Which of these would not be associated with ketones in the urine?

• A. Hemolysis
• B. Lactating cows
• C. Starvation
• D. Diabetes mellitus

Answer: (A)

Ketone bodies in urine reflect increased fat breakdown when carbohydrate supply is limited or insulin action is impaired. Starvation drives the body to use fat for energy, producing ketones that appear in the urine. Diabetes mellitus, with insufficient insulin, also promotes lipolysis and ketone production, leading to ketonuria. In lactating cows, especially high-producing ones early in lactation, negative energy balance can cause ketosis and ketones in urine. Hemolysis, the destruction of red blood cells, does not generate ketone bodies in the urine; it causes other findings such as hemoglobinuria, not ketonuria. So the condition not associated with ketones in the urine is hemolysis.