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

Pinkeye or Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK)

Pinkeye 205-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 -10.1 Thomas et. al. , British Vet. J. 39:931 (1978)

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

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

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

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

Breed Risks for Pinkeye Purebred Breed Rate* Crossbred Breed Rate* Angus 3.66 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 179:823-826 (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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pinkeye Complications: 3. Fibrin - Scar 4. Glaucoma

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

Commercial patch for Pinkeye Treatment

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

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

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

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

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

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