The metabolic profile test as a tool for herd diagnosis of subclinical metabolic disorders in dairy cows

The aim of the study was to reveal how metabolic profiling can be used to diagnose feeding and management related subclinical metabolic disorders on a large scale dairy farm. In my literary review I looked at the historical background of this test, its characteristics and the factors that must be considered when carrying out this test. In my research I have seen how metabolic profiling has been successfully used to improve the management and well being of dairy cattle by providing vital results needed to predict metabolic problems. This herd level test may be used to monitor the metabolic status of the animals and in this way allow the farmer to improve farm management before losing profits. By using metabolic profiling we place an emphasis on monitoring subclinical disease prevalence instead of clinical disease incidence. This is preferable for both animal welfare and farm production. Using reference values which have been obtained by regional laboratories certain blood and urine components can be measured and interpreted by a veterinarian. Changes in the levels of the components measured will be evident with or without the presence of clinical abnormalities. To make this test viable, information of the entire herd is gained by testing representative groups rather than individual testing which would be too costly. For the results to be accurate the studies stated a minimum of twelve animals should be in each subgroup. The subgroups tested are at time periods that are especially problematic for these high producers. As with all tests which involve human handling errors can occur and so this test alone is not enough for farmers to make herd based decisions. I then researched the various parameters that can be examined using this test and what an increase or a decrease in each parameter could mean. As the energy status of the animal truly influences the metabolic state and is very often the cause of the metabolic disease I closely examined the most sensitive and accurate parameters used to evaluate it. I found the most sensitive parameter to be non esterified fatty acids. The various research articles and books all concur that body condition is a very important factor in maintaining herd production. A scale has been developed to assess the condition of these animals. When used in conjunction with metabolic profiling a more accurate picture 39 may be obtained. This scale also indicates animals that may be predisposed to metabolic problems in the future. It can be concluded from my findings that metabolic profiling can be used as a tool to diagnose subclinical metabolic diseases such as fatty liver syndrome, ketosis and milk fever. However, in the case of hypocalcemia outside the normal transient period this test is not practical as clinical signs are now present but it may be used in the differential diagnosis of downer syndrome. In the case of ketosis testing the beta-hydroxybutyrate is now considered the golden test for its diagnosis. In my field work carried out in Agronomia Ltd, Deszk I had the opportunity to use metabolic profile testing to get accurate information about the herd. Using these results I was able to advise the farmer how best to proceed with farm management