Ketosis contributes to wide ranging losses. A single case of ketosis costs dairy producers an average of $298. The most common metabolic disease in cattle, two common, differing etiologies of early lactation ketosis are in play:
- the animal’s inability to adapt to an early lactation energy deficit – one to two weeks
- limited energy intake – three to six weeks
The use of blood BHBA is the de facto standard for finding and measuring ketosis on a routine basis.” – Garret Oetzel, DVM
Source: Bovine Veterinarian, March/April 2021. Link. Other ketosis considerations:
- Decreased milk production; 3 to 7 percent loss reported, probably worse than this.
- Increased risk of displaced abomasum; 3x to 19x greater risk.
- Increased culling risk in first 30 days; 3x greater risk.
- Decreased reproductive performance; 20 to 70 percent less likely to conceive at first breeding.