Had my first ever case of New Forest Eye today. I check my cattle twice a day and fortunately I noticed something not right at an early stage and the vet has caught it early. Unfortunately it is with my breeding bull, so he's feeling sorry for himself at the moment.
Symptom I first noticed was one eye lid drooping slightly compared to the other. On further investigation the eye seemed slightly irritated but nothing overly serious.
So worth keeping up with Spot-on and trying to reduce incidence of flies. I administred Spot-on a few days ago, but should have done it sooner as its been over a month since the last lot. