Fresh cows are more susceptible to disease than at any other point in their lactation, and this is traditionally attributed to a suppressed immune system around calving. 

Transition cow diseases often present as complexes of metabolic and infectious diseases: a common case being a cow with a retained placenta that develops ketosis a few days later. How are these diseases connected and what causes their high rates of recurrence? One of the answers is fat mobilization.

Transition cows get a lot of attention in the herd, as the transition period brings significant challenges.