Keys to Pinkeye Prevention
The most important reason to control face flies on cattle is to help control pinkeye, a highly contagious, infectious, bacterial disease of the eye caused by Moraxella bovis (M. bovis). Other microorganisms initiating pinkeye inclue Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, and Acholeplasma, or viruses such as the Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus, which can either add to the severity of the disease process or may serve as predisposing factors permitting a secondary infection with M. bovis.
John Maas, Extension Veterinarian, University of California, Davis, says its critical to vaccinate well ahead of pinkeye season. He recommends planning ahead so the last dose of vaccine is administered 30 days before fly season. He also advises to be sure and vaccinate the calves, as they are often the ones most at risk for pinkeye infection.
Maas emphasizes strict sanitation procedures when examining an animal's eye and to use disposable latex exam gloves.
"After you've touched the eye, extracted the foxtail or other irritant, and treated the eye, throw the gloves away," he says. "They will have become badly contaminated with pinkeye bacteria. If you used a halter or nose tongs to restrain the animal, disinfect the equipment as well."
Three Simple Steps
Like many diseases, management is often the most effective and economical method of disease control. When environmental conditions, animal nutrition, and herd immunity are properly managed, animal health increases and disease frequency decreases.
Extension veterinarians from around the country point to three simple steps that can reduce the chance of pinkeye infection in the cattle herds:
- Maximize herd immune status through optimum nutrition, a proper vaccination program, and decrease the distresses of weaning, shipping, and handling.
- Minimize the concentration of M. bovis through the use of an effective vaccine that will prevent disease and eliminate carriers, through early disease detection, effective treatment, and isolation of all affected animals.
- Maintain an optimum irritant-free environment.
For single-dose protection against pinkeye caused by Moraxella bovis in cattle two months of age or older, AgriLabs offers I-Site XP. Two mL of the prior vaccine is administered subcutaneously prior to the onset of pinkeye season. An annual booster is recommended.
When using this product and all other animal health products, follow the standard Beef Quality Assurance administration practices and be aware of all label indications.