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Ketosis: The Most Critical Metabolic Disease in Dairy Cows

Liepa

Fresh cows are like athletes running a marathon right after calving. If they can’t eat enough to match the huge energy demand their bodies burn fat. This releases ketones. A little is fine but too much causes ketosis

The danger
Subclinical ketosis is hidden, no obvious signs but it raises the risk of displaced abomasum infections lower milk yield and fertility issues. Clinical ketosis shows up as less milk loss of appetite weight loss and even behaviour changes

Why it happens
It usually starts when dry cows calve in too fat and then eat less early in lactation. Energy needs are high fat mobilises quickly the liver gets overloaded and ketones spike

Prevention
Start mid lactation by managing body condition. At calving feed high quality forage balanced concentrates and keep dry matter intake up.

Support tools like EW Nutrition’s Ket o Vital bolus can help with fast energy plus cobalt selenium niacin and active yeast to protect the liver and support appetite

Bottom line
Stay ahead of ketosis. Good nutrition before and after calving plus targeted supplements keep cows healthy producing well and profitable

Did any of you ever encounter ketosis and if so what are some tips you would give to others going the same route?

Parents

  • Had a run-in with ketosis in a few fresh cows earlier this season. I noticed some cows dropping in milk and acting off — sure enough, tests showed elevated ketones.

    Here’s what worked for me:

    • Caught it early thanks to fresh cow monitoring in the robot reports (milk yield + rumination dips).
    • Treated affected cows with propylene glycol drench for 3–5 days.
    • Checked ration with my nutritionist — bumped energy for fresh group, kept it consistent to avoid sorting.
    • Made sure transition cows weren’t over-conditioned going into calving.

    Since then, I’ve seen a big drop in cases. The key for me was watching fresh cow data closely and reacting fast. Prevention’s still the best cure!

Comment

  • Had a run-in with ketosis in a few fresh cows earlier this season. I noticed some cows dropping in milk and acting off — sure enough, tests showed elevated ketones.

    Here’s what worked for me:

    • Caught it early thanks to fresh cow monitoring in the robot reports (milk yield + rumination dips).
    • Treated affected cows with propylene glycol drench for 3–5 days.
    • Checked ration with my nutritionist — bumped energy for fresh group, kept it consistent to avoid sorting.
    • Made sure transition cows weren’t over-conditioned going into calving.

    Since then, I’ve seen a big drop in cases. The key for me was watching fresh cow data closely and reacting fast. Prevention’s still the best cure!

Children
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