Clinical Ketosis In Lactating Dairy Cows And Its Therapeutic Management

Ketosis is a state of hyperketonemia that runs in lactating dairy cows resulting in significant drop in milk yield. This condition arises due to heavy demand for glucose in lactation period resulting in hypoglycemia and acute energy crisis. In this study, 6 cases of lactating cows with clinical ketosis were treated. There was a sharp drop in milk yield and rapid loss of body condition. Urine and milk were positive for ketone bodies detected by Rothera's test. Blood glucose levels were markedly lower. The cows were treated with parenteral 50% dextrose solution to meet energy crisis. Propylene glycol @ 300gm for three days was orally fed as a gluconeogenic precursor. Cyanocobalamin was administered as a supportive therapy. Absolute clinical recovery was achieved in all cases.