Protect Your Cattle From Pinkeye

Vaccines Can Help Fight Pinkeye-Causing Bacteria in Cattle Herd

Jennifer Carrico
By  Jennifer Carrico , Senior Livestock Editor
Vaccines can help with cattle pinkeye prevention. (DTN/Progressive Farmer file photo by John Howle)

REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Pinkeye is one of the most common and painful health problems in cattle herds. Pinkeye prevention management can help with losses.

Four different bacteria are commonly present when pinkeye becomes a problem. These are Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma bovoculi, Moraxella bovis, and Morexella bovoculi, according to Kansas State University veterinarian Gregg Hanzlicek. Finding the right prevention measure can make a big difference in the health of the cattle.

He said pinkeye cases are seen when the integrity of the cornea is broken, which allows the bacteria to enter the underlying layers of the eye and start an infection. Once there is an eye injury, producers must remain vigilant to avoid an escalating infection, Hanzlicek said.

"At first, you will see runny eyes. Infected cattle are also sensitive to light, so they will hold their eyes shut," he said. "As the disease progresses, an ulcer can develop in the cornea. If the infection persists, that crater can become deeper and deeper until things in the eye -- like the iris and the lens -- start falling out or prolapsing, and then the eye's shape will change. Vision never returns at that point."

The infection can go from mild to severe within two to three days. The earlier the infection is treated, the more likely the eye will be saved.

PINKEYE TREATMENT HELPS PREVENT FURTHER LOSSES

North Dakota State University Extension veterinarian and livestock stewardship specialist Gerald Stokka said infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), is one of the most painful and common cattle diseases. The economic impact results from a loss in production, reduced weight, decreased milk production, and devaluation of sale animals when eyes are disfigured.

"Numerous physical factors can cause pinkeye to become more of a problem," he said. These factors include the breed and age of the animal, ultraviolet light exposure, wind and pollen, pasture conditions, and other upper respiratory infections. Calves tend to be more susceptible to pinkeye than older cows or bulls. Face flies are also a factor in the spread of disease within the herd.

"Early indications of a problem include increased tearing and squinting," Stokka said. "The clear surface portion of the eye may become cloudy or white, and an ulcer may develop in the cornea."

Antibiotic therapy, fly control and management of contributing environmental factors are the best treatment methods. Covering the eye with a cloth patch glued over the face may make the animal more comfortable by decreasing the sunlight irritation. This can also help decrease the spread of disease.

Vaccinations can help prevent disease within a herd. Commercial vaccines have been available to ward off pinkeye for a long time. A recent push toward personalized programs that use farm-specific bacteria could lead to fewer localized outbreaks, according to Hanzlicek.

"An autogenous, or prescription, vaccine is where a veterinarian collects eye swabs from affected animals, and the bacteria found are sent to a lab where they grow that bacteria colony," he said. "Then a specific vaccine is created using the organisms on that ranch. There are a lot of field reports where these products seem to be very, very effective."

While other bacteria can be present in the eyelid tissues as well as environmental conditions affecting the animal's immune system, the vaccines can help as well. Herd veterinarians should be contacted when dealing with health issues such as pinkeye.

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

Jennifer Carrico