Controlling Ketosis

Question 1

What are the 3 types of ketosis? Who is affected and when are they usually seen?

Answer 1

Question 2

What history and clinical signs are associated with ketosis?

Answer 2

Clinical signs
Vague and non-specific

Relevant history
Recent calving (Type 2)
Peak lactation (Type 1)
Fed poor silage (Type 3)

Milk drop
BCS loss (Type 2)
Off feed

Question 3

What can we test to diagnose ketosis?

Answer 3

• ketone bodies (BHB)
  
  • blood
  • milk
  • urine
• NEFAs

Question 4

How can you treat ketosis?

Answer 4

• propylene glycol - gluconeogenic precursor
• dextrose
• glucocorticoids - Stimulate hyperglycaemia and inhibit insulin effects - also stimulates appetite
• vitamin B12

Question 5

What clinical signs are associated with pregnancy toxaemia?

Answer 5

Question 6

What causes pregnancy toxaemia?

Answer 6

• Energy demands of late pregnancy exceed supply - Sheep with multiple lambs at higher risk
• Clinically indistinguishable from hypocalcaemia in sheep - Often one will precipitate the other
• Off feed, dull and depressed, nervous signs (blindness), death
• Sporadic cases maybe caused by underlying disease (teeth/lameness)
• Outbreaks often triggered by change in management - especially diet (reduced DMI)

Question 7

How can you treat pregnancy toxaemia?

Answer 7

• Parenteral glucose - 5-7g glucose IV 6-8x daily recommended
• Supportive IV fluids - Hartmanns or saline
• Oral propylene glycol - 100mL once daily or 60 mL twice daily for 3 days & In milder cases can be very effective alone
• Supplement with calcium and potassium - Increases success rate
• Can consider inducing lambs if in early stages of disease - If do not think ewe will survive the delay between induction and parturition (24hrs) C-sec can be considered

Question 8

How can you prevent pregnancy toxaemia?

Answer 8

• When clinical cases occur carefully monitor rest of flock and treat affected animals immediately with oral glucose/propylene glycol/glycerol
• Prevent by ensuring there is a rising plane of nutrition in 2nd half of pregnancy
  
  • Nutrition needs to be improving
  • May need to restrict in early pregnancy to achieve this
• Recommend scanning and feeding singles/twins/triplets separately if possible