Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis Flashcards
What causes infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (pinkeye)? What are 4 other possible organisms associated?
Moraxella bovis
- Chlamydia
- infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (bovine herpesvirus-1)
- Mycoplasma
- Neisseria catarrhalis
(can make disease more severe or make it easier for M. bovis to cause secondary infection)
What genetic factor contributes to pinkeye development in cattle?
lack of pigmentation around the eye results in UV damage and subsequent inflammation, thus sensitizing the eye to infection
- Hereford cattle are now bred for pigment around the eyes due to pinkeye and SCC
What are the 3 major environmental factors that contribute to the development of pinkeye in cattle?
- excess UV light - lack of pigmentation around the eye
- flies - irritate the eye by feeding off secretions and serve as a vector
- dust and plant material - airborne irritants, mechanical vectors, overhead feeders irritate the eye
What 3 species of flies can act as vectors of pinkeye in cows?
- Musca domestica - house fly
- Musca autumnalis - face fly, remains infected for 3 days after feeding on infected secretions
- Stomoxys calcitrans - stable fly
What are 4 modes of transmitting pinkeye in cattle? When is infection most common?
- direct contact
- flies
- inanimate objects
- infected and asymptomatic carriers harbor infection in nasal secretions
summer and fall - increased flies, UV light, and pollen production
What clinical signs are indicative of pinkeye in cattle?
- conjunctivitis
- blepharospasm
- epiphora
- blindness due to corneal opacity or rupture
- inappetence, weight loss
- decreased milk production
- small opaque region in the center of the cornea progresses to deep central ulceration (perforated cornea is uncommon)
How is pinkeye in cattle diagnosed?
conjunctival swab and lacrimation secretion culture
What treatment is labeled for pinkeye in cattle? What are some other options?
Oxytetracycline
- Ceftiofur (Naxcel) SQ
- Penicillin subconjunctivally
- Florfenicol IM
- Tulathromycin SQ
What surgical options are available for treating pinkeye in cattle?
third eyelid flap or tarsorrhaphy
What are 4 ways to eliminate environmental factors that contribute to the development of pinkeye in cattle?
- protect eyes from UV light b using a glue-on eyepatch
- control fly populations with face masks and ear tags
- grass, weed, and brush control to minimize mechanical irritation
- eliminate overhead feeding
Other than environmental factors, what is important to control when trying to prevent pinkeye in cattle?
other predisposing diseases –> vaccinate for BVD and IBR + isolate infected animals
How are vaccines for pinkeye in cattle?
mixed results - if both humoral IgG and secretory IgA directed at M. bovis antigens are present, protection appears to be present
- not consistently effective, no widespread use
