Bright Sunlight May Add to Pinkeye Problems

One of the truly costly diseases affecting the cattle industry is pinkeye. There can be serious economic impact to herds due to decreased growth rates, reduced milk production and a decline in value of feeder cattle or purebred breeding stock. Once thought to be only a summertime disease in white-faced cattle, pinkeye occurs at all seasons of the year and in all breeds of cattle. Moraxella bovis is the common infectious agent causing pinkeye. Pinkeye can be transmitted several different known ways, from direct contact with involved animals or indirectly by insect vectors (face flies).

Pinkeye may be present any time of the year, but it is usually more prevalent during the summer months. Bright sunlight seems to add to the problems as well as dry, hot, dusty conditions, or tall grass with pollen and seed heads or other irritations. Herd symptoms may vary, but a rapid spread through the herd is common. Runny eyes, inflammation of the conjunctiva or lining of the eyelid and eyeball and ulceration of the cornea are common.

An effective pinkeye control program should incorporate procedures to reduce initial eye irritation. Controlling face and horn flies is a major starting point for prevention. Control methods include ear tags, dust bags, oilers or insecticide sprays. If using ear tags, keep in mind that flies in some areas are resistant to pyrethroids. Switch to tags containing the organophosphates - diazinon, pirimiphos-methyl or fenthion. Clip pastures, if practical, to keep seed heads low and manage watering/shade areas to keep fly populations under control where manure and/or moisture collect. For confined cattle, keep farmsteads clean, and remove manure and spilled feed from under fences and feed bunks. Crowding of calves increases the chance of infective contact. Cattle with pinkeye can be easily treated if done promptly. Don’t have economic losses this year due to pinkeye infections.

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