Unit 1 - Metabolic Disease Flashcards
What causes ketosis in dairy cattle?
There is an increase in energy requirements and inadequate DMI (dry matter intake)
What causes an increase in energy requirements in dairy cattle that can lead to ketosis?
lactogenesis
What is the primary cause of a negative energy balance in pregnancy toxemia cases?
The actual process of making the baby
When does ketosis typically occur in dairy cattle?
Typically recently post parturient
What will the dairy likely first recognize in a cow that has ketosis post partum?
That the cow is having decreased milk production when it should be increasing
When does pregnancy toxemia typically occur?
2-6 weeks prepartum
What clinical signs are associated with ketosis?
Loss of appetite, decrease in milk production, and a more profound weight lost than normal
What clinical signs are associated with pregnancy toxemia?
Loss of appetite, separation from flock/herd, limb edema, and recumbency
What are the possible treatments for ketosis?
Propylene glycol, corticosteroids, IV dextrose
Which ketosis treatment should not be used for pregnancy toxemia and why?
Corticosteroids should not be used because they can induce parturition or abortion
They should only be used if you want to induce
What happens if you give too much propylene glycol in ketosis treatment?
You can kill off the rumen microbes
If you choose to use a corticosteroid, which should you use to treat ketosis?
Dexamethasone
Note: corticosteroids are not recommended because they drive gluconeogenesis and decrease milk production
Why shouldn’t Predef-2X be used to treat ketosis?
Because it is a mineralcorticoid and not a glucocorticoid. This is bad because it can influence the K levels
You are on a farm call and see a market value cow that is showing signs of ketosis. How would you confirm your suspicion?
Check blood BHBA levels (if you can’t you cant try urine or milk)
You are on a farm call and see a market value cow that is showing signs of ketosis. The blood BHBA is indicative of ketosis. What would you treat this cow with?
Propylene glycol in a paste or via a stomach tube - 300 mL a day for 3-5 days
You are on a farm call and see a high genetic value cow that is showing signs of ketosis. How would you confirm your suspicion?
Check blood BHBA levels (if you can’t you cant try urine or milk)
You are on a farm call and see a market value cow that is showing signs of ketosis. The blood BHBA is indicative of ketosis. What would you treat this cow with?
IV dextrose CRT
What is the best testing method to monitor for subclinical ketosis (and just ketosis in general)?
Blood BHBA
What animals should be tested (stage of production) when using BHBA to monitor a herd for subclinical ketosis and how many?
Sample 12 animals that are in early lactation and less than 35 days in milk (DIM)
When should you test the blood BHBA levels in relation to eating when you are monitoring for subclinical ketosis?
4-5 hours post eating
What is the alarm level for subclinical ketosis (with BHBA)?
If 10% of the cows tested are above the threshold - reevaluation needs to occur at this point
How do you know a cow has subclinical ketosis (with BHBA)?
If the blood BHBA level is >1.2, but they are showing no clinical signs
What is BHBA level indicates hyperketonemia?
Anything greater than 1.2
What does BHBA stand for?
Beta-hydroxybutyric acid - makes up 80% of the ketones
What are cows with subclinical ketosis at a higher risk for?
3x increased risk for LDA or clinical ketosis
What animals should be tested (stage of production) when using NEFA to monitor a herd for subclinical ketosis and how many?
Sample 7-12 animals 2-14 days before calving
Make sure to remove animals that have calved within 72 hours post-sampling
What is the alarm level for NEFA testing when you are looking for subclinical ketosis in a herd?
10% of the herd is above the cutpoint
What is the cutpoint for NEFA for subclinical ketosis?
> 0.4 mEq/L
When should NEFA testing occur in relation to feeding?
just prior to feeding
True or False: NEFA samples should be kept warm.
False - they need to be kept cool or frozen
What is the mechanism of action of propylene glycol in treatment of ketosis?
It is a precursor for proprionate which is an important volatile fatty acid that is metabolized to glucose in the liver
What is the mechanism of action of IV dextrose in treatment of ketosis?
It bypasses the need for the liver to convert proprionate into glucose, and instead the glucose is in the blood stream
What risk is associated with using IV dextrose to treat ketosis?
You run the risk of inducing other electrolyte abnormalities in order to make the ketosis better