The Bovine Bugle

The farmer explains ketosis and drenching

I want to answer a few questions we have gotten in regards to some of the entries we have done lately here in the Bovine Bugle. We always appreciate it when our readers send it questions.

Karen wanted to know what ketosis is and what is a "drench" (see the Bovine Bugle entry for March 22, 2006). Ketosis is a condition most often seen in bovines at calving time. At calving, often the cow simply eats less. This happens at a time when the energy demand on her body is at its highest. If her intake of feed is not meeting the energy demands, she will then start burning stored body fat. This body fat is sent to the liver and is converted into a temporary energy supply called ketones. If the level of ketones becomes too high, the cow will lose her appetite, thus compounding the problem further and possibly leading to a host of other problems.

We treat cows with ketosis by giving them dextrose intravenously, and by drenching with a product called Keto-aid, which contains propylene glycol and niacin. In drenching, we simply put about 300ml (10 ozs) in a drench bottle and pour it down the cow's throat. Sometimes a cow doesn't appreciate this, and I end up getting drenched. Anyone familiar with the Atkins diet might recognize the terminology in regards to burning fat and producing ketones. When I heard this, I thought, "Wow, when this is happening to my cows it's a bad thing. Can it really be good for people?"

--Jonathan (left), Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont

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Posted by Blogger Chris at April 17, 2006 02:48 PM