Practical Utility of the Urine Dipstick Test in Identifying Metabolic Disease Risk in Transition Dairy Cows at Farms in Enugu State, South East Nigeria

The transition period in dairy cattle is characterised by heightened metabolic vulnerability, and affordable cow-side diagnostics are essential for early disease detection in resource-limited farm settings. This study evaluated the practical utility of the urine dipstick test for detecting ketone bodies as a field screening tool for metabolic disease risk in transition dairy cows at farms in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Eighty Friesian-crossbred cows transitioning through the periparturient period at four dairy farms were monitored. Urine samples were collected by spontaneous voiding or vulvar stimulation and tested with dipstick reagent strips at weekly intervals from one week prepartum to three weeks postpartum. Dipstick results were validated against serum beta-hydroxybutyrate measured by a calibrated hand-held ketone analyser. Dipstick sensitivity for identifying subclinical ketosis was 71% and specificity was 88% using serum beta-hydroxybutyrate at or above 1.2 mmol/L as the reference standard. Positive predictive value was 79% and negative predictive value 82%. Logistic regression confirmed body condition score at calving as a significant modifying variable. Despite modest sensitivity, the dipstick's low cost, field portability, and no requirement for electrical equipment support its adoption as a preliminary screening tool. This study recommends its use within a tiered diagnostic protocol for transition cow management at South East Nigeria smallholder dairy operations. Keywords: urine dipstick, ketosis, transition cows, cow-side diagnostics, Enugu State.