Fall’s short days and cool nights combined with the grouping of cattle, increases the risk of pinkeye. Fly control is essential to reduce the risk of pinkeye, says A.J. Tarpoff, Kansas State University beef veterinarian. Effective fly control plans may include insecticide sprays, special ear tags or cattle rubs.
“Flies work to cause pinkeye in two different ways,” he said. “First, they can irritate the eyes directly by flying around and irritating the cornea. Secondly, flies directly feed on the secretions from the eye. Once they feed off of those secretions, they pick up the bacteria and take it over to another animal and infect that animal, too.”
Source: Kansas State Extension, October 6, 2016.
Moraxella bovis has many types and sub types, which also presents challenges. Vaccines only have certain strains and are not all cross protective. In some cases they are very helpful but if given too late in the year or if a vaccine is for a different strain, it will not work.
Also see: Pinkeye remains a challenge in the fall, Animal Health Digest, August 22, 2016.
INSIGHTS: Addison Biological Laboratories, an AHD sponsor, is highly recognized for its work with the many types and subtypes of Moraxella bovis. J. Bruce Addison, president and founder, recently demonstrated to AABP members the proper technique of obtaining a pinkeye culture using this instructional video.