Metabolic Diseases

Ketosis at the dry period

Israel, commercial dairy, May – June 2003



At this case, the Ketosis was discovered by the system at the dry period, 10 days before the calving day.
In general, The Rumination patterns of the cow are very unstable during the dryness (rumen PH) signs to unstable feeding and upcoming metabolic problems.
From the 8th of June the system kept alerting for 9 days shows continues reduction of Rumination time.
The vet checked the cow on the 13th and a strong Ketosis was found using the keto-stick, the cow was treat for Ketosis.
Following the Rumination rate saw no indication for improvement; the cow was not checked again until the calving day on the 17th, Rumination rate was a bit higher on that day.
Calving was normal with a life calf, the next days the Rumination rate started to reduced again until the day of the 20th of June when the cow suddenly collapsed during the milking time, few hours later on that day the cow had die at the dairy.

Conclusion:
Rumination patterns of the overall dry cows were unstable at that season in a daily term. More stable feeding program could prevent the present problem.
The cow should have checked by the vet earlier then 13th, after the treatment for Ketosis there was no improvement at the Rumination rate, it was obvious that Ketosis was not the only problem that the cow has. Reduction of the Rumination rate after calving was continues alarming until the cow die.
With more attention to the Rumination patterns it is very likely that this death could be prevented.

Post Calving Ketosis
Israel, commercial dairy, August – September 2003


The first 3 days after calving indicate irregularity Rumination patterns, the cow checked by the vet on the 11th of September, Ketosis was found and the cow was treated.

Conclusion:
The cow could be tread for Ketosis earlier according to Rumination patterns after calving. Milk loss could be prevented.


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