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This Is How To Treat Pinkeye In Cattle
Season 3 Episode 159
It’s the Ranch It Up Radio Show. We dive into our discussions on Pinkeye and how to treat it. We have lots of news you need to hear, cattle sale updates, cattle for sale, and sale reports, and this week’s top hand. Join Jeff 'Tigger' Erhardt, the Boss Lady Rebecca Wanner aka 'BEC', and our crew as we bring you the latest in markets, news, and Western entertainment on this all-new episode of the Ranch It Up Radio Show. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcasting app or on the Ranch It Up Radio Show YouTube Channel.
EPISODE 159 DETAILS
Some say that Pinkeye is just a necessary evil that we have to face in the cattle business, or is it? We are joined again today by Dr. Jeff Sarchet with Zoetis to discuss how to treat pinkeye. There are many options from the vaccine to treating the injected eye. We share out winner of the Ranch It Up Radio Show Top Hand along with a market recap and updates from Stockmen’s Livestock Exchange and the Producers Livestock Marketing Association and cattle for sale on LivestockMarket.com. Plus, the weekly market recap with Kirk Donsbach with Stone X Financial, Inc. We have it all for you in this jam-packed episode of The Ranch It Up Radio Show! As always Tigger & BEC and the Ranch It Up crew dive into the latest agriculture news, rodeo action not to miss, and cover the cattle markets.
WHAT CAUSES PINKEYE IN CATTLEPreventing traditional summer pinkeye in cattle involves eliminating the many eye irritations listed in this report. Identifying and taking steps to resolve physical hazards in your operation, including face fly control, may be more effective than pinkeye vaccinations. Offer protection from the sunlight by providing adequately sized shade and allow cattle to graze at night when face flies are not active. Make sure mineral consumption is adequate months before the pinkeye season. Selenium, copper, and zinc are vital for maintaining eye health. Be vigilant and immediately isolate the first case of pinkeye. Seek a veterinary diagnosis. Develop a treatment and prevention plan with input from your veterinarian.
WHAT IS PINKEYE
The scientific name for pinkeye is infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK). It is a disease of cornea (eye surface) and the conjunctiva (eyelids). IBK is reported as the most common cause of eye disease in all breeding females and calves more than three weeks old. It is second only to calf scours, the most prevalent condition affecting pre-weaned calves (Dewell).
According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the first clinical signs of any eye irritation, including IBK, is often tearing, tear staining, and eyelid squinting. Tearing often increases as the pinkeye progresses. IBK may suddenly appear as an opaque spot on the cornea, making early recognition difficult. Conjunctivitis is sometimes seen but not in every case. Corneal ulceration may occur as pinkeye progresses.
Some cases of IBK spontaneously resolve. Others result in severe damage to the cornea and blindness. IBK is costly and labor intense to treat. Suffering cattle have decreased appetite because of pain or decreased vision and the inability to locate food and water. Cattle with scarred or ‘blue’ eyes with prolapsed corneas, or blind cattle have reduced value at the market.
ASSOCIATED PINKEYE FACTORSNormal eyes have adequate defense mechanisms to prevent infection and subsequent corneal ulceration. Any form of eye irritation allows pathogens to penetrate the cornea:
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Physical trauma from aggression between animals, overcrowded bunks, self-feeders; handling d
Published on 2 years, 1 month ago