Pink eye?

joshf · #1 10/26/13, 10:52 AM

Two of three heifers had a little bit on green eye guck first thing this am. These are photos from a few hours later (the jersey that had looked a little gunky didn't, but the other two were watering more).
Would you guess pink eye/ Best method of treatment (angus won't come close, so doing almost anything to her will suck).

G. Seddon · #2 10/26/13, 11:44 AM

Hard to see if it's pinkeye....likely not. Do a search on this board for pinkeye cause I've posted info about it numerous times. Or Google pinkeye in cattle and look for the VA Tech info on it, complete with a bunch of photos! (Sorry, just saw your post and I am on my way out the door.....)

BoldViolet · #3 10/26/13, 11:54 AM

If it IS pink eye/conjunctivitis, terramycin is an ointment often used to treat it. If you can't get it at Tractor Supply (there's been a shortage, and I haven't seen it there lately), you can find some on ebay.

myheaven · #4 10/26/13, 01:24 PM

Around here most farmers put dura pen (penicillin) under the upper eyelid. 1 x a day for 3 days.

G. Seddon · #5 10/26/13, 07:33 PM

joshf, here's a copy of a post from not too long ago, and it includes the VA Tech info:

You can vaccinate for it...might not be foolproof, but it can't hurt.
http://www.addisonlabs.com/products/...e-bacterin.php

http://www.merck-animal-health-usa.c...30_121070.aspx

Keep pastures mowed to avoid irritation of long grass in eyes.

Maybe something in this article will help you?
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/400/400-750/400-750.html

ksfarmer · #6 10/26/13, 08:14 PM

Is it dry and dusty where you are.? Looks more like minor irritation to me.

joshf · #7 10/26/13, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksfarmer

Is it dry and dusty where you are.? Looks more like minor irritation to me.

No just the opposite. the weather has turned cold and damp in the last week Western PA in late october. the wife thinks it is pink eye but I am unsure. Ill read all of the links provided. thanks to all.

topside1 · #8 10/26/13, 08:52 PM

Pinkeye is more of a summer problem when flies are prevalent. Tall grass or hay stems are more than likely causing the problem I see. My guess.

**gone-a-milkin** · #9 10/26/13, 09:06 PM

Keep an eye out for runny noses and snuffly breathing.
Sometimes the runny eyes cn be a precursor to pneumonia or other respitory stuff.
Watch for fevers.

ufo_chris · #10 10/27/13, 12:25 AM

Was it really windy ? I've noticed similar signs on mine when it gets really windy ....

agmantoo · #11 10/29/13, 01:46 PM

It is not pinkeye IMO. Too dry and the eyes are not watering excessively.

karenp · #12 10/29/13, 06:24 PM

My heifer's eyes look the same, and I was also wondering. It seems to be worse some days than others not progressively worse so I was thinking probably not pinkeye. I'm glad to have some confirmation. It's hard to tell about the snuffly breathing, she kind of "snuffles" at me when she wants to be petted or fed.

ycanchu2 · #13 10/29/13, 07:56 PM

If you can't get close enough, mix up some salt water in a sprayer/garden sprayer and spray her eyes......its not as harsh as it sounds and won't hurt em.

alecl · #14 11/14/13, 04:34 AM

Like others have said, it doesnt look like pink eye.
It could be anything. My guess is either some sort of fever or parasites.

cybercat · #15 11/23/13, 12:13 PM

The natural preventive for cows here is to keep a goat in the field. They eat the grass and brush that cause pink eye. We were told this by a local farmer.

G. Seddon · #16 11/23/13, 01:47 PM

cybercat, grass and brush do not cause pinkeye, but long grass can contribute to eye irritation. Pinkeye is caused by a bacterium called Moraxella bovis carried by flies from cow to cow. Very contagious, can be quite painful and should be treated promptly. Here's more information:
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/oa...oads/43489.pdf

alecl · #17 11/25/13, 05:32 AM

Your local farmer might have been having you on I think

topside1 · #18 11/25/13, 07:52 AM

Cyber, you need to seek out a new mentor...Goats are amazing animals, but lack formal medical training....But in the defense of your "local farmer", goats will eat down and kill most tall weeds that may have a chance of poking a cow's eyes. Enjoy the work week...Topside

65284 · #19 11/25/13, 03:39 PM

Treat pinkeye and it will clear up in about 10 days. Do nothing and it will clear up in about a week and a half.

G. Seddon · #20 11/25/13, 04:23 PM

Benign neglect may work in some cases, but why, oh why, would you choose to ignore something very painful for the animal and potentially contagious to the rest of your herd? Did you look at the photos in the articles that I posted?

I understand when people elect not to treat ringworm or warts, but I cannot condone ignoring a painful condition that could cause blindness in the animal. Sorry, but that is just plain wrong!!!

It takes ONE injection of a long-acting tetracycline at the first sign of a problem to fix it!!!

Edited to add:
For those who don't want to spend money on your cattle to properly care for them, perhaps this article on the economic impact of pinkeye will convince you otherwise.
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/AnimalSciences/pubs/id135.pdf