Pinkeye in Cattle Dr. W. Dee Whittier

Virginia-Maryland RegionalCollege of Veterinary

Medicine

Viginia - Mayland Regional College

of Veterinary Medicine

Pinkeye or Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK)

Pinkeye205-Day Weights for Calves with Normal Eyes and

with Pinkeye. Four-year average.

Normal Pinkeye Pinkeye

Eyes One Eye Both Eyes

No. 784 265 120

Wt. (lbs.) 389 378 354

Decrease (lbs.) ---- 11 35

Decrease % 4% 10%Killinger et. al., Veterinary Medicine 72:618-620 (1977)

Pinkeye

Differences in Live Weight in Calves with Pinkeye and without Pinkeye.

Age Difference in Wt. (lbs)

60 -8.8

120 -14.7

180 -15.0

240 -14.3

300 -12.5

360 -11.2

480 -10.1Thomas et. al. , British Vet. J. 39:931 (1978)

Pinkeye

Average Loss to Pinkeye - Gain Losses

5 cases of pinkeye in calves; one eye

@25 lb. (5%) = 125 lbs.

1 case of pinkeye in calves; two eyes

@50 lb. = 50 lbs.

175 lbs. @ $.70 / lb = $122.50

Pinkeye

Average Loss to Pinkeye - Treatment Costs

Costs:

- Injectible antibiotics - Veterinary fees

- Topical ointments - Labor to corral, treat

- Patches

Treat 3 cases @$35.00 = $105.00

Pinkeye Average Loss to Pinkeye - Value Losses

Outcomes:

2 weanling calves with noticeable scars:

- 1 Steer @ 550 lb discounted $5.96/cwt = $32.78

- 1 Heifer @ 500lb discounted $6.78/cwt = $33.90

1 weanling calf with very abnormal eye and blindness:

- 1 Steer @500 lb discounted $20.00/cwt = $100.00

DISCOUNT TOTAL = $166.68

Pinkeye

Average Loss to Pinkeye - TOTAL COSTS

Weight Gain Losses $ 122.50

Treatment Costs $ 105.00

Discount Costs $166.68

TOTAL $394.18

Costs not included: Ineffective preventive costs, production losses to affected cows, decreased value of breeding stock, infertility losses

Pinkeye Breed Risks for Pinkeye

Purebred Breed Rate* Crossbred Breed Rate*

Angus 3.66 Angus X (not BWF)0.68

Charolais 3.74 BWF6.67

Hereford 6.63 Hereford X(not BWF)9.57

Holstein 5.40 Charolais X2.79

Shorthorn 2.65 Zebu X1.20

Webber & Selby, JAVMA 179:823-826 (1981).

Pinkeye Summary

1. A high percentage of Virginia beef cattle producers experience pinkeye disease in their cattle.

2. Significant economic loss results from pinkeye disease.

Pinkeye

Cause:

1. Irritation to eye

a. Face flies

b. Sunlight (eye pigment)

c. Tall grasses/pollen

Pinkeye

Cause:

1. Irritation to eye

d. Bacterial infections (Niesseria, Mycoplasma)

e. Viral Infections (IBR, others)

f. Nutritional Deficiencies

Pinkeye

Cause:

2. Moraxella bovis, Moraxella ovis

3. Secondary Infections

4. Immune Reactions

Pinkeye

The Disease:

1. Change in cells that cover cornea

2. Ulcer - hole through 1st layer

3. Pain - eye closed

Pinkeye

The Disease:

4. Watering of eye

5. Heal or Complications

Pinkeye

Complications:

1. Enlargement of ulcer

2. Perforation of ulcer

a. Iris plugs

b. Eye collapses

Pinkeye

Complications:

3. Fibrin - Scar

4. Glaucoma

Pinkeye

Treatments:

1. Topical a. Avoid, irritating b. Short-lived

2. Protect the Eye a. Patches b. Shade

Commercial patch for Pinkeye Treatment

PinkeyeTreatments

3. Injectable Antibiotics– LA-200® (oxytetracycline) and tulathromycin

(Draxxin ®) are approved drugs

– Best if given early

– Also useful as a preventative; Consider treating all when 10% to 25% of cattle in a group are affected

Tetradure• 300 mg/ ml

Oxytetracycline

• 3 cc/100 lb.

• Metaphylaxis push – 5-7 days

• Better than LA-200?

Pinkeye

Treatments:

4. Subconjunctival Injections (under layer that covers the white…in the eyelid is the same as in the tail.

- Antibiotics - Steroids - Prolonged release

Herd Treatment

• Treatment of an outbreak– > 10 % of herd affected– Move pastures if tall grass– Fly spray to remove all flies– Treat whole herd (just calves?) with long-duration

tetracycline

Pinkeye

Prevention:

1. Face fly Control

2. Pasture Management

3. Prevention of Bacterial and Viral Infections

Pinkeye

Prevention:

4. Avoidance of Sunlight and Irritation

5. Preventive antibiotics (oral, inj.)

6. Vaccination ?