Interview with Dr. Ajay Shukla about fatty liver syndrome in dairy cattle

Dr. Ajay: Fatty liver syndrome is a poorly defined condition, which refers to a combination of metabolic, digestive, infectious and reproductive conditions, which affects the obese periparturient cows. The condition develops mainly due to faulty feed management, which permits excessive consumption of unbalanced diets.

Dr. Ajay: Cows in early lactation (Between 4 to 8 weeks) will be in negative energy balance, since milk production usually peaks during this period. However, maximum feed consumption usually occurs between 10 and 14 weeks post-parturm. Consequently, cows mobilise fat deposits to overcome the deficit, resulting in weight loss. There will be release of fatty acids and amino acids into the blood. The fatty acids are transported through the blood to various organs such as liver, kidney and muscle and deposited as intracellular triglycerides. The extent of fat deposition depends on the factors like amount of excessive fat, presence of disease and stress complications during calving.

Dr. Ajay: The amount of fat in the liver under normal conditions is quite low (1 to 2%). Depending on the conditions it may increase prior to calving, to 4 to 10% (of fresh liver weight). The mobilisation of adipose tissue after calving may result in fat accumulation in the liver, of more than 20%. Severely ketotic cows had a greater percentage of fat in the liver than healthy cows. There is a positive relationship between fatty infiltration and blood ketone concentration.

Dr. Ajay: The most useful sign of fatty liver condition is the sight of very fat cows in the dry cow group. Other general signs include depression, loss of appetite, ketone bodies in the urine, marked decrease in milk production, progressive loss in the body condition (debility), weakness, decreased resistance to infection, nervous signs and elevated temperature due to infectious diseases.

Question: How it is controlled or checked?

Dr. Ajay: About one litre of 50% glucose should be administered daily by intravenous route to inhibit fat mobilisation and glucocorticoides. Vitamin B12 and cobalt are also used. Calcium, magnesium salts along with glucose provide some improvement. But all treatments are less effective, the longer their commencement is delayed. About 50 grams of Choline chloride (50%) is to be given orally once daily. Administration of insulin (Zinc protamine) at 200-300 I.U. by subcutaneous route daily will promote peripheral use of glucose. Propylene glycol promotes glucose metabolism.

Question: Is there need of exercise, and tell about the quantity of feed?

Dr. Ajay: Forced exercise haste recovery. Intake of concentrate feeds should be controlled after peak lactation and conception.

Question: How much propylene glycol is given to the cow?

Dr. Ajay: About 325 ml of propylene glycol daily as an oral drench or mixed with concentrate and fed separately from forages will be more effective than mixed in the complete rations. Treating the cows with propylene glycol in the last week before calving will be most effective.

A fatty liver condition is a metabolic disordered which represent a failure of the cow to adjust to the rapid onset and stress of high milk production. The condition develops mainly due to faulty feed management, which permits excessive consumption of unbalanced diets. Control measure should be taken by administrating the above mentioned medicines. Alongwith medicine intake of concentrate feeds should be controlled after peak lactation and conception. Forced exercise should be avoided.