Pink Eye

[john91]

We have a hand full of heifers that have pink eye. They were vaccinated in early April, but still got it. They have been synchronized with a MGA program and a due to come home to get their lut shots June 29 and they should be AI July 1-2. Is it okay to give LA 200 at the same time as the cystorelin. I know they should have been treated a couple weeks ago, but have been on pasture that is hard to load/work cattle.

Also, will the pink eye effect conception rates? I know it is obviously not directly correlated to reproduction, but will the stress/discomfort have any effect on breeding results? Obviously best conception rates come from healthy, comfortable females. 

 

[frostback]

I would get fly tags to put in, and patches to put on when they are in the chute too. LA 200 is harsh and you need a lot. Might look for something more concentrated because yes, a happy unstressed cow has better conception rates.

 

[john91]

I guess my question was can you give an antibiotic at the same time as lut

 

[frostback]

yes

 

[chambero]

Antibiotics will reduce conception rates.  I learned the hard way.  But so will being sick.

 

[stumpy]

Oxy tet should not hurt conception but you might look at using tetra dur or a 300 product for longer active control. As well on eye infections I have gotten to love mastitis meds like you can infuse into an udder under the eye lid as well as the injectable. It is easier and at least as effective as pen under the eye lid. With the drought troubles we have had with cheat grass eyes have become a reluctant specialty. Be sure to look for seeds that need to come out too.

 

[Davidsonranch]

So helpful tip I learned from an old Irishman cattleman here in SE Oregon on Pink Eye.  It sounds hokey, but I'm telling you has been the most effective Pink Eye treatment ever for us.  Good old Listerine mouth wash! Not the minty or green stuff, but the good old yellowish stuff that tastes horrible.
- Check eye for any debris or as mentioned before cheat grass, etc
- Put in chute and tie head back to one side or other because they just about jump out of a squeeze when it hits their eye.
-Take syringe and absolutely flush the hell out of the eyes with the Listerine, up, down, pull eye lid up and down
- Be careful to not get in you or your helper's eyes during the flush because you will pee your pants, and run to your mommy crying how bad it hurts.
- Rub some of the Listerine around eyes and head as it also seems to keep flys off.
-Repeat in about 3 days if needed. But I've hardly ever had to do more than two doses.
This is no BS, I'm serious

Now, if the eyes are super bad - like the pink eye has "coned" as we call it, with a severe ulcer, we do the Listerine treatment but also a injectable antibiotic with a tiny needle into both the upper and lower eye lid.  I can't remember the name of the antibiotic off hand, but it is milky white when injected.