Economic Burden and Preventive Strategies for Ketosis and Milk Fever in Dairy Cows: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Ketosis and milk fever (hypocalcemia) are common metabolic disorders affecting dairy cows, particularly around calving. These disorders significantly impact productivity in dairy farming. They impose substantial economic burdens through direct losses such as decreased milk production and indirect costs including animal treatment, increased culling rates, and labor demands. Several causative factors have been proposed for the occurrence of these disorders in cattle. Despite their global economic importance, limited research exists on the economic and preventive implications of ketosis and milk fever in developing countries such as Afghanistan, where dairy farming plays a critical role in rural livelihoods. The aim of this study is to highlight the economic and preventive significance of ketosis and milk fever, offering insights to farmers, veterinarians, and policymakers to enhance disease management and minimize losses. This article systematically analyzed peer-reviewed studies published between 1982 and 2025, using several electronic search engines. The study found that ketosis and milk fever were prevalent in dairy farms, which result in significant economic losses. Preventive measures including proper nutritional management, use of monensin, balancing of dietary cation-anion, and timely calcium supplementation are proven effective in minimizing the incidence and severity of mentioned disorders. It can be concluded that ketosis and milk fever lead to major global economic losses in dairy farming, but targeted nutritional and management strategies can substantially reduce their burden.