Ketosis in early lactation dairy cows represents a common and welfare-significant metabolic disease, with systematic monitoring and early intervention significantly reducing disease burden and suffering.
Ketosis causes welfare compromise through its direct metabolic effects and the cascade of secondary conditions it predisposes. Severe clinical ketosis causes neurological signs including incoordination and abnormal behavior that indicate significant metabolic disturbance. Subclinical ketosis causes reduced feed intake, production loss, and immune suppression without obvious clinical signs but with measurable welfare effects. The 40-60% incidence on many farms represents a substantial welfare burden from a largely preventable condition. Systematic monitoring programs that identify and treat subclinical ketosis before progression, combined with transition period management that reduces the negative energy balance driving ketosis, represent the most effective welfare interventions.