Randomized controlled trial assessing the impact of a combined treatment of insulin glargine and propylene glycol on the resolution of hyperketonemia and milk production in postpartum dairy cows

• Published in: JDS communications 2022-09, Vol.3 (5), p.348-352
• Main Authors: Denis-Robichaud, J., Buczinski, S., Fauteux, V., Dubuc, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2666-9102; 2666-9102
• DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2022-0228

[Display omitted] •Cows were enrolled when simultaneously hyperketonemic and hypoglycemic.•Treatment with propylene glycol and insulin glargine did not improve overall time-to-hyperketonemia resolution.•Treatment with propylene glycol and insulin glargine improved overall milk production after enrollment.•For both outcomes, there was a clear effect of treatment in primiparous cows but none in older cows. Multiple treatments for hyperketonemia have been studied, and although propylene glycol has been the most constantly reported as successful in mitigating the effects of this condition, a recent study showed that a subpopulation of cows affected by hyperketonemia and hypoglycemia could benefit from a combined treatment of propylene glycol and insulin glargine. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of this combination on the time-to-hyperketonemia resolution, and on milk production following the initial treatment. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 2 commercial farms on which postpartum exams were conducted twice a week. Cows naturally affected by both hyperketonemia [β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) ≥ 1.4 mmol/L] and hypoglycemia (glucose