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The symptoms and treatment of ketosis in cows are varied. They depend on the form and severity of the disease. This pathology is associated with indigestion and metabolic disorders in the cow’s body.
What is ketosis in cows
Ketosis (acetonemia) of cows is a non-contagious disease characterized by a profound disturbance of metabolic processes in the animal’s body, which is accompanied by the accumulation of ketone bodies in the blood, urine and milk, as well as a decrease in blood sugar.
Ketones are formed due to the accumulation in the stomach of products with incomplete breakdown of proteins and carbohydrates. This causes too slow absorption of ammonia. As a result, butyric and acetic acids are formed, from which acetone, acetoacetic and beta-hydroxybutyric acid are then obtained. These substances pose a threat to health.
As a rule, cows aged 3 to 7 years with high milk production are most susceptible to ketosis. Most often, the disease develops 1-2 months after calving, since a lot of energy is expended during gestation.
Acetonemia of dairy cows brings significant economic damage to owners, because as a result of the disease, milk yields are sharply reduced, the reproductive function of cattle is disrupted, animals lose body weight, and their life span is reduced. The mortality of calves from a ketotic cow is almost 100%, since ketone bodies are able to cross the placenta and adversely affect the development of the fetus.
Causes of Ketosis in Cows
The reasons for the development of ketosis in dairy cows are diverse, but almost all come down to the neglect of the basic norms of feeding on the part of the owners. The fact is that before the start of lactation, the body undergoes hormonal changes. Milk production requires more energy and protein. The body strives to synthesize milk in order to feed the calves, and for this the cow needs a lot of food. But since the scar presses on the uterus, the animal cannot fully eat. Despite sufficient protein intake to produce milk, there is not enough energy. Enrichment of feed with calories using concentrates leads to indigestion, acidosis and lack of chewing gum.
You can often hear the advice to saturate the feed with sugars, however, uncontrolled feeding, not calculated by percentage, can lead to aggravation of the animal’s health. After all, in order to provide the body with calories, adipose tissue begins to be consumed.
The main, most important reasons for the development of pathology include:
- Poor feeding of dairy cows with energy feeds is a lack of carbohydrates and some trace elements in the diet. Violation of the energy balance before and after calving, when the cow especially needs a balanced diet. This also includes a rapid transition from one type of feeding to another, which leads to a violation of the microflora in some parts of the stomach and loss of energy.
- General imbalance in the diet. The most important is the correct ratio between proteins and carbohydrates in feed, as well as between easily and difficultly digestible carbohydrates, since this balance affects the digestion processes and the ratio of breakdown products.
- The presence in the diet of cows of feed with a high content of ketones. We are talking about low-quality silage, haylage and other feed with signs of decay. Spoiled feed is detrimental to the digestive system and can contribute to the development of diseases such as cow ketosis.
An important role in the development of ketosis is played by the hereditary factor. It has been noted that black-and-white cows are most susceptible to metabolic diseases, including ketosis. Whereas a cross between cows and bulls of the Jersey breed is resistant to metabolic disorders.
Sometimes ketosis develops due to dysfunction of the pituitary and adrenal glands. Violations of this kind occur due to too active work of the pituitary gland during lactation. However, lack of exercise, unbalanced nutrition, poor living conditions can contribute to this.
Symptoms of Ketosis in Cattle
Ketosis can have several variants of the course:
- in the acute course of ketosis, the cow is overexcited, she has signs of a nervous breakdown – trembling in some muscles, spasms, which are replaced by weakness, paresis of the hind limbs, the animal may fall into a coma, milk with a clear taste of acetone;
- with a subacute course, milk disappears, disturbances occur in the work of the digestive system of the animal;
- after the transition of the disease to a chronic form, reproductive dysfunction is observed, the cow does not go into heat, infertility develops, milk yield decreases by 50%, in some cases agalactia (complete lack of milk) may occur.
Ketosis cows also has several forms of manifestation:
- subclinical;
- clinical.
Subclinical ketosis in cows is the most common. As a rule, diseased animals are detected during a routine medical examination when taking a urine and blood test from a cow for ketosis. With this form, milk production drops by 3-4 kg on average. There are also disturbances in the functioning of the scar, problems with chewing gum and a slight decrease in appetite, its perversion (the animal begins to chew on the litter).
