EVALUATION OF POINT-OF-CARE TESTS FOR THE DETECTION OF SUBCLINICAL KETOSIS IN EARLY POST-PARTUM COWS
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Date
2022-11-10
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COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, KERALA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY
Abstract
A study on subclinical ketosis in cows in early lactation was conducted in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Ethics and Jurisprudence, during the period from May 2020 to April 2022. One hundred and fourteen multiparous animals were screened for subclinical ketosis (SCK) on 14th and 28th day postpartum. Cows with blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) value ≥ 1.2 mmol/L without any overt clinical signs were considered as positive for SCK. Concurrent transition period abnormalities and other risk factors for occurrence of SCK were assessed. Subclinical ketosis was confirmed in 23.7 and 14.04 per cent of animals on 14th and 28th day, respectively. Occurrence of SCK was highest in animals in second lactation, between four and six years of age. Crossbred Holstein Friesian herds were more affected. Body condition score (BCS) of diseased animals were higher than normal animals and a non-significant reduction was observed in BCS of diseased animals on 28th day. Highest incidence was noticed in animals calved during July to September and 58.1 per cent of diseased animals had male calf. Mastitis (32 per cent), metritis (12 per cent) and retention of foetal membranes (8 per cent) were the important concurrent transition period abnormalities detected in diseased animals. Significant reduction (p≤0.01) was observed in blood glucose concentration of diseased animals on both test days. Significant increase (p≤0.01) was noticed in milk fat per cent of diseased animals on both test days. No significant difference was noticed in milk BHB and
milk fat to protein ratio (F:P) between affected and normal animals. Milk production on test days and milk yield in previous lactation were higher in dairy cows positive for SCK. Haemato-biochemical parameters of diseased and normal animals were analysed. Haematological parameters of diseased animals were normal except for a significant reduction in haemoglobin value on both test days. No significant variations were recorded in biochemical parameters of diseased and normal animals except for a significant reduction in total bilirubin value and a significant increase in serum creatinine value in diseased animals. Five point-of-care tests were evaluated in comparison to blood BHB to find a suitable cow-side test for detection of SCK in cows in transition period and data
were analysed statistically. Statistical analysis revealed a fair agreement with blood glucose, moderate agreement with milk F:P, substantial agreement with milk BHB and urine tests for the detection of SCK using blood BHB as standard. None of
these point-of-care tests were sensitive in detection of disease during early lactation in multiparous dairy cattle.