This has been one of the wettest years in the Ozarks and one ramification is deeply affecting our cattle: Cancer eye has been especially prevelant this year. Livestock Specialist for the University of Missouri Extension Office, Gary Naylor and County Extension Agent for the University of Arkansas Extension Office, Johnny Gunsaulis describe what toll cancer eye takes on cattle and what farmers can do to bring about the most worth from their livestock.
Naylor explained that cancer eye “is a tumor of the eyelid that moves into the eyeball creating not only an unsightly cow, but also one of no value.”
“Cancer eye is similar to pink eye, but worse,” Gunsaulis said, and “sore and watery eyes, swelling, and excessive flies around the cows faces,” are symptoms of cancer eye. Cancer eye is generally found in – but is not exclusive to – light-hided cattle (with light-pigmented skin around their eyes) such as Holsteins and Herefords.
Both Gunsaulis and Naylor agree that viruses can cause cancer eye but there are other causes. One of the causes can be moisture. “Moisture is good in many ways,” said Gunsaulis, “but it can create too much growth which cause abrasions where flies come in and feed off the tears, leaving bacteria in the eye.” Another cause of cancer eye can be sunlight.
"Sunlight is a common cause of cancer eye, along with nutrition,” Naylor said.
Finally, cancer eye can be a problem related to susceptibility because of genetics – ie: weak immunity, eye pigmentation, – which as Naylor pointed out, could be very damaging to the worth of the livestock.
Gunsaulis suggested that farmers keep seed heads down to prevent abrasions, get their cattle vaccinated for both Black Leg and Pink Eye, and have a good fly control program in place in order to ward off cancer eye from the cattle who aren't genetically exposed to the tumors. And Naylor warned farmers should always try to catch it early and sell off infected cattle to ensure farmers get the most from their herds.
If farmers do catch the cancer eye early enough there are many options for them to consider. “Some suggest treating the eye with antibiotics and covering it with a patch,” said Gunsaulis, “and Tetracycline is said to clear up the tumor.” Naylor suggested either “removing the eye completely or freezing the eye to kill the tumor.” “Either way,” he warned, “Cancer eye devalues your cattle.”
Cancer eye is unsightly as well as dangerous. Naylor asserted, “this is like cancer in people,” and should not be treated lightly. Farmers should keep a close eye on their cattle watching for the signs of cancer eye because if it is caught early then the success rate of treating it can run very high.
