Pink eye is a year round, common problem in cattle herds (reported to be the most common eye disease in breeding cows and calves, and is second only to scours for pre-weaned calf conditions). Learning more about where it comes from, how it spreads, and the biology of your animals can help reduce and prevent both “summer pink eye” and “winter pink eye” on your farm.
Cattle pink eye, (infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis or IBK), is most often caused by a couple strains of moraxella bacteria. Moraxella bovis is typically the culprit behind summer pinkeye, while moraxella bovoculi is often blamed for winter pinkeye. Similarly to humans, who can catch pink eye with a bad cold, some IBK cases can also be caused by viruses and upper respiratory infections.
Unfortunately, some cattle can also become asymptomatic carriers. The organisms that cause IBK can go dormant in their bodies for many months and even over winter before flaring back up again in their herdmates.
IBK is spread easily through face flies, close proximity at feeders or in stables, or through any secretion coming from mucus membranes (eyes, noses, and vaginal tissues). Normal, healthy eyes have defenses against pathogens, but any sort of physical trauma to the eye can allow bacteria and viruses to penetrate the cornea. Watch for even mild eye injuries from transport or handling, scratchy bedding material, aggressive or defensive behavior, or their environment.
There are multiple stages to IBK and there can be some symptomatic differences between bacterial and viral infections.
Some mild ulcers can heal and clear up, but most likely will still cause permanent vision problems. No healing is possible in stage 3 and most vets will recommend removing the affected eyes completely.
Because pink eye is very difficult to stop when it has started spreading through a herd, prevention is the most effective course of action.
Once you have identified cattle experiencing acute pink eye, begin supplementing with an iodine mineral mix right away.
“Cattle possess an enzyme system present in respiratory tract, udder and mucous membranes that naturally forms potent antimicrobial products when supplemented with iodine as a substrate.” (UC Davis)
So, offering extra iodine helps boost the natural immune response in your cattle’s airway secretions and tears. For livestock supplements, you will often see iodine present as Ethylenediamine dihydriodide (or EDDI) in the ingredients.
Face flies and biting flies can easily carry harmful pathogens for a few days, even from neighboring properties. Fly control is going to be an important preventative step in reducing pink eye exposure.
Selenium, copper, and zinc are vital for maintaining eye health. Livestock vets have found that with these deficiencies:
“the number of pinkeye and foot rot cases will be greater and the severity will be worse. Be sure your mineral program is working, as this is important in the animal’s immune response.” (UCD Vet Views, California Cattlemen’s Magazine)
“Vitamin A deficiency and inadequate protein intake may be other factors that possibly contribute to lessened resistance to eye infections.” (University of Nebraska)
Between the 2 main bacteria that cause pink eye, M. Bovoculi is less sensitive to common antibiotics and sometimes even drug resistant. If using antibiotics, work closely with your vet to make sure treatment is started early enough to make a difference. For viral infections, even with extensive lab testing, it can be very difficult to isolate the exact viral strain causing IBK in time for a vaccination to be helpful. Click to learn more about cattle pinkeye vaccinations.
Since the 1950s, Redmond has been helping farms of all sizes improve the health and production of their animals. We know that mineral deficiencies can lead to a variety of health problems. We also know that our unique mineral deposit in central Utah contains the best foundational minerals nature can offer.
Redmond High Iodized contains our full spectrum of sea minerals and is fortified with 1500 ppm of EDDI to help kickstart your cattle’s natural immune response.
Redmond 10 Fine with Garlic offers natural pest prevention and minerals all in 1 product. Easy to offer year round to help repel biting flies, ticks, and other pests away from your animals. Plus, it does not affect the taste or quality of their milk!
Redmond Beef Mineral has the perfect fortifications for supporting post pink eye health, with extra selenium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, cobalt, copper, iodine, zinc, and vitamins A, D and E.
Let’s hear from some farmers and ranchers that have noticed a marked improvement in pink eye prevention in their herds while using Redmond:
Gene in Gilette, Wyoming is happy to report that when they feed Redmond to their cows, they have no pink eye, no foot rot, no sick calves, and so few open cows that they don't even preg check cows anymore.
“I have been using the Redmond trace mineral salt for the past two years and can’t be happier with the results...As far as cattle go I have not had to doctor a cow or calf for foot rot or pink eye out on our range ground. In the past, on the other salts, I was averaging about 2 a week during the summer months and in early fall when the flies get real bad I was doctoring 7-8 a week for pink eye. I say this about the salt though, it seems the cows do go through it faster than the other but the way I look at that, it's a lot cheaper than having lame or blind cows or calves that aren’t growing.” -Cure, member of Ranchers.net
With our naturally delicious mineral mixes, you can be sure that your herd will love Redmond. Give us a call today at
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