Eye Problem

bjreroberts · Post by **bjreroberts** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:29 am

Checking the cattle last night I noticed one of them had a bit if a watery eye and some gloopy white sleep in the corner.

Checked again in the daylight this morning and there is no weeping, but still some white gunk in the corner; the eyball itself looks fine and there is no apparent discomfort.

Any ideas what this might be before I call the vet?

welshdexterboy · Post by **welshdexterboy** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:32 am

I am sure Duncan could tell you when he comes online but I think it is probably they have had a tail swished in their eye or a slight knock. It is too late IMHO to think of new forest. What say you Mr Duncan? ??? ??? :D

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:41 am

very similar signs can be caused by bacterial infection often from big bale silage and often involves listeria (but don't panic) . I usually treat it the same as genuine New Forest Eye which is less likely now that flies are not so active. Or it may be a one off physical injury. If it continues to improve tomorrow leave it alone, if it is still bothering the beast have your vet look at it. Check all the others too.

Duncan

bjreroberts · Post by **bjreroberts** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:57 pm

Thank you for the advice, it does not seem to be bothering her so I will just keep an eye on it and check the others.

welshdexterboy · Post by **welshdexterboy** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:37 pm

Very funny BJ would that be the weeping one or the good one. :D By the way does any of the others have watering eyes?

welshdexterboy · Post by **welshdexterboy** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:43 pm

By the way Duncan can cattle catch listeria from mouldy bales if they are fed from the floor. Also hay seeds used to be a problem when hay was fed in the racks.

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:32 pm

I think they can get it either direct from the bale, if on the floor they push their heads well into the bale, and of course they rub on each others heads especially if they are tight for space round the feed. Fortunately the eye infection does not often seem to lead to the effects of systemic listeriosis such as head tilt, paralysis of the facial muscles, meningitis or abortions.
Contamination of the silage with soil during the making is thought to increase the liklihood of listeria.

The comment about looking with the good eye or the bad one brings to mind a useful thing to bear in mind when checking cattle for eye trouble - they always look at you with the good eye so tend to turn the bad one away, making it more difficult to spot.

Duncan

bjreroberts · Post by **bjreroberts** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 5:24 pm

Looked better this morning, and even better this afternoon so I think she will be alright.

She is quite happy looking at me with the bad eye, so I don't think it is troubluing her.