Diagnosis of Ketosis in Postpartum Dairy Cows by Rapid On-Farm Tests in the Peri-Urban Area of Dakar, Senegal

Abstract

The objective of this study is to contribute to the improvement of the productivity of dairy farms through the rapid detection of metabolic diseases of dairy cows on the farm. The study involved 42 dairy cows from a dairy farm located in the village of Niacoulrab. Four blood and urine samples were taken from each cow every two weeks for the first eight weeks after calving. Blood and urine ketone and glucose determinations and urine pH measurements were performed by FREESTYLE OPTIUM device, CUMBUR Test and pH paper during the first 8 weeks postpartum. The following results were obtained: the prevalence and incidence of subclinical ketosis were very high 45% and 32% respectively. At the 4th week of lactation, the blood concentration of Beta-Hydroxy-Butyrate was very high respectively 1.9 ± 0.31mmol/l and 4.2 ± 0.85 mmol/l in subclinical and clinical ketosis cows. At the 4th week of lactation, urinary acetoacetate concentration was very high in subclinical and clinical cows with values of 8.8 ± 2.3 mmol/l and 15 ± 3.8 mmol/l respectively. Blood glucose concentration was very low in subclinical and clinical ketosis cows with values of 0.37 ± 0.03 mmol/l and 0.2 ± 0.03 mmol/l respectively around the 4th week of lactation. There was a strong correlation between the concentrations of glucose (r2= -0.88) and Beta-HydroxyButyrate (-0.86) in blood and also with those of acetoacetate in urine.