ABSTRACT
Urine analysis with "Combi nine urine strip" as well as ketone bodies, glucose, sodium, potassium and transaminases of serum were done for healthy, sub. and clinical ketotic dairy cows within six weeks after parturition from eight farms of dairy friesian cattle, in Dakahleia Governorate. In subclinical ketosis, ketonuria was associated with ketonaemia, less for hypoglycaemia and acidduria, the least for serum transaminases, sodium and potassium, in addition to slight reduction of milk production without apparent physical disturbance. While in ketotic cows ketonuria was highly correlated to aciduria, hyperketonaemia, hypoglycaemia, hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia together with elevation of serum transaminases, as well as severe drop of milk production and appearance of clinical symptoms. The urine concentration of blood, urobilinogen, bilirubin, protein, nitrite and glucose was negative in the three groups. It could be concluded that the "combi nine test" is a simple and reliable diagnostic tool for sub, and clinical ketosis and must be supported by analytical data concerning ketone bodies, glucose, sodium, potassium and transaminases of serum, however, false positive ketonuria only can contribute to overfeeding or underfeeding in healthy cows of the large dairy herd