Some Observations on the Use of Sodium Propionate for the Prevention of Ketosis in Dairy Cattle

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Abstract
The herd of Guernsey cattle owned by the University of Delaware, which had previously shown a very high incidence of ketosis, was divided into control and treatment groups which were as near alike as possible in history of ketosis. Cows which calved a 2d time during the course of the experiment were placed in the group opposite their original group. In this way 11 of the cows were included in both groups. The treatment group received 1/8 lb. of sodium propionate twice daily by drench for approximately 6 weeks postpartum. The effect of propionate upon incidence of ketosis, blood sugar levels, blood ketone levels, and milk production was investigated. The incidence of ketosis was low in both groups, but it was just as high in the treated as in the control. There was some tendency for the treated group to be lower in blood ketones and higher in blood glucose than the control group, however individual variation was too great for these differences to be significant. There was a highly significantly difference in milk production favoring the treatment with sodium propionate.