HEALTH COACH - The world's first blood glucose meter designed specifically for diabetic cows was developed by scientists The first global blood glucose meter created for diabetic cows Faced with a growing problem, with up to one in seven livestock having potentially the condition. It is caused by a poor quality diet or overweight - a common symptom of cows being treated because they require extra energy. They often need to be checked for the fatal complication known as ketosis - caused when their body does not produce enough insulin. This then causes an accumulation of ketones and a peak of blood glucose, and without immediate treatment it can be fatal. It can also spoil the milk - making farmers lose money. Tracking this accumulation allows them to ensure the health of their livestock, said Dr. Dai Grove-White of the Institute of Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool . He told MailOnline: The modern dairy cow is the Usain Bolt of the cow world.

HEALTH COACH -

 The world's first blood glucose meter designed specifically for diabetic cows was developed by scientists 
 
 The first global blood glucose meter created for diabetic cows 
 
 Faced with a growing problem, with up to one in seven livestock having potentially the condition. 
 
 It is caused by a poor quality diet or overweight - a common symptom of cows being treated because they require extra energy. 
 
 They often need to be checked for the fatal complication known as ketosis - caused when their body does not produce enough insulin. 
 
 This then causes an accumulation of ketones and a peak of blood glucose, and without immediate treatment it can be fatal. It can also spoil the milk - making farmers lose money. 
 
 Tracking this accumulation allows them to ensure the health of their livestock, said Dr. Dai Grove-White of the Institute of Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool . 
 
 He told MailOnline: The modern dairy cow is the Usain Bolt of the cow world. 
 
 
 

" Metabolically speaking she is an athlete Highly tuned comparable to an Olympic athlete and excellent nutrition is just as important to her as to the athlete. 
 
 "Measuring ketones on a farm using hand-held meters allows us to ask the cow itself if its diet is adapted to its needs." 
 
 Currently, animals are tested for complication using human glucose meters, but these are not suited to their physiology. 
 
 In response, the British diabetes company Gluco Rx, which normally works on humans, has launched the only system designed specifically for cows on the planet 
 
. It measures ketone levels in dairy cows to detect fatal conditions and predict health risks during first lactation. 
 
 This can prevent the milk decrease Yields and economic loss, scientists behind the claim of the gear. 
 
 
 

 
 HOW DOES IT WORK? 
 
 
 The GlucoRx COW Ketone meter uses special test strips that use existing technology mainly used on humans. 
 
 It takes a blood sample of a cow's tail, and then shows a reading of their levels of substances known as ketones. 
 
 Because diabetic cows are unable to produce enough insulin that their body needs for its energy supply, it turns into fat to burn. 
 
 This then creates high levels of ketones in their bodies, an accumulation of which can result in potentially fatal ketosis. An increase in blood glucose is also noted. 
 
 The test can then detect the fatal complication, predicting health risks during early lactation in dairy cows, thus preventing dairy yield reduction and economic losses. 
 
 
 
 Chris Chapman, director of Gluco Rx, told MailOnline: "As an innovative company, we are always looking to push back the barriers of science and health. 
 
 The focus is normal for diabetes care for humans, when we developed our ketone counter, we found that it could also work with cattle. 
 
 "We were aware of the challenge of ketosis in cows, continued the results and are pleased to be able to present to farmers a ketone counter that is properly adapted to this challenge. 
 
 There are 1 897 000 dairy cows in the United Kingdom, figures from the Ministry of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) of the June 2016 show - Increase of 5.6 percent over the past five years. 
 
 A summary of these data by the Veterinary Manual suggests that up to 14 percent are at risk for ketosis, accounting for 266,000 cattle. 
 
 They are not officially diagnosed with diabetes as such, but their blood sugar levels increase due to a lack of insulin - a key sign of the 39 ;state. 
 
 Regular monitoring of ketones becomes a regular part of life on the modern dairy farm, according to a livestock expert. 
 
 Dr. Grove-White compared it to humans to monitor blood pressure. 
 
 He stated that keeping a frequent eye on their ketone levels allows farmers to ensure a perfect diet for their precious cattle. 
 
 This is important to ensure that they are at optimal health and can continue to provide good profits for their dairy production.