Survey Of Ketosis In Lactating Wadara Cows

Abstract

Milk samples collected from 203 lactating Wadara cows at various periods of lactation from April to August, 1999, in Borno State, Nigeria, were negative for ketones by Rothera\'s test. The protein, lactose, fat and total solids contents of 30 milk samples were 12.5  6.7mg/ml, 12.3  2.0mg/ml, 3.2  1.2% and 12.9  2.8%, respectively. The milk contents were not influenced by the period of lactation. The milk fat content was higher (p<0.05) at the end of dry season (May) than rainy season (August), but no significant (p>0.05) variations occurred in the milk protein and lactose contents between the two seasons. It was concluded that ketosis was not prevalent among the cows but higher milk fat content at the end dry season probably suggested under-nutrition associated with increased fat mobilization.

Tropical Veterinarian Vol. 24 (3) 2006: pp. 58-61