11/08/2026
π Pinkeye in Cattle (Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis)
Pinkeye, also called infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), is a highly contagious eye disease of cattle that primarily affects the conjunctiva and cornea.
π¦ Cause
* Main causative agent: Moraxella bovis
* Other organisms may contribute, including Moraxella bovoculi and Mycoplasma spp.
* Flies are important mechanical vectors.
β οΈ Predisposing Factors
* Face flies and other insects
* Dust and foreign bodies
* Ultraviolet (UV) sunlight
* Tall, dry grass
* Poor hygiene and overcrowding
* Irritation or trauma to the eye
ποΈ Clinical Signs
* Excessive tearing (epiphora)
* Frequent blinking and squinting
* Redness and swelling of conjunctiva
* Photophobia (avoids bright light)
* Corneal opacity/cloudiness
* Small corneal ulcer that may enlarge
* White/yellow spot on the cornea
* Severe cases β corneal rupture and blindness
π¬ Pathogenesis
Bacterial infection β conjunctivitis β corneal ulceration β corneal opacity β healing/scarring or, in severe cases, corneal rupture.
π Treatment
Treatment should be started early:
* Appropriate topical or systemic antibiotics under veterinary guidance
* Eye protection/eye patch when appropriate
* Control inflammation and pain as directed by a veterinarian
* Remove foreign bodies if present
* Severe corneal ulcers require urgent veterinary treatment
π‘οΈ Prevention & Control
* Fly control is very important
* Reduce dust and eye irritation
* Maintain good hygiene
* Isolate affected animals when practical
* Early detection and treatment
* Vaccination may be useful in some herds depending on local disease patterns and available products.
π Important
Pinkeye can spread rapidly through a herd and may cause temporary or permanent blindness. A cloudy or red eye is not always IBK, so differential diagnoses such as trauma, foreign body, IBR, and other infectious keratoconjunctivitis should be considered.
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