The clinical form of ketosis has an acute or chronic course. The animal has more pronounced symptoms: appetite and chewing gum disappear, the elasticity of the skin decreases, the coat is ruffled, the mucous membranes are yellow, the liver is enlarged, painful on palpation. Animals prefer to lie down, and when moving they shake. When analyzing milk, ketone bodies are detected. Exhaled air and urine smells like acetone.
In the case histories of ketosis in cattle, a diverse clinical picture is noted. It is due to severe syndromes. With a neurotic syndrome, the nervous system of the animal suffers more. Gastroenteric syndrome is characterized by liver dysfunction. With acetonemic syndrome, changes occur in the heart and kidneys. In the blood and urine, the level of ketone bodies rises.
Diagnosis of acetonemia in cows
At the slightest suspicion of ketosis and acidosis (violation of the acid-base balance) in cows, a series of laboratory tests of urine, blood, milk should be carried out to detect acetone bodies using a special Roser reagent. Often they resort to the Lestrade test when a dry reagent is used for diagnosis.
After collecting the clinical signs of the disease, analyzing laboratory tests, carefully examining the animal and receiving information from the owner regarding the conditions of detention, feeding ration, the specialist makes a diagnosis and prescribes therapy.
How to treat ketosis in cows
Ketosis in cows can be treated at home, but you need to follow the recommendations of the veterinarian.
Initially, the veterinarian determines the cause of the disease, prescribes a treatment regimen.
First of all, when in ketosis, it is important to adjust the diet. To do this, add all the necessary elements, and in a competent percentage, taking into account the needs of the diseased individual:
- foods with a high protein content reduce;
- monitor the quality of hay and green fodder;
- from vegetables in the diet include beets, potatoes, turnips, carrots;
- Mineral supplements, vitamins, table salt should be present in the feed.
For a quick recovery of the cow’s body, active exercise, sunbathing, skin massage to improve blood circulation will be required.
Medical therapy should normalize the cow’s blood sugar levels and restore rumen function. To start the metabolism and replenish energy in the body, glucose is prescribed.
Injections show the following:
- novocaine with glucose;
- sodium bicarbonate solution to eliminate acidosis;
- according to the Sharabrin-Shakhamanov method, mixtures A and B are used inside the abdominal cavity, 1,5-2 liters each;
- hormonal preparations to restore the endocrine system and the reproductive function of the cow’s body.
Experts consider propylene glycol solution, which is administered through a probe for several days, sodium lactate in the amount of 400-500 g, as well as a mixture of calcium lactate and sodium lactate in equal parts, also for 2-3 days, to be an effective tool in the treatment of ketosis.
Consequences of ketosis in cows
For a healthy individual, ketone bodies are necessary to replenish energy in the body, but by causing the development of ketosis, they trigger pathological processes in the cow’s body. Sometimes diseases such as ketosis end in the case of cattle.
The consequences of ketosis include weight loss, sometimes up to 40%, chronic diseases of the reproductive system. The reproductive function of a sick cow is reduced by 70%, and the offspring is completely born unviable. In addition, the life of the cow itself is reduced to 3 years. For a farmer, the diagnosis of acetonemia means great economic losses.
Prevention of acetonemia in cattle
As a prevention of ketosis, regular active walks, grazing on quality pastures, balanced in the correct percentage of feed are shown. In the diet of each cow, vitamin supplements, microelements, root crops must be present without fail, which are able to well cleanse the gastrointestinal tract from waste products of the body.
It is necessary to review the diet of pregnant cows, as they are in dire need of cereals, molasses, feed fats. Avoid stressful situations in cows.
As a preventive measure, veterinarians recommend adding sodium propionate to feed.
It is also important to carefully monitor the livestock in order to timely detect the first signs of ketosis and cure the disease.
Conclusion
Symptoms and treatment of ketosis in cows depend on the severity of the disease, as well as on comorbidities that develop in parallel with the underlying disease. It is important for the owner to recognize the signs in time and invite an experienced specialist who is able to make a diagnosis based on clinical and laboratory studies, as well as prescribe the correct treatment regimen. Ketosis is a disease, the treatment of which requires an individual approach depending on the course of the disease. The outcome will depend on the severity of the disease, subsequent therapy and the endurance of the animal.