Infectious Keratoconjunctivitis (Pink Eye) in Cattle: Welfare Management

Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis causes painful corneal ulceration and temporary or permanent blindness in cattle, requiring prompt welfare-focused treatment.

Key Facts

• Moraxella bovis is the primary pathogen of IBK, spread by face flies and direct contact
• Affected cattle show excessive tearing, eye closing, and photophobia before corneal ulceration develops
• Corneal ulceration is extremely painful and can progress to perforation and permanent blindness
• Antibiotic treatment (oxytetracycline, tulathromycin) is effective if given early
• Fly control is the most important preventive welfare measure in grazing cattle

Welfare Considerations

Pink eye in cattle causes acute corneal pain that significantly impairs welfare and production. The progression from initial ocular discharge to corneal ulceration involves escalating pain — cattle with deep corneal ulcers show severe eye-closing, reluctance to graze in bright sunlight, and impaired ability to navigate terrain and find feed. Temporary or permanent blindness in one or both eyes causes social disruption, feed intake reduction, and fall injuries. Welfare-optimized IBK management requires daily inspection of cattle faces during fly season, immediate treatment of any eye with ocular discharge or cloudiness, and effective face fly control using pour-on products and ear tags. Eye patching after treatment protects the cornea and reduces photophobic distress.

What You Can Do

• Inspect cattle faces daily during summer fly season for signs of eye discharge or cloudiness
• Treat affected animals immediately with systemic oxytetracycline or tulathromycin
• Apply eye patches after antibiotic treatment to protect ulcerated corneas and reduce photophobia
• Implement face fly control using insecticide ear tags, pour-on treatments, and face dust bags
• Vaccinate with Moraxella bovis bacterins in herds with recurring IBK problems