Veterinary technical advisor with Coopers Animal Heath, Dr Damian O’Brien, says, beef and dairy producers can take preventative action by using the new Piliguard® vaccine, as part of an integrated program for the pinkeye prevention which involves:

• Limiting the fly population by using fly-repellents.

• Moving susceptible stock to paddocks with low manure levels.

• Avoiding yarding of animals in dry, dusty conditions

• Minimising the use of eye-irritating supplementary feeds such as dry, rank pasture hay.

• Prompt segregation and treatment of any pinkeye affected animals.

Dr O'Brien says, “At this time of year, and especially where cattle are being supplementary fed, the disease can quickly spread from animal to animal.

“A sudden increase in the fly population, following storms, can further spread the pinkeye bacteria (Moraxella bovis) from herd to herd.”

He says pinkeye is a highly infectious disease of beef and dairy cattle that results in eye inflammation, ulceration and possible blindness.

The disease can appear sporadically and once present, is notoriously difficult and expensive to treat.

Dr O’Brien says younger animals are particularly susceptible, especially if they are under some form of stress.

He concluded, “Weaning and transporting are two critical times where pinkeye can sweep through a herd, with serious productivity and animal welfare implications – besides the cost and anxiety of treating affected stock.”

SOURCE: Breaking national livestock news from Rural Press weekly agricultural papers, updated daily on FarmOnline.