Causative agents
- In cattle: Moraxella bovis
- In sheep and goats: Rickettsia conjunctivae
Epidemiology
The disease is highly contagious and may occur in epizootic form. Young animals are more susceptible, and cases are more common during the summer.
Several factors can contribute to the onset and severity of infection:
- Exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
- Vitamin deficiencies, particularly vitamin A deficiency.
- Concurrent infections such as IBR, chlamydiosis, and mycoplasmosis.
- Exposure to flies, mosquitoes, or dust.
Clinical signs and lesions
The disease may affect one or both eyes. Early signs include a watery, serous discharge, sensitivity to light, and inflammation and swelling of the eyelids. The eyelids may later close and become painful.
The discharge increases and becomes purulent. After 2–4 days, the cornea may become cloudy and swollen. As the disease progresses, a yellowish area may appear in the center of the cornea, surrounded by a white zone. The cornea may become cone-shaped due to increased intraocular pressure.
In advanced, severe cases, the cornea may ulcerate and perforate, causing temporary or permanent loss of vision. Animals may recover spontaneously within 1–2 weeks, or recovery may take 1–2 months, depending on the severity of the infection.
Differential diagnosis
- Malignant catarrhal fever.
- Adenovirus infection.
- Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR).
- Chlamydiosis.
- Mycoplasmosis.
- Parainfluenza.
Treatment
- Protect the eyes from sunlight, dust, and flies.
- Use eye drops or ointments containing one of the following: chloramphenicol, penicillin, streptomycin, bacitracin, tetracycline, or cloxacillin.
- Injectable antibiotics may be used, including tetracycline preparations such as Oxydima 10%, Oxydima 20%, or Oxydima 30%, or one of the other antibiotics listed above.
- In severe cases, administer sulfonamide preparations intravenously, such as Neotin, at a dose of 100 mg/kg.
- Provide vitamins, particularly vitamin A, through drinking water (Newmitalvit or Maxifor Plus) or by injection (Acdivit).
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