Commercial vaccines are available for preventing pinkeye. Insecticide eartags have been shown to be of benefit and dust bags and feed-through products that control face fly larva should also be considered. Clipping old tall pasture and controlling dust will also aid in reducing eye injury. Treatment should include protection of the eye and a localized anti-bacterial that can act against the M. bovis. An eye patch applied with adhesive usually works well.
Patches are also available commercially.
Call our office or consult with your veterinarian for detailed information on a subconjunctival injection. Preventing pinkeye infections through good herd management, a fly control program and controlling dust and tall grass heads will help reduce pinkeye. Economic costs of an infection can be severe. This is the second of two articles written by Dr. Bob BonDurant, Professor and Chair, Department of Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis. The articles originally appeared in the California Cattlemen's Magazine.