictable response to treatment.
Any attempt to simplify a description of such a complex
condition will require omission of a great deal of technical
and otherwise pertinent information, but in the interest of
understanding and practicality we will try to do so.
Acetonemia and ketosis are, for all practical purposes,
just two different names for the very same conditions. It
occurs worldwide and has long been a major problem of
dairy cows. Incidence per herd varies widely, ranging
from two to 20 per cent. Most of the cases occur between
one and six weeks post-calving, usually in the peak milk
producing years, although it can occur in first calf heifers
and older cows.
Clinical signs vary, the most predominant one usually
first noticed of just being “off feed”. Behavior changes
can occur early or late in the course of the disease, some
being so slight that only a farmer very familiar with the
individual cow is likely to notice them, while others may
be so extreme as to become uncoordinated or ramble and
charge without regard for obstacles or people in their
path. Between these extremes are excessive salivation
and constant licking or chewing on objects. One client’s
cow was diewing so vigorously on the water pipes and
water bowl he wasn’t sure which he should call first, the
plumber or the veterinarian. Depression of milk -
production is usually slight at first, but later may become
quite severe. There is also a characteristic Oder to the
milk and breath, an Oder much like acetone.
Ketosis is basically an energy problem. A cow requires
a certain amount of energy, primarily glucose or blood
sugar. Normal blood levels of glucose are about 40 to 50
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openings for capable and qualified
people with a dairy farm
background to work as a
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you are interested, please complete
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Mall to: Atlantic Breeden
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mg. per cent. Ketotic cows can have as little as half that
much. Al2OO pound cow will require about four pounds of
glucose per day just for normal body functions. If she is
milking about 50 pounds per day, requirements are about
six pounds of glucose. A cow milking 100 pounds per day is
going to require over eight pounds of glucose, much of
which is converted into lactose in the milk. It is easy.to see
why a cow is very susceptible to an energy imbalance at
the time of peak lactation.
Although glucose is the major energy supply in the
blood, just the lack of glucose itself does not produce all
the signs or conditions of acetonemia.
There are also substances in the bloodstream known as
ketone bodies or just ketones. They are a perfectly normal
substance and are used by many tissues, the blood level
usually ranging about two to four mg per cent. The
ketones themselves do not cause the problem but rather
excessive amounts of ketones. Ketotic cows will carry 40
to 50 mg per cent or even more. The ketone levels,«then, is
thebest indicator of the severity of the problem.
Where do the ketones come from? Excessive ketones
can come from feed, especially silage high in certain
acids. They are also produced in the mammary gland. But
the most important source of excessive ketones in clinical
ketosis is production of ketone bodies in the liver from
stored body fat.
Availability of glucose to the cow appears to be the
limiting factor of milk production without resorting to
stored fat. Once that limit is exceeded, the body will
mobilize stored fat into the bloodstream to obtain extra
energy at the risk of ketosis. The liver takes the cir
culating fat and converts it into ketones, while depositing
some of the fat within its own tissues making the liver
itself less efficient and more prone to problems.
Then the problem becomes a vicious cycle. As ketones
in the blood increase, the cow goes off feed, more fat is
needed to maintain production, more ketones are
produced, and the Condition gets worse until milk
production suffers sufficiently to lessen the energy
requirement.
Ketosis may be primary, more energy required than
that provided; or secondary, off feed for some other
problem (displaced abomasum, hardware, etc.) and
concurrent development of ketosis.
The list of treatments for acetonemia is long, suggesting
that several things may be helpful and that no single
treatment will cure ai! affected cows. Some ketotic cows
will recover with no treatment, while others appear to not"
improve regardless of the treatment. In these cases the
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Dairy Farm Experience
(Continued on Page 22(
15H120
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GAY Ideal
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