Fat cow syndrome in a British dairy herd

The fat cow syndrome developed over a two year period in a 100 cow dairy herd following overfeeding in late lactation and the dry period. It was characterised clinically by a high incidence of parturient paresis and chronic unresponsive ketosis in early lactation. The reproductive performance of the herd was poor throughout this period, with extended calving indices confirming a suggested link between fatty liver and infertility.