Successful Treatment of Clinical Ketosis in Dairy Cattle

Year : 2025 | Volume : 14 | 02 | Page : –
    By

    Kanchan Walwadkar,

  • Apurv Kaushik,

  • Deeksha Yadav,

  • Dharna Jha,

  • Saurabh Banerjee,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India
  2. Assistant Professor, RPS College of Veterinary Science, Mahendergarh, Haryana, India
  3. Private Practitioner, Super Pets, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
  4. Private Practitioner, Super Pets, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
  5. Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Department of Livestock Development, Baikuntthpur, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

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Ketosis is a post-parturient metabolic disease encountered in high yielders due to imbalance in production and feeding leading to gluconeogenesis along with formation of abnormally high levels of ketone bodies. Ketosis is a common post-parturient metabolic disorder in high-yielding dairy cows, particularly within the first few weeks after calving. It arises due to a negative energy balance when energy demands for milk production exceed dietary energy intake, leading to excessive mobilization of body fat reserves and resulting in elevated ketone body production. The present report describes a clinical case of ketosis in a 5-year-old HF crossbred cow in its second lactation, approximately 3–4 weeks post-calving, maintained at a private dairy farm in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. The animal exhibited clinical signs such as progressive anorexia, selective feeding behavior with a refusal to consume concentrate feed, a significant decline in milk yield (from 18–20 liters/day to 12–14 liters/day), reduced ruminal motility, and firm, dry, mucous-coated feces. Upon clinical examination and laboratory evaluation, including a positive Rothera’s test and hypoglycemia (blood glucose: 30 mg/dL), a definitive diagnosis of clinical ketosis was established. Therapeutic management included administration of intravenous 25% dextrose solution, anabolic steroids, and supportive vitamin-mineral supplementation, resulting in noticeable clinical improvement within two days and restoration of normal appetite and milk yield by the fifth day. This case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and a multimodal therapeutic approach in the effective management of ketosis. Furthermore, it highlights the need for proper transition cow nutrition and monitoring during the periparturient period to prevent such metabolic disorders. The findings underscore the economic and productivity implications of ketosis in dairy herds and the value of practical treatment protocols.

Keywords: Ketosis, gluconeogenesis, ketone bodies, HF crossbred cattle

How to cite this article:
Kanchan Walwadkar, Apurv Kaushik, Deeksha Yadav, Dharna Jha, Saurabh Banerjee. Successful Treatment of Clinical Ketosis in Dairy Cattle. Research and Reviews : Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology. 2025; 14(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
Kanchan Walwadkar, Apurv Kaushik, Deeksha Yadav, Dharna Jha, Saurabh Banerjee. Successful Treatment of Clinical Ketosis in Dairy Cattle. Research and Reviews : Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology. 2025; 14(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjovst/article=2025/view=0


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 14
02
Received 21/02/2025
Accepted 10/05/2025
Published 13/05/2025
Publication Time 81 Days
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