The effect of two glucocorticoids on plasma glucose and milk production in healthy cows and the therapeutic effect in ketosis.

In a cross-over study of six clinically healthy cows in early lactation, injection of 10 mg dexamethasone isonicotinate caused significantly increased plasma glucose for six days and significantly decreased milk yield for one day. The corresponding effects of 10 mg dexamethasone phosphate + 20 mg dexamethasone phenylpropionate lasted for at least nine and seven days, respectively. The therapeutic effect in bovine ketosis of the two preparations was measured by means of analysis of acetone plus acetoacetate in milk sampled daily during eight days post treatment. Acetone plus acetoacetate in milk from cows given dexamethasone phosphate + dexamethasone phenylpropionate (n = 11) decreased to normal levels and from the fourth day after treatment was significantly lower than in cows given dexamethasone isonicotinate (n = 12).