Pinkeye Shield XT4, Vaccines for Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK)
Posted on Aug.18, 2010, under Veterinary Drug
Pinkeye Shield XT4 Protects against pinkeye caused by Moraxella bovis. Convenient 2 ml IM dose. New one-dose administration, with no booster required. Indications: For use in healthy cattle as an aid in the prevention of pinkeye caused by Moraxella bovis.
Moraxella bovis is a Gram-negative, aerobic, oxidase-positive diplococcus that is implicated in infectious keratoconjunctivitis in cattle, also colloquially known as Pink Eye. The bacteria Moraxella bovis (M. bovis) is the most common cause of pinkeye in cattle; however, other microorganisms also cause the disease.
Transmission of M. bovis and other pinkeye agents occurs through direct contact with an infected animal, and indirect transmission by contaminated flies, dust and other objects. The bacteria are located in the eyes and nasal cavities of infected cattle and secretions from these areas are a source of infection for other cattle.
In cattle, Moraxella bovis with multiple serovars is the most commonly recognized cause of infectious keratoconjunctivitis. Most other ocular infections of cattle are characterized by conjunctivitis and minimal or absent keratitis. The primary differential diagnosis is infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), which causes severe conjunctivitis and edema of the cornea near the corneoscleral junction, but corneal ulceration is uncommon.
Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis with corneal ulceration in the cow. Courtesy of Dr. Kirk N. Gelatt
IBK is most often seen in summer and early fall. This is most likely because ultraviolet light and face flies are the two most important contributing factors. Ultraviolet light causes nuclear fragmentation and corneal epithelial loosening, which enhances the ability of M. bovis to colonize the cornea.
Animal management is the most effective and economical way to prevent pinkeye. Fly control is an extremely important part of pinkeye prevention. Fly control methods include using chemical insecticides, in the form of tags, sprays, or dusts bags; and minimizing fly populations by manure and plant control. PRODUCT DETAILS
