Fatty Liver Syndrome



Intended to refer to cattle. See Hyperlipaemia - Horse, Hyperlipaemia - Donkey, White Liver Disease - Ovine, Pregnancy Toxaemia and Hepatic Lipidosis(cat and dog) for similar syndromes in other species.

All of this text is moved from Hepatic Lipidosis:

Bovine

  • fat cow syndrome (extreme form of fatty liver)
  • occurs in well-fed dairy cows a few days postpartum
  • an excessive accumulation of liver fat without being able to export it from the liver (during late dry period and early lactation)
  • amount of fat deposited influenced by:
    • Body Condition Score (how fat the cow is)
    • Milk Yield (energy requirement)
    • Appetite (low in fat cows)
  • triggered by various conditions:
    • abomasal displacement
    • mastitis
    • metritis
    • retained placenta
  • can be fatal due to liver failure (up to 25% has been reported)
Clinical
  • cow is sick
  • poor appetite
  • excessive weight loss
  • downer
  • high incidence of post parturient disease
Gross
  • fat infiltration of liver
  • enlarged
  • rounded edges
  • pale yellow colour
  • friable

NB: will also get fat infiltration of liver in cows which have not been eating for several days so interpret carefully

Prevention
  • dry off cows at correct BCS (up to 3.5)
  • do not adjust BCS during dry period
  • do not starve fat dry cows
  • maintain appetite over late dry and calving period to prevent excessive weight loss and fat mobilisation
  • use transistion diet