help with eye problem

[Davidsonranch]

So I have two calves who currently are presenting similar symptoms as Pink Eye.  My vet says it happens a lot in winter months when feeding hay especially out of feeders. But it's trauma, not Pink Eye.  Heads bumping into each other, hay particles, poking, etc.  So one steer actually has a ulceration on eye similar to pink eye; almost starting to "cone".  Should I treat the same as pink eye, or does someone recommend a different treatment?

 

[chambero]

You can get wheat heads, etc stuck in their eye.  You really need to examine them (flashlight and magnifying glass) to make sure you don't have debris stuck in the eye.  But then flushing and antibiotic should help.  If you think its bad enough, don't hesitate to get a vet.  I've had them glue on the eye covers to get one well.  Losing a good female (or bull for that matter) is easy to do if you let an eye get bad.

 

[cowboy_nyk]

I treated one of my show heifers just the other day for this exact thing.  I gave her antibiotics just like I would for pink eye.  She appears to be getting better fairly quickly.

 

[lightnin4]

I've had this happen twice so far this winter.  The first, I took to the vet and he injected the eye with antibiotics then sewed the third eyelid shut.  The second, I treated daily with antibiotic eye ointment.  Both healed up nicely.
You do need to check for anything in the eye though.  Flush it with water  or saline and/or swab under the eyelids with a damp q-tip.

 

[cowman 52]

Check for a straw, awn, stem or such, sewing the eye shut is a bit much for my doing but, the mastitis ointment under the eyelid, a blue Jean patch over the eye using sale barn tag glue and a dose of penicillin will probably get you where you need to be.

 

[Gargan]

This kinda sounds like IBR to me.

 

[Davidsonranch]

Thanks everyone.  Just have to find a minute to get him in a chute and really look.  I worked on one of the heifers last night.  It amazes me how a cow can damn near suck their eye ball half way inside of their head when you are trying to work on one.  I hope it has not gone far enough to scar or blue the eyes.  P.S. one of the critters is my daughter's steer who we think might be almost blind in one eye already and of course the new problem is in the good eye.  2014 is not off to a good start.

 

[lightnin4]

Check for a straw, awn, stem or such, sewing the eye shut is a bit much for my doing but, the mastitis ointment under the eyelid, a blue Jean patch over the eye using sale barn tag glue and a dose of penicillin will probably get you where you need to be.

If you've never seen the third eyelid sewn shut, it works very well.  Just one stitch with catgut suture to hold the third eyelid over the eye.  The suture disolves in 1-2 weeks and the eyelid opens back up.  Works just like a patch without the trauma of removing the patch.  Working as a vet tech I've been part of hundreds of third eyelid suturings to treat pinkeye or trauma to the eye.

 

[tcf]

Make sure the eye is clean of debris. cut a patch out of some  old jeans, use tag glue. leave the bottom of the patch without glue, put it on the other three sides and slap er on. this will help. glue will come off when you clip their heads after winter/ before a show.

 

[cowman 52]

I've seen many eyelids sown shut, several I've done on my own. 

I can also cut a loaf of bread with a chain saw, but that too might be a little overkill.

 

[lightnin4]

I've seen many eyelids sown shut, several I've done on my own. 

I can also cut a loaf of bread with a chain saw, but that too might be a little overkill.

Not trying to start anything...some haven't experienced it.  Just offering options.