NovaVet Ketone Xpress Meter

BHBA in the blood is the gold standard for detecting subclinical ketosis in dairy cattle. A blood BHBA concentration of 1,2 – 1,4 mmol/L is an important threshold for detecting subclinical ketosis and for predicting health risk in early lactation cows.

• NovaVet's BHBA biosensors provide accurate analysis in this subclinical range.
• Blood BHBA provides better sensitivity and specificity for ketosis than urine or milk ketone testing.

Precise, quantitative BHBA results

The ketone meter provides comparable accuracy to laboratory tests for BHBA. It provides quantitative results and thus eliminates the subjectivity that occurs when interpreting semi-quantitative results (for example, when measuring milk and urine ketones).

Simple test procedure in the field

1. A very small drop of blood is withdrawn from the tail vein using a 20 or 22 gauge needle and a vacuum tube.
2. A pre-calibrated biosensor is inserted into the meter. No calibration coding of the meter or biosensor is required.
3. A small drop of blood (0,8 microliters) is added to the end of the strip. BHBA results are ready in 10 seconds

Early detection of subclinical ketosis can prevent financial losses

Subclinical ketosis is defined as atypical concentrations of circulating ketones (primarily beta-hydroxybutyrate) in the absence of clinical signs of ketosis. Early detection of ketosis in the subclinical stage allows feeding strategies to be introduced to prevent clinical ketosis, cow malaise and economic losses for the dairy farmer.

Clinical ketosis in early lactation dairy cattle – An economic loss for dairy farmers

The transition of dairy cows from calving to the beginning of lactation is a critical time, and it is of great importance for the cow's health and production throughout the lactation period. All cows in this transition phase are at risk of entering clinical ketosis, which is characterized by partial anorexia, poor appetite and signs of nervous dysfunction, including atypical licking, poor coordination and atypical walking and bellowing. Clinical ketosis causes economic losses to the dairy farmer due to:

• Decreased milk production, poor milk quality
• Mastitis, risk of displaced abomasum
• Metritis, reduced fertility
• More movements of herds and increased processing costs

Crew control optimization

NovaVet provides a simple, accurate and economical detection of ketosis in a herd. Herd control is improved over relying on the milk producer's subjective perception of clinical signs of ketosis or less sensitive and specific milk urine ketone tests. The advantages of NovaVet BHBA testing in herd control include:

• Early identification and monitoring of changes in cows in transition from calving to lactation
• Protection of the herd's milk production and quality
• Quantifying the prevalence of ketosis in the herd
• Avoids clinical ketosis treatment costs
• Monitoring and managing the herd's feeding program
• Protection of the reproductive capacity of the herd
• Reduction in herd culling rates
• Testing of individual risk cattle

NovaVet BHBA testing can target potential problem or high-risk cows. Individual testing of at-risk cows can identify ketosis early in the disease process so that more severe clinical disease can be avoided with clinical intervention.