dairy cow diseases

Fat cow syndrome

cows with BCS over 3.75; predisposes to retained placenta, ketosis, fatty liver, acidosis

Ketosis/hyperketonemia

fat mobilization leads to ketone production, drop in blood pH; lethargy, decreased feed intake, neurological symptoms; treat with propylene glycol; high risk for displaced abomasum, acidosis, retained placenta

Nervous ketosis

abnormal behaviors associated with neurological dysfunction; pica, bellowing, aggression, licking

Fatty liver syndrome

Unused fatty acids build up in liver when no glucose is available to use them (progression of ketosis); hyperlipidemia and hepatic lipidosis

Milk fever/hypocalcemia

calcium mobilizes from bones during lactation, blood-calcium drops; moderate (ataxic but standing), emergent (sternal recumbent, low temp), or fatal (coma, bloat)

Mastitis

MCOs enter teat canal; environmental (E. coli) or pathogenic (Staph. aureus or agalactiae); usually subclinical