SEVERE PREPARTUM KETOSIS IN AN OBESE BEEF COW

A beef cow was examined to find the cause of decreasing appetite of 2 weeks' duration. The cow was obese (body condition score, 8 of 9), and multiple fetuses were identified on palpation per rectum. Urinalysis revealed > 160 mg of ketones/dl. Abnormal serum biochemical data inclu ded high concentrations of bilirubin, creatinine, sodium, and chloride ; low concentrations of total CO2 and calcium; and high activity of as partate transaminase. Treatment included administration of dextrose so lution, IV; propylene glycol, PO; and insulin, IV and SC. The cow's ap petite improved gradually over 8 days of treatment. Concentration of k etone bodies in urine decreased to trace amounts by day 4. The cow was discharged on day 10 and gave birth to twins 4 days after discharge ( duration of gestation, 279 days). The clinical history of this cow dif fered from the history of other cattle with ketosis, but mimicked preg nancy toxemia in ewes. Multiple fetuses have not been implicated as a predisposing factor in severe prepartum ketosis of cows.