Invited Review: Ketosis Diagnosis and Monitoring in High-Producing Dairy Cows

This work reviews the current impact and manifestation of ketosis (hyperketonemia) in dairy cattle, emphasizing practical use laboratory methods, field tests, milk data to monitoring this disease. Ketosis is a major issue high-producing cows, easily reaching prevalence 20% during early postpartum when negative energy balance well established. Its economic losses, mainly related decreasing yield, fertility, treatment costs, have been estimated up €250 per case ketosis/year, which can double if associated diseases are considered. A deep relationship between subclinical or clinical production be observed first two months postpartum. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry methods gradually take place routine evaluates body ketones (e.g., beta-hydroxybutyrate) probably will accurately substitute cowside blood tests at farm avenir. Fat protein ratio urea largely evaluated each month farms indicating animals risk hyperketonemia. At preventive levels, other than periodical evaluation condition score controlling modifiable identifying non-modifiable factors, ruminatory activity assessment peripartum seems valuable tool farms. We conclude that technological advance progressively takes mitigate effects these metabolic diseases, challenge high-yielding cows.