Subclinical ketosis
Subclinical ketosis (SCK) is an important condition of dairy cows during the transition period.
It is defined as increased blood concentration of ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) without any clinical signs. 29
The most commonly used blood BHBA threshold to diagnose SCK in individual cows is between 1.2 to 1.4 mmol/L. 24, 29, 31, 33, 34
Prevalence of SCK varies between 10.2 and 43.2 % within the first three weeks of lactation.24, 35, 36, 37, 38
SCK is associated with
- increased risk of postpartum diseases (Table 1)
- decreased milk yields 36, 37
- impaired fertility (e.g. low first service conception rates) 39
| Blood BHBA concentration[mmol/L] | Disease | Time p.p. | Increased risk (odds ratio) |
| ≥ 1.2 | Displaced abomasum (DA) | 1st week | 2.6 36 |
| ≥ 1.0 | Displaced abomasum (DA) | days 3 - 14 | 6.9 41 |
| ≥ 1.2 | Metritis | 1st week | 3.4 36 |
| ≥ 1.0 | Metritis | days 3 - 14 | 2.3 41 |
| ≥ 1.0 | Clinical ketosis | days 3 - 14 | 4.9 41 |
The economic impact of SCK is significant.
* see also our references page
