Moyne Veterinary Hospital is an independently owned mixed practice with a thriving large animal clinic, operating alongside their small animal hospital and equine unit.
Don Goggin is one of the large animal vets working mostly with dairy, beef and sheep clients in and around the Enniscorthy area in Co. Wexford.
According to Don: “It’s a very busy time of the year and no two days are the same. The last 10 years has seen many dairy herds increase in size, which brings its own challenges.
“A lot of our time is spent trying to prevent disease at the herd level and where it does occur, we work to treat the issue, prevent disease spread and promote a quick recovery. “
One example of this preventative approach is with ketosis, a condition that occurs when the animal’s total dietary intake fails to meet its energy requirements.
The cow begins to draw from her body reserves creating a continuous state of negative energy balance (NEB).
Transition cows
Unfortunately, the ketones released as part of this process suppress the cow’s appetite, creating a vicious circle that results in weight loss and a significant drop in milk yield.
Don continued: “There are a range of contributing factors that predispose some cows and herds to ketosis. BCS at calving, particularly fat cows, are at increased risk of developing ketosis.
“Cows carrying twins or that are stressed following a caesarean or difficult calving can also be at risk. I recommend that farmers use a Ketonor+ bolus on these cows.”
Two Ketonor+ boluses given to ‘at risk’ fresh cows (typically two to seven days post calving) provide a readily available energy source.
This breaks the cycle of ketone production, helping the cow to start eating, regain her energy levels and increase milk production.
“We would have used propylene glycol in the past, but it isn’t always easy to find the time for the required twice daily follow-up treatments during the busy calving period. The bolus is much easier, and you know that’s the full treatment given,” said Don.
Although energy imbalances are usually seen during early lactation, it can occur any time that the cow is off her food.
Don also uses Ketonor+ as a supportive therapy in sick or convalescent cows alongside non-steroidal pain relief and antibiotics.
“I use the boluses a bit more generally on cows that are sick and might be off their food as a result. At this time of the year, I’m often treating cases of metritis or mastitis and as part of their treatment I’ll give a bolus as well as NSAIDs and antibiotics.
“Also following LDA surgery I routinely use Ketonor boluses. It helps their recovery by giving them an energy boost until their appetite comes back.”
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