Fatty liver in dairy cattle farming.

Fatty liver occurs in 20-50% of all dairy cows during the first month of milking. The liver as a central metabolic organ is particularly stressed and susceptible in the first weeks after calving. The mobilized fats cannot be appropriately utilized and transported away as they enter the liver during ketosis. The fats are stored and a fatty liver develops.

Simply described: Lack of energy - breakdown of body fat - fatty liver.

The cost of fatty liver is 230€ per case due to treatment, more labour, less milk production, impaired fertility, increased risk of postpartum behavior, uterine inflammation, metabolic disorder (ketosis), abomasal displacement and udder inflammation.