Ketosis in Dairy Cows: How KetoSafe/KetoMax and Glycol Booster Support the Transition Period
Ketosis is one of the most common metabolic disorders in dairy cows, and one of the most costly. It develops in the days immediately after calving, often silently, and can affect milk yield, fertility and overall herd health long after the initial episode has passed.
In this article, we look at why ketosis happens in dairy cows and how KetoSafe/KetoMax and Glycol Booster, two of San Marco’s transition period solutions, can support animals during and after calving.
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Table of Contents
Why ketosis matters after calving
Calving is one of the most metabolically demanding moments in a dairy cow’s production cycle. Energy requirements for colostrum and milk synthesis rise sharply, and dry matter intake often cannot keep pace, leaving a gap that the cow’s body must cover on its own.
Without adequate support, cows can fall into a negative energy balance that affects not only the first weeks of lactation but also fertility and overall herd performance.
Understanding negative energy balance in dairy cows
At the onset of lactation, energy demand exceeds what the cow can take in through feed alone. To close the gap, the cow mobilizes body fat reserves, releasing non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) into the bloodstream. The liver converts part of this NEFA into ketone bodies, including beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA); when levels rise beyond a normal threshold, ketosis develops.
Ketosis is often described as an iceberg disease: visible, clinical cases are only a small part of the real problem. Subclinical ketosis shows no obvious signs but is still associated with reduced milk yield and delayed return to normal reproductive activity, which is why an effective nutritional strategy should target energy balance as a whole, not just visible symptoms.
Where KetoSafe/KetoMax and Glycol Booster fit in
KetoSafe/KetoMax and Glycol Booster are two of San Marco’s solutions developed to support dairy cows through the energy-critical transition period, each with a specific role.
KetoSafe/KetoMax is a liquid feed solution based on readily assimilable, high-bypass energy sources, designed to reduce cases of ketosis in the post-partum period and help maintain high milk production while preventing weight loss and poor appetite around calving.
Glycol Booster is a powder solution concentrated in propylene glycol and glycerol, designed to help manage the metabolic changes typical of the postpartum period, reduce NEFA and BHBA concentrations in peripheral blood, and counteract subclinical ketosis.
This makes the two products a practical, complementary combination to support dairy cows exactly when energy demand is highest.
Key benefits of KetoSafe/KetoMax and Glycol Booster
| Benefit | Impact |
| Readily assimilable, high-bypass energy sources | Helps close the post-calving energy gap that drives ketosis |
| Reduction of NEFA and BHBA concentrations | Supports lower risk of subclinical and clinical ketosis |
| Prevention of weight loss and poor appetite | Supports intake and body condition around calving |
| Support for blood sugar level and fertility | Contributes to a faster return to normal reproductive activity |
How KetoSafe/KetoMax and Glycol Booster are used
KetoSafe/KetoMax is a liquid, water-soluble solution, packaged in 1,000 L IBC, 250 L drums or 25 L tanks. Indicative usage: mixed with cereals, protein flours or bran in a 5% ratio, guaranteeing an intake of 200–500 g/head/day starting two weeks before calving and continuing 4–6 weeks after.
Glycol Booster is a beige powder, packaged in 20 kg bags. Indicative usage: mixed with cereals, protein flours or bran, at a minimum intake of 500–1,000 g/head/day during the post-partum period.
As with all San Marco products, correct use should follow the directions of an expert nutritionist.
FAQ
What is ketosis in dairy cows?
Ketosis is a metabolic disorder caused by a negative energy balance around calving, in which the cow’s body produces excess ketone bodies, including BHBA, while mobilizing fat reserves to meet energy demand.
What do KetoSafe/KetoMax and Glycol Booster do?
KetoSafe/KetoMax supplies readily assimilable, high-bypass energy to reduce ketosis risk and support milk production. Glycol Booster supplies concentrated propylene glycol and glycerol to help reduce NEFA and BHBA levels and counteract subclinical ketosis.
When should KetoSafe/KetoMax and Glycol Booster be given to dairy cows?
KetoSafe/KetoMax is indicated from two weeks before calving through 4–6 weeks after. Glycol Booster is indicated during the post-partum period, when metabolic changes are most pronounced.
Can KetoSafe/KetoMax and Glycol Booster be used together with other San Marco products?
Yes. They are often used alongside other transition period solutions such as Calciovit and Epatox Anion, depending on the cow’s specific needs.
Is ketosis only a concern right after calving?
Its main risk window is the first weeks of lactation, when negative energy balance is at its peak, but the consequences — reduced fertility, higher susceptibility to other disorders — can extend well beyond this period.
