These resources are brought to you by the Cooperative Extension System and your Local Institution

Dairy Home

If dairy cows have blood glucose levels of about 40 mg/dl, how can we increase it to about 50 to 60 mg/dl? Can we infuse a glucose solution, and how much glucose do we need to infuse per day?

Last Updated: August 20, 2007

View as web page


Blood levels at 40 mg/dl are low and associated with ketosis. Increasing propionic acid production in the rumen (VFA) and increasing dry matter intake are the best field answers. Glucose can be administered by an IV as dextrose solution, but the glucose is used up quickly. The amount of glucose needed will be driven by the amount of milk (lactose) produced. Mike Hutjens, Extension Dairy Specialist, University of Illinois - Illini DairyNET

Browse related Faqs by tag: dairy cattle


Have a specific question? Try asking one of our Experts

Unlike most other resources on the web, we have experts from Universities around the country ready to answer your questions.


View this page: