Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Infectious Keratoconjunctivitis Welfare

Pinkeye (infectious keratoconjunctivitis) causes significant ocular pain in cattle and can result in blindness without treatment.

Key Facts

Moraxella bovis and related bacteria cause pinkeye affecting cornea and conjunctiva
The disease causes severe photophobia, excessive tearing and corneal ulceration
Flies transmit the pathogen between cattle and management of fly populations reduces transmission
Prompt antibiotic treatment prevents permanent corneal scarring and blindness
Vaccination and fly control are primary preventive approaches

Welfare Considerations

Infectious keratoconjunctivitis causes significant acute and chronic ocular pain. The progression to blindness without treatment represents severe long-term welfare compromise. Prompt recognition and treatment before corneal damage becomes permanent is the critical welfare intervention.

What You Can Do

Monitor cattle for signs of eye discharge and photophobia to detect pinkeye early
Treat affected cattle promptly with appropriate antibiotic under veterinary guidance
Implement fly control programmes in seasons when pinkeye transmission risk is highest