Subclinical ketosis as a metabolic disorder of dairy cows in peripartum, early lactation, and mid-lactation

Abstract

Ketosis is a metabolic imbalance that decreases production, reduces fertility, and predisposes dairy cows to other diseases. With the objective of determining the frequency of occurrence of subclinical ketosis, 52 dairy cows were studied during three productive stages (13 in peripartum, 17 in early lactation and 22 in mid-lactation); Using colorimetric strips (Jorvet URS1k^®️), measurements of ketone bodies in urine were carried out. Cows that had a concentration of less than 5 mg of ketone bodies per deciliter (dl) were considered negative. The positive cases were classified as mild (between 5 mg·dl^-1 and 50 mg·dl^-1) and severe (between 51 mg·dl^-1 and 150 mg·dl^-1), considering the productive stage, body condition and number of births. A prevalence of 27% was FOUND and it was determined that mid-lactation is the stage with the most positive cases. Positive cases correspond to primary ketosis, because, in the postpartum stage and beginning of lactation, the cows have a negative energy balance (BEN), which makes them susceptible to developing the disease. The proportion of severe cases was similar in the early and mid-lactation stages. All severe cases were found in cows of at least three calvings with body condition between 3 and 3.7. No clear link was determined between the number of births and mild and severe cases of subclinical ketosis. The prevalence of subclinical ketosis is low in relation to others reported in the region and is influenced by risk factors such as the productive stage (peripartum, early lactation and mid-lactation), number of births and body condition of the animals, because of a higher concentration of ketone bodies due to negative energy balance.