以血液酮體檢測評估臺灣中部地區泌乳牛潛伏性酮症發生風險因子
Journal
臺灣獸醫學雜誌
Journal Volume
40卷
Journal Issue
1期
Pages
46-52
Date Issued
2014
Abstract
Ketosis is a metabolic disorder of dairy cows frequently occurring during parturition. Although lacking of clinical symptoms, having subclinical ketosis possesses the potential to cause great economic loss and may turn into clinical ketosis. In this current study, blood ketone bodies from cows prior or post parturition were examined for possible risk factors of the disease. During October to December of 2011, a total of 497 measurements were obtained from 228 cows from eight different farms in Central Taiwan. The three time points of measurement included one week prior to parturition, 1-2 week post parturition, and 3-4 week post parturition. The blood ketone body levels ranged from 0.31 to 3.73 mmol/L and showed a 23.2% incidence rate of subclinical ketosis according to the 1.40 mmol/L disease determination criteria. There was no difference between the 1-2 week post parturition and 3-4 week post parturition ketone body titers from cows that never had subclinical ketosis. In contrast, there was a statistical increase in 3-4 weeks post parturition compared to 1-2 weeks post parturition in the cows that had the disorder at least once before. This increase in ketone body titers indicates that an early treatment should be carried out for these cows with high potential disease risk. Excluding parturition, an inevitable physical risk factor, none of other risk factors including breed (Holsteins and Jerseys), farm size, herd density were concluded as related to disease frequency in this study. However, when farms with better management in which the farmer replaced the feed more frequently, the ketone body titer at 1-week post parturition showed a statistical (p＜0.05) decrease (0.92 vs. 1.44 mmol/L) from farms that did not replace the feed as regularly. This indicates the importance of farm management. In conclusion, this study reminds the veterinarians the importance of early measurement and treatment of subclinical ketosis, as well as the necessity of feed management on the farm.
Subjects
酮體; 酮症; 乳牛; 風險因子; 飼養管理; ketone body; ketosis; Dairy cows; Risk factors; Farm management
Type
journal article