Farm & Ranch
Pinkeye
By Barry Whitworth, DVM / Area Food/Animal Quality and Health Specialist for Eastern Oklahoma
Pinkeye is properly called infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) in cattle, which translates to an infection that causes inflammation of the surface of the eye and the tissues surrounding the eye. Pinkeye can affect cattle at any age, but it is much more of a problem in young cattle because they have not yet had the opportunity to develop immunity to it.
Although cases can occur any time of year, it is more prevalent in the summer because that is the time of greatest irritation and the time for the presence of vectors. Although pinkeye is not fatal, it results in very significant economic losses due to costs of treatment, poor performance, and in the case of blindness, the value of the animal is decreased.
The infection is primarily due to the bacteria Morexella bovis, but other bacteria such as Morexella bovoculi and Mycoplasma spp have been implicated.
Respiratory virus infections, particularly Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), can be part of the picture by either causing an inflammatory eye condition that predisposes the animal to the more severe bacterial infection, or by acting as secondary invaders that make bacterial damage even worse.
To read more pick up a copy of the October 2021 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM
Having backyard poultry is a popular agriculture enterprise. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 0.8 percent of all households in the United States have chickens. People keep chickens for a variety of reasons with table eggs being one of the more common reasons.
Unfortunately, some of these poultry producers are not aware of the hazards that come with keeping poultry because many times they carry pathogens but appear healthy.
Chickens are carriers of several zoonotic diseases. These are diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. According to a recent survey in Pennsylvania, a majority of backyard poultry producers were aware of the dangers of avian influenza. However, this study also revealed that far fewer producers were aware of the risk of possible exposure to Salmonella and Campylobacter.
The lack of knowledge about the hazards of raising poultry likely contributes to the continued issues of Salmonella outbreaks associated with backyard poultry. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,072 illnesses of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry, and 272 of those patients required hospitalization. Oklahoma reported 43 individuals with the disease.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Tressa Lawrence
Babies are tucked away in every nook and cranny. Many ranchers across Wyoming have baby animals popping up all over this time of year.
By Lindsey Monk
Another load of grain in to keep feeding the calves until the green grass can really start popping.
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