Evaluation of eight ketontests in milk for detection of subclinical ketosis in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate eight ketonetests available on the German market when used with milk for detection of subclinical ketosis. 469 dairy cows in the first week of lactation were used. Twelve percent of these cows had subclinical ketosis, defined as > 1.400 mu mol beta-hydroxy butyrate/l blood. The Pink((R)) test liquid and the Ketolac((R)) BHB test s trip were highly sensitive for subclinical ketosis when used with milk. The Uriscan(TM) and Rapignost((R)) test strips were poorly sensitive, the Keto stix((R)), Ketur-Test((R)) and Medi-Test-Keton test strips as well as the A cetonreagenz test tablet were insensitive for subclinical ketosis when used with milk. Pink((R)) and Ketolac((R)) BHB milk ketone tests may be useful for monitoring dairy cows for subclinical ketosis on a regular basis.