Ketosis in dairy cows

Problems with transition cows usually manifest themselves in the month immediately after calving: around 75% of all adult cow health problems happen in the period around calving1, with around 50% of cows having some health issues at this time2. However, multiple factors can contribute, and many of the important precipitating factors start prior to calving, ie. in the dry cows.

Identifying ketosis

Identifying ketosis in dairy cows involves doing whole herd assessments and identifying the cows most at risk of ketosis:

Preventing subclinical ketosis

One option for reducing the risk of ketosis in these high risk cows is to administer a Kexxtone™ bolus 3-4 weeks pre-calving. Kexxtone™ is a prescription-only medicine available from your veterinary surgeon which contains monensin. Monensin is released over a period of around 90 days and works by favouring the proprionate-producing bugs in the rumen. Proprionate is used by the cow to produce glucose, which is the main energy source required for various processes including milk production. More proprionate = more glucose = decreased risk of ketosis.

Contact your Elanco Account Manager or veterinary surgeon for more information on Kexxtone™.

Kexxtone for cows at risk of ketosis

Kexxtone™

Intraruminal monensin bolus for cows at risk of ketosis

Dairy cows at risk of worms

Dairy worm control

Treating and managing worms in dairy cows.

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