Content
Symptoms and treatments for 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) in cows is a non-contagious disease characterized by profound metabolic disorders 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 of foods in the stomach, with incomplete breakdown of proteins and carbohydrates. This causes the ammonia to be absorbed too slowly. As a result, butyric and acetic acids are formed, from which acetone, acetoacetic and beta-hydroxybutyric acid are then obtained. It is these substances that pose a threat to health.
As a rule, cows are most susceptible to ketosis between the ages of 3 and 7 years with high milk production. 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 the 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 rate of calves from a ketotic cow is almost 100%, since ketone bodies are able to cross the placenta and negatively affect fetal development.
Causes of ketosis in cows
The reasons for the development of ketosis in dairy cows are varied, but almost all boil down to neglect of basic feeding norms on the part of the owners. The fact is that before lactation begins, the body undergoes hormonal changes. Milk production requires more energy and protein. The body tries to synthesize milk 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 feed. Despite eating enough protein for milk production, energy is not enough. Enriching feed with calories using concentrates leads to indigestion, acidosis and lack of chewing gum.
Advice is often heard to saturate feeds with sugars, however, uncontrolled feeding that is not calculated as a percentage can lead to an aggravation of the animal's health. Indeed, 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 feed is a lack of carbohydrates and some microelements in the diet. Energy imbalance before and after calving, when the cow especially needs a balanced diet. This also includes the rapid transition from one type of feeding to another, which leads to disruption of microflora in some parts of the stomach and loss of energy.
- General imbalance in the diet. Most important is the correct ratio between protein and carbohydrates in feed, as well as between easily and difficult-to-digest carbohydrates, as this balance influences the processes of digestion and the ratio of decay products.
- The presence of feeds with a high content of ketones in the diet of cows. We are talking about poor quality silage, haylage and other forage with signs of rotting. Spoiled food is harmful to the digestive system and can contribute to the development of diseases such as ketosis in cows.
The hereditary factor also plays an important role in the development of ketosis. It has been noticed that black-and-white cows are most susceptible to metabolic diseases, including ketosis. Whereas a cross between cows and Jersey bulls 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, this may be facilitated by the lack of exercise, unbalanced nutrition, and poor living conditions.
Symptoms of Ketosis in Cattle
Ketosis can have several options for the course:
- in the acute course of ketosis, the cow is overexcited, she has signs of a nervous disorder - tremors 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 in the work of the animal's digestive system occur;
- after the transition of the disease to a chronic form, reproductive disorders are observed, the cow does not enter the hunt, infertility develops, milk yield decreases by 50%, in some cases agalactia may occur (complete absence of milk).
Ketosis in cows also has several forms of manifestation:
- subclinical;
- clinical.
Subclinical ketosis in cows is most common. As a rule, sick animals are detected during routine clinical 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. Also, there are disturbances in the work of the rumen, problems with chewing gum and a slight weakening of appetite, its perversion (the animal begins to chew on the litter).
The clinical form of ketosis is acute or chronic. The animal has more pronounced symptoms: appetite and chewing gum disappear, the elasticity of the skin decreases, the coat is tousled, the mucous membranes are yellow, the liver is enlarged, painful on palpation. Animals prefer to lie down, and when they move, they wiggle. When milk is analyzed, ketone bodies are found. Exhaled air and urine smells like acetone.
In the case histories of ketosis in cattle, a varied clinical picture is noted. It is due to severe syndromes. With neurotic syndrome, the nervous system of the animal suffers more. Gastroenteric syndrome is characterized by liver dysfunction. With acetone syndrome, changes occur in the heart and kidneys. The level of ketone bodies in the blood and urine rises.
Diagnosis of acetonemia in cows
At the slightest suspicion of ketosis and acidosis (violation of acid-base balance) in cows, a number of laboratory tests of urine, blood, milk should be carried out to identify acetone bodies using a special Roser reagent. The Lestrade test is often used when a dry reagent is used for diagnosis.
After collecting clinical signs of the disease, analyzing laboratory tests, carefully examining the animal and receiving information from the owner regarding the conditions of detention, the feeding diet, the specialist makes a diagnosis and prescribes therapy.
How to treat ketosis in cows
Ketosis in cows can be treated at home, but the recommendations of your veterinarian must be followed.
Initially, the veterinarian determines the cause of the disease, prescribes a treatment regimen.
First of all, it is important to adjust your diet in ketosis.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 forage;
- from vegetables in the diet include beets, potatoes, turnips, carrots;
- the feed must contain mineral additives, vitamins, table salt.
For a quick recovery of the cow's body, active exercise, sunbathing, and skin massage will be required to improve blood circulation.
Medical therapy should normalize the cow's blood sugar and restore rumen function. To start metabolism and replenish energy in the body, glucose is prescribed.
From the injections the following is shown:
- novocaine with glucose;
- sodium bicarbonate solution to eliminate acidosis;
- according to the Sharabrin-Shahamanov method, mixtures A and B are used inside the abdominal cavity, 1.5-2 liters each;
- hormonal preparations for the restoration of the endocrine system and the reproductive function of the cow's body.
Experts consider a propylene glycol solution, which is injected through a probe for several days, sodium lactate in an amount of 400-500 g, as well as a mixture of calcium lactate with sodium lactate in equal parts, also for 2-3 days, to be an effective remedy in the treatment of ketosis.
Effects of ketosis in cows
For a healthy individual, ketone bodies are necessary to replenish energy in the body, but, causing the development of ketosis, they trigger pathological processes in the cow's body. Sometimes diseases such as ketosis end in the death 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 are even born unviable. In addition, the life of the cow itself is reduced to 3 years. For the farmer, the diagnosis of acetonemia means a large economic loss.
Prevention of acetonemia in cattle
As a prophylaxis of ketosis, regular active walks, grazing on high-quality pastures, balanced in the correct percentage of feed, are shown. The diet of each cow must necessarily contain vitamin supplements, trace elements, root crops, which are able to well cleanse the gastrointestinal tract from body waste.
It is necessary to revise the diet of pregnant cows, as they are in dire need of cereals, molasses, fodder fats. Stressful situations in cows should be excluded.
As a medicinal prophylaxis, veterinarians recommend adding sodium propionate to feed.
It is also important to closely 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 can 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, the subsequent therapy, and the stamina of the animal.
