Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Fly Control and Pink Eye Prevention

Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (pink eye) caused by Moraxella bovis is spread by face flies and causes painful eye inflammation that significantly affects cattle welfare.

Key Facts

Pink eye affects primarily young cattle in summer when face fly populations peak
Severe cases cause corneal ulceration, panophthalmitis and permanent blindness
Prompt treatment with topical or systemic antibiotics resolves most early cases
Fly control reduces transmission between cattle and incidence of new infections
Ultraviolet light exposure may increase susceptibility in cattle without eye pigmentation

Welfare Considerations

Pink eye causes acute welfare harm through painful eye inflammation and corneal ulceration. Severe cases lead to blindness - a permanent welfare consequence from a treatable condition. Face fly control reduces disease incidence, and prompt treatment prevents progression from mild inflammation to permanent eye damage. Cattle should be monitored during fly season for early signs of pink eye to enable prompt intervention.

What You Can Do

Implement face fly control programmes during the summer fly season
Monitor cattle daily during fly season for signs of eye infection
Ensure prompt veterinary treatment of early pink eye to prevent corneal ulceration