Evaluation of a handheld device for the detection of β-hydroxybutyrate pre-calving in dairy cattle

Authors

  • E. H. Tatone Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
  • J. L. Gordon Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
  • S. J. LeBlanc Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
  • T. F. Duffield Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20143705

Keywords:

ketone, dairy cattle, handheld meter, β-hydroxybutyrate, BHBA, post-partum disease

Abstract

Individual and herd ketone levels are commonly monitored in dairy cattle post-partum to identify individuals at-risk of metabolic disease and to identify potential improvements to management factors. The Precision Xtra handheld meter has been validated for use for β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) measurements post-calving as a convenient cow-side test for ketonemia. Recent research has identified BHBA cut points prepartum associated with increased risk of post-partum disease, but at much lower cut-offs than those indicating hyperketonia after calving: 0.6 to 0.8 mmol/L in comparison to 1.0 to 1.4 mmol/L. The objective of the current research is to validate the handheld device, Precision Xtra, in the measurement of BHBA in whole blood against the gold standard method, laboratory evaluation of serum, to assess its diagnostic accuracy in detecting BHBA pre-calving in the range of 0.6 to 0.8 mmol/L.

Cover image of the 47th Conference Proceedings: An image of a herd of cattle in a field at dusk. Three cows are standing in the foreground, looking adorable. Yellow background.

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Published

2014-09-18

Issue

2014

Section

Research Summaries 2

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