Signup to receive email updates
Recent Posts
Categories
Blog Archives
- April 2018 (2)
- February 2018 (1)
- December 2017 (1)
- September 2017 (1)
- August 2017 (2)
- July 2017 (2)
- May 2017 (2)
- April 2017 (1)
- March 2017 (1)
- February 2017 (2)
- January 2017 (1)
- December 2016 (1)
- November 2016 (3)
- October 2016 (3)
- September 2016 (2)
- August 2016 (4)
- July 2016 (2)
- June 2016 (1)
- May 2016 (4)
- April 2016 (2)
- March 2016 (2)
- February 2016 (2)
- January 2016 (3)
- December 2015 (1)
- November 2015 (2)
- October 2015 (2)
- September 2015 (1)
- July 2015 (5)
- May 2015 (2)
- April 2015 (1)
- March 2015 (1)
- February 2015 (4)
- January 2015 (4)
- December 2014 (1)
- November 2014 (3)
- October 2014 (4)
- September 2014 (2)
- August 2014 (2)
- July 2014 (5)
- June 2014 (5)
- May 2014 (5)
- April 2014 (3)
- March 2014 (3)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 2014 (6)
- December 2013 (3)
- November 2013 (3)
- October 2013 (4)
- September 2013 (2)
- August 2013 (1)
- July 2013 (5)
- June 2013 (3)
- May 2013 (4)
- April 2013 (4)
- March 2013 (4)
- February 2013 (2)
- January 2013 (6)
- December 2012 (3)
- November 2012 (2)
- October 2012 (5)
- September 2012 (5)
- August 2012 (3)
- July 2012 (6)
- June 2012 (6)
- May 2012 (6)
185 Total Posts
follow our RSS feed

Monday, June 4, 2012
Don't be blinded by Pinkeye
Pinkeye has been popping up in herds the last few weeks. Pinkeye is caused by the bacterium Moraxella bovis which is also found in the eyes of healthy cattle. Eye irritation is a key factor in developing pinkeye. Tall/mature grasses, sunlight, dust, and flies all create eye irritation. This year we've had all of those irritants present in cattle herds. In many cases we've had more dust due to dryer weather, more flies thanks to the mild winter, and grasses that headed out early.
The primary culprit of spreading pinkeye is face flies. Thus, fly control plays a major role in prevention of pinkeye.
Early detection of "watery eyes" and infected animals is also important to treating and controlling the disease. Early treatment will reduce eye damage and decrease the risk of the pinkeye spreading throughout the herd.
Treatment of this disease involves long acting tetracyclines (LA 200, Tetradure 300, etc.) and in advanced cases bulbar conjunctival injections of penicillin. There are also powders and sprays that can be applied to the eye.
Prevention tactics should be used extensively to control pinkeye. Vaccinations are available to guard against the major strains of Moraxella bovis. Management practices to help prevent pinkeye include clipping/mowing tall grasses that cause eye irritation, avoiding congregating cattle in drylots and dusty areas, ensure shade is available to reduce sunlight exposure, and controlling flies. Methods of controlling flies include fly tags, insecticide pour-ons, backrubbers with face strips, and feed additives (IGR), and knock down sprays.
The cost associated with pinkeye goes much further than the cost of treatment. Pinkeye results in decreased gains, poorer milk production, and is an added stressor to the immune system of cattle. Older numbers have shown that pinkeye costs an estimated $150 million just in the United States. With the value of pounds in today's market, don't let pinkeye cost you.
For more detailed information on Pinkeye, the stages, treatment, and prevention methods click here: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/oardc/downloads/43489.pdf