1. Pinkeye in Cattle Dr. W. Dee Whittier Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

2. Pinkeye or Infectious Bovine
Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK)

3. Pinkeye
205-Day Weights for Calves with Normal Eyes and with Pinkeye. Four-year average.
Normal Pinkeye Pinkeye
Eyes One Eye Both Eyes No
Wt. (lbs.)
Decrease (lbs.)
Decrease % 4% 10%
Killinger et. al., Veterinary Medicine 72: (1977)

4. Pinkeye
Differences in Live Weight in Calves with Pinkeye and without Pinkeye.
Age Difference in Wt. (lbs)
Thomas et. al. , British Vet. J. 39:931 (1978)

5. 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

6. Average Loss to Pinkeye - Treatment Costs
- Injectible antibiotics - Veterinary fees
- Topical ointments - Labor to corral, treat
- Patches
Treat 3 cases @$35.00 = $105.00

7. 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 lb discounted $20.00/cwt = $100.00
DISCOUNT TOTAL = $166.68

8. Average Loss to Pinkeye - TOTAL COSTS
Weight Gain Losses $
Treatment Costs $
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

9. Breed Risks for Pinkeye
Purebred Breed Rate* Crossbred Breed Rate*
Angus Angus X (not BWF) 0.68
Charolais 3.74 BWF 6.67
Hereford 6.63 Hereford X(not BWF) 9.57
Holstein 5.40 Charolais X 2.79
Shorthorn 2.65 Zebu X 1.20
Webber & Selby, JAVMA 179: (1981).

10. 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.

11. b. Sunlight (eye pigment) c. Tall grasses/pollen
Pinkeye
Cause:
1. Irritation to eye
a. Face flies
b. Sunlight (eye pigment)
c. Tall grasses/pollen

13. d. Bacterial infections (Niesseria, Mycoplasma)
Pinkeye
Cause:
1. Irritation to eye
d. Bacterial infections
(Niesseria, Mycoplasma)
e. Viral Infections (IBR, others)
f. Nutritional Deficiencies

14. 2. Moraxella bovis, Moraxella ovis 3. Secondary Infections
Pinkeye
Cause:
2. Moraxella bovis, Moraxella ovis
3. Secondary Infections
4. Immune Reactions

17. 1. Change in cells that cover cornea 2. Ulcer - hole through 1st layer
Pinkeye
The Disease:
1. Change in cells that cover cornea
2. Ulcer - hole through 1st layer
3. Pain - eye closed

18. Pinkeye
The Disease:
4. Watering of eye
5. Heal or Complications

29. Complications: 1. Enlargement of ulcer 2. Perforation of ulcer
Pinkeye
Complications:
1. Enlargement of ulcer
2. Perforation of ulcer
a. Iris plugs
b. Eye collapses

32. Pinkeye
Complications:
3. Fibrin - Scar
4. Glaucoma

33. Treatments: 1. Topical a. Avoid, irritating b. Short-lived
Pinkeye
Treatments:
1. Topical
a. Avoid, irritating
b. Short-lived
2. Protect the Eye
a. Patches
b. Shade

34. Commercial patch for Pinkeye Treatment

36. 3. Injectable Antibiotics
Pinkeye
Treatments
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

37. Tetradure 300 mg/ ml Oxytetracycline 3 cc/100 lb.
Metaphylaxis push – 5-7 days
Better than LA-200?

39. 4. Subconjunctival Injections (under layer that covers the white…in
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

46. 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

47. 3. Prevention of Bacterial and Viral Infections
Pinkeye
Prevention:
1. Face fly Control
2. Pasture Management
3. Prevention of Bacterial
and Viral Infections

50. 5. Preventive antibiotics (oral, inj.) 6. Vaccination ?
Pinkeye
Prevention:
4. Avoidance of Sunlight
and Irritation
5. Preventive antibiotics (oral, inj.)
6. Vaccination ?