Eye And Other Diseases

Eye And Other Diseases

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29 years ago

As sheep in feedlots are kept in close proximity to each other, infectious diseases can spread rapidly. Feedlotters should treat these illnesses at the first sign of infection.

“Diseases of the eye in ruminants are either infectious or non-infectious. Of the infectious ones there is only one organism of importance in South Africa, Moraxella bovis.

“This disease occurs mainly in summer. It starts with a runny eye. Eyelids are closed to prevent irritation from sunlight. Within two days, the eye becomes opaque, the animal can’t see and a red protrusion develops on the eyeball.

“Pronounced arterial development from the white part of the eyeball develops towards this red protrusion. In severe cases, the eye may burst; the intra-ocular fluid drains out and permanent blindness occurs.

“Moraxella is mainly transmitted by flies, which accumulate around the animal’s eyes. The disease spreads from sheep to sheep, even to cattle, goats, pigs, poultry and horses, and because flies can be carried long distances by wind, it can spread from farm to farm.