Cattle eye problems

6 posts
Mon, 05/07/2018 - 20:49 #1

Member for

11 years 10 months
Shannon
Last seen: 05/13/2018 - 20:47
Joined: 12/27/2012 - 12:34

Cattle eye problems

Hi, Just chasing some information on eye problems in cows. We have found two young steers each with one cloudy eye. I didn't notice any discharge out of the eye. But as we are new to cattle farming I am wondering if anyone can explain the difference between eye problems and what we need to look for. We are thinking it will be either pink eye or a grass seed in the eye. I can't find any symptom list for what happens if the cow does have a grass seed stuck. Also assuming it is pink eye (we have quarantined these two steers in the yards), how long after treatment should we keep them in the yards for? Any/all advise is welcome. Thanks in advance
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Wed, 05/09/2018 - 11:23 #2
admin
Last seen: 11/13/2024 - 10:09
Joined: 02/28/2011 - 14:19

Hi Shannon,

Welcome to the small farm forum.

It is most likley to be pineye which is more pronounced during periods of dry, dusty weather and when there are high fly populations. Grass seeds in the cattles eye's tend to be post Spring as the barley grass is dropping it's seeds. I would try and keep them isolated for at least 7-10 days and also water the yards to keep the dust down. You can also buy pink eye patches and treatment for cattle which can be applied directly onto the animal's eye whilst its head is held in the crush.

Be sure to let us know how you get on.

Regards,
Charlie

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Sun, 05/13/2018 - 20:43 #3
Shannon
Last seen: 05/13/2018 - 20:47
Joined: 12/27/2012 - 12:34
Thanks Charlie, It was pinkeye. We are currently treating them with antibacterial eye ointment every second day and they're slowly getting better. We're lucky that our yards are quite new and are covered in grass, thus minimising the dust. We had the Vet out to assess our beasts, and said it has been a really bad year for flies in SE Qld and also for pinkeye. The flies have also appeared to be resistant to some of the poor ons. We're desperately waiting for the cold weather to quell the flies. Hopefully we've got on top of it and can have all the steers out in the paddock soon Cheers Lisa
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Mon, 05/14/2018 - 09:34 #4
admin
Last seen: 11/13/2024 - 10:09
Joined: 02/28/2011 - 14:19

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for the update, I'm pleased to hear that you have sort some professional advice and commenced treatment.

Sounds like it is dry in SE Queensland similar to us here in Central NSW, let hope for some rain.

Regards,

Charlie

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Sun, 09/09/2018 - 20:07 #5
vricha
Last seen: 09/10/2018 - 06:56
Joined: 04/28/2016 - 07:26
Hi, Our two young steers have just developed slightly puffy eyes with a small amount of discharge. We are in Gippsland, Victoria, so it is not particularly dusty but we have had quite a lot of windy weather. We do not have many flies at the moment. Could this be pink eye? What is the first step to treating this? Thank you.
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Mon, 09/10/2018 - 17:36 #6
admin
Last seen: 11/13/2024 - 10:09
Joined: 02/28/2011 - 14:19

Hi,
I think it would be unlikley to be pinkeye if there is not dust or flys around.

Is there anything else in the paddock that could cause eye irritation like thistles?

Regards,

Charlie

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