With a wet summer coming to a close, pink eye is as much of a threat as ever. Pink eye, or Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), is a bacterial disease of the eye in cattle (though another form can be found in goat herds as well). The disease is usually not fatal, though the economic damages from decreased weight gain, decreased milk production and treatment were estimated to be at least $150 million per year in the United States alone.
According to Lance Kirkpatrick, a University of Arkansas Extension agent, pink eye is a common disease affecting cattle of all ages, but is most prevalent in calves. “The infection causes inflammation of the tissue lining of the eyelid and the eyeball itself,” he said.
It is important to watch out for the early warning signs of pink eye – which include eyelid swelling, redness and increased tear flow or excessive watery discharge from the infected eye. The cow may also be squinting the eye because of painful sensitivity to light and the animal is likely to seek shade or a darkened area. Kirkpatrick encourages producers to treat pink eye early, immediately upon noticing the initial symptoms, in order to prevent long-term damage to the cattle, “because as the disease progresses a decrease in productivity will be evident as the animal grazes less as a result of the pain and discomfort caused by pink eye.” If left untreated the animal will experience poor vision and possibly blindness, which lead to decreased performance.
The best treatment is early treatment. Kirkpatrick added, “Producers will want to use a treatment program that will care for and protect the infected eye as well as target the bacteria causing the initial problem.” Some of the approved products to treat pinkeye include the long-acting tetracycline products (for example, LA-200, Biomycin 200) or tulathromycin (known as Draxxin), etc. These products should be delivered according to label directions in terms of dose and route. Kirkpatrick suggested 4.5 cc/100 lbs of body weight. He also noted that antibiotics can be administered to the affected eye by a topical application or by injection into the outer lining of the eye. (Though the latter should be done under guidance of a veterinarian). Talking to your herd’s veterinarian is a good way to determine the best treatment plan for your cattle.
Kirkpatrick continued, “Pink eye is most commonly transmitted from animal to animal by face flies that carry the bacteria for up to three days after exposure. However, for multi-species producers, it is important to note that pinkeye is not transmittable between goats and cattle due to the different bacteria that cause the disease in each species.”
Preventative measures to eliminate face flies are a good way to decrease transmission of pink eye between cattle. Face flies are attracted to the excessive watering of the eye, so it follows that the flies occur more often when pink eye is present. Again, the quick spread of the disease is another reason it’s important to watch for early warning signs and treat the symptoms early. Kirkpatrick recommends controlling fly populations with ear tags, dust bags or pour-on meds. Vaccines are also available to help prevent pink eye. However, with vaccinations, producers are encouraged to consult with their veterinarian to ensure the product is being used properly. Also, some vaccines may require a booster dose to be effective the first year. It’s also important to note that vaccines will help lower the occurrences of pink eye, but may not totally eliminate it in the herd.
Kirkpatrick concluded, “Although it may seem time consuming or an added expense, treatment and prevention of pink eye may just be the key to increased production and profits when it comes time to market your livestock.”
