Ketosis in Dairy Cows

Ketosis is a major production disease in early lactating dairy cows. Subclinical and clinical ketosis negatively affects animal health and performance. Monitoring of ketone body concentrations in either blood, milk, or urine is prerequisite for an early identification of cows at risk. Besides the etiology of ketosis, this chapter addresses further physiological interactions of ketone bodies with metabolic regulation of energy homeostasis and consequences for other concomitantly occurring health disorders such as fatty liver. Detection of ketone bodies in various media, treatment approaches, and risk factors and preventive measures for ketosis are summarized based on latest research findings.