Sodium propionate or propylene glycol are two oral sugar precursors that can be fed or drenched. They are used by the cow to produce glucose in the liver and can be fed at a rate of 0.5 to 1.0 pound per day or at 3 to 5 percent of the grain mix. They also can be fed on silage or in a total mixed ration. Propylene glycol can be used as an outside source of glucose. It is often used after glucose or hormone treatments.
Producers can avoid ketosis outbreaks by preventing obesity in late lactation and dry cows.
Over conditioning causes depressed appetites at freshening and may increase fatty liver problems. It is best not to feed more than 0.5 percent of body weight in grain during the dry period. Changes in the ration should be made slowly and poor quality feeds should be avoided. High quality forages should be fed at 40 to 50 percent of the total ration. Feeding niacin is also recommended at 6 grams per day for two to ten days starting two weeks prior to calving.