Pinkeye doesn’t just look nasty. It can affect your cows’ performance and rob you of significant profits. Pinkeye infected dairy cows may drop as much as 25 percent in milk production, plus they can lose significant weight and body conditon.1

 

Pinkeye, the common name for infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), continues to be prevalent throughout the United States and is considered a major economic health problem for the cattle industry. While it is most  common in summer, it may occur during any season. Pinkeye expert and researcher John A. Angelos, D.V.M., Ph.D., of the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine believes that with proper management strategies the disease can be prevented or treated, thereby reducing its economic impact on dairy producers. He recommends that you work with your veterinarian to develop a pinkeye prevention plan for your dairy.

 

“Your veterinarian may be the most important part of your prevention plan,” he says.  “You should get your veterinarian’s advice about prevention before an outbreak.” Dr. Angelos tells us to include these main topics when you talk to your veterinarian about pinkeye-prevention: Fly control; use of vaccines; use of disinfectants; tools and supplies needed; treatment protocols; and any prescriptions you may need. Following are some specific suggestions regarding prevention and  control of pinkeye from Dr. Angelos:

 

• Fly control — Reducing face fly infestations is extremely important for pinkeye prevention. Face flies are efficient in transmitting pinkeye agents from animal-to-animal. “One such agent is Moraxella bovis, an organism that has been proven to cause pinkeye in cattle,” explains Dr. Angelos.

• Disposable latex gloves — When examining the eyes of cattle, always use disposable latex gloves, a freshpair for each animal examined. Without this protection, pinkeye agents on your hands may spread to other animals you handle.

• Disposable needles and syringes — Use disposable needles and syringes when treating or vaccinating a pinkeye-infected animal, and dispose of them properly to help prevent contamination of other animals.

• Clean clothing — Clothing can easily become contaminated with pinkeye agents. Dr. Angelos recommends treating any pinkeye or potential pinkeye cases after you have completed daily, routine handling procedures on healthy animals. If that isn’t possible, change clothes after handling pinkeye cattle and before handling normal cattle.

• Disinfectants — Always use an effective disinfectant on any equipment that comes in contact with a pinkeye infected animal.

• Vaccines — Vaccines can be very effective in the prevention of pinkeye. Dr. Angelos reminds us again to talk to your veterinarian about the most effective vaccination program for your specific situation. Keep in mind too that it typically takes about one month for immunity to develop, and some vaccines require two doses to be effective. Sobe sure to vaccinate well before the start of pinkeye season, and always read and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

 

Dr. Angelos believes that by creating and implementing a pinkeye prevention can reduce the negative health and economic consequences of the disease.