Ketosis is a metabolic disease of dairy cows in early lactation causing negative energy balance, with significant welfare impacts and cascading health consequences if unmanaged.
Ketosis causes negative affective states through the metabolic consequences of prolonged negative energy balance, with clinical cows experiencing reduced motivation, appetite suppression, and in severe cases neurological disturbance including ataxia and aggression. The welfare impact is compounded by the high rate of secondary disease in affected cows. Prevention through optimal transition cow management — including appropriate dry cow body condition, adequate feed space, and palatable fresh diets — is more effective and welfare-positive than reactive treatment of clinical cases.