Ketosis of Cattle

Ketosis

Also known as:

Acetonemia Ketonemia

See also:

Ketosis

Signalment

Occurs in high yielding dairy cows a few weeks postpartum.

Diagnosis

Can often

Clinical Signs

Reduced feed intake is often the first clinical sign to be noted. Cows often refuse grain before forage. Other signs include decreased milk yield, lethargy and an “empty” appearing abdomen. Rumen motility is variable, but often hypoactive following reduced intake. Rarely central Nervous System disturbances present in a minority of cases and include incoordination, agression excesssive licking and chewing and occassionally bellowing.

• due to excessive loss of glucose in the milk
• milk yield drops
• smell of ketones on the breath
• ketones excreted in the milk
• self-limiting condition