Page 19 - MWC 8-10-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · August 10, 2023 · P19
The Different Sides of

Pinkeye Treatment

By Russ Daly, SDSU Extension Veterinarian, State Public Health Veterinarian

to cure pinkeye. We’ve since irritants such as flies and
found that most of these old strong sunlight make sense.
topical treatments—as well These include gluing patches
Pinkeye (or infectious ker- matory medications to relieve as most “home remedies” out over the eye as well as surgi-
atoconjunctivitis) is a scourge pain should be considered also. there--don’t work and prob- cal procedures such as third
that most cattle operations The fact that most pinkeye ably irritate the eye as much eyelid flaps or eyelid suturing.
will deal with at some point. cases are found out on pasture, as help. A particular challenge Those procedures should be
Regardless of the type of cattle far from working facilities, cre- is that the short duration of performed with proper local
affected or time of year, preven- ates obvious challenges to the action of topical treatments anesthesia by a veterinari-
tion always beats treatment. use of systemic antibiotics. By means that in order to be ef- an. Simply isolating affected
But, as cattle producers and far the best option is to restrain fective, they need to be applied animals and providing them
veterinarians quickly point the animal in an appropriate frequently. shade is effective, too.
out, preventive efforts directed chute in order to administer Some approved products, Prompt antibiotic treat-
toward this disease sometimes treatment. This allows other however, appear to be helpful ment—possibly including
fail. Decisions then need to be procedures, like those listed in promoting healing. These some of the other procedures
made about treatment. below, to be completed as well. are specifically formulated for listed above--of animals affect-
Pinkeye in this context re- Some cattle producers have use in the eye and are avail- ed with pinkeye is still key to
fers to infections of the surface employed tools such as dart able through veterinarians. preventing long-term damage
of the eye with bacteria such guns and crossbows to admin- When getting ready to apply to the eye and providing relief
as Moraxella bovis. Since this ister antibiotics from a dis- something to the painful eye to the animal. Discuss with
is a bacterial infection, antibi- tance in a pasture situation. of a calf, ask yourself whether your veterinarian the best way
otics are the hallmark of pink- This veterinarian is admit- that is something you would to go about this in your herd
eye treatment. Beyond that, tedly conflicted about the use put into your own eye. this season.
what other considerations are of these implements. On one
there? hand, it’s hard to ensure that 4. Protective measures
Producers contemplating the injection is BQA- or car- Procedures aimed at pro-
pinkeye treatment should cass-friendly, as well as that tecting the damaged eye from
first have a conversation with the animal gets the proper
their veterinarian. Most of the dose, when darts are used. On
“wives’ tales” and home reme- the other hand, if that’s the
dies for pinkeye have potential only way an animal is going
to do more harm than good. At to get a necessary treatment, Located 45 mi. SE of Kansas City, Mo on 58 Hwy. east at
the very least, run your plan their proper use is preferable Modern Kingsville Livestock Auction Center at Kingsville, MO
past your veterinarian before to letting the animal suffer.
trying something new. 2. Local treatment
Pinkeye Treatment: Four This involves a subconjuc- Make Plans To Attend Our
Aspects tival injection of penicillin or
Let’s consider four different a similar antibiotic in the af- Special Cow &
aspects of pinkeye treatment. fected eye. What we’re talking
Prompt treatment of acute about here is not a simple
cases (eye is still tearing) is im- “injection under the eyelid”. Bull Sale
portant to minimize long-term A small dose of antibiotic is
effects of chronic infections. injected under the outside
Treating cattle with white layer of the bulbar conjunctiva
spots (corneal scarring) but no (“white” of the eyeball). This
active redness or tearing is not appears to be an effective ad-
productive, as the active infec- junct to systemic therapy, but Saturday, Sept. 23rd
tion is not present anymore. it’s somewhat unclear exact-
1. Systemic treatment ly how it works. Some people 11:00 am
This involves injections feel that the small amount of
(subcutaneous or intramuscu- antibiotic that leaks out into
lar) of antibiotics, which work the tears kills bacteria on the
through the system of the ani- surface of the eye. Regardless,
mal, concentrate in the cornea, this is a treatment that should All Consigners & Buyers Welcome
and kill the bacteria, allowing be reserved for a veterinarian
the eye to heal. Tetracyclines to perform—with good patient Call 816-597-3331 Office
are often quite effective. Other restraint in a chute. Rick, Jeremy or Jared Anstine
prescription antibiotics can be 3. Topical treatment 816-258-3421 • 816-716-9288 • 816-878-5229
employed if necessary. Often, Through the years, produc-
antibiotic injections alone are ers have squirted purple liq- Website: www.kingsvillelivestock.com • email: anstineauction@gmail.com
enough to successfully treat uids and puffed yellow pow-
pinkeye. Systemic anti-inflam- ders into eyes in an attempt