Ketosis/Fatty liver

Question 1

When does it occur?

Answer 1

3 weeks prior-6 weeks after

Question 2

VFA

• what
• ratio with diets
• uses

Answer 2

acetate:proptionate:butyrate

70: 20:10 in a high forage diet
60: 30:10 in a high starch diet

• Butyrate–> b-hydroxybutyrate: source of energy for cardiac and skeletal muscles
• Acetate: converted into acetyl CoA and made into energy
• Proprionate: enters krebs for glucose production

Question 3

Ketosis mechanism (3)

Answer 3

• incomplete VFA metabolism
• low plasma glucose: decrease in proprionate
• high plasma ketones: increase in fat –> NEFA –> ketones

Question 4

Fatty liver mechanism

Answer 4

Fa esterification to triglycerides exceeds the rate of diappearance by hydrolysis and export as a constituent of VLDL

• increase in liver TG
• increase in plasma ketones
• decrease in plasma glucose
• considered when liver Tg> 30mg/g wet

Question 5

Ketosis cause

Answer 5

• over-conditioning of cows (fat cow syndrome!)

Question 6

Ketosis CS

• normal (6)
• nervous (5)

Answer 6

• inappetence
• milk drop and rapid weightloss
• dry, firm faeces
• depression
• reduced rumen contraction, frequency and strength
• acedotic breath

Nervous

• delirium
• circling
• leaning and crossing legs
• licking and chewing manias
• blindness

Question 7

ketosis clinical findings

Answer 7

• ketones in blood: above 1.4mmol/l in fresh cows, above 0.7mmol/l in dry cows
  can also be measured in milk and urine
• NEFA 700/400 umol/l
• glucose: 3-4mmol/l (normally hypoglycaemic so below these values)

Question 8

Fatty liver diagnosis (4)

Answer 8

• CS
• liver biopsy
• liver enzymes
• PM

Question 9

Treatment

Answer 9

GLUCOSE!

• dextrose/glucose IV: 2-3xday, essential in nervous ketosis
• oral : propylene glycol: 250ml 2-3xday

glucocorticoids: stimulate gluco-neogenesis dexamethason
- reduce milk yeild
- increase lipolysis
- increase hepatic TG secretion

• choline nad vit B (hepatic protectants)
• Vit E and Se
• insulin
• niacin
• glucagon

Question 10

Prevention

Answer 10

maximise DMI

• same feed
• same time
• mixed well
• fibre length 2.5-3cm
• 10% left over

minimise stress

good BCS:

• optimal: 2.75-3.25
• dry off: 3.00-3.25
• calving: 3.25

monensin: increase in proprionate-producing bacteria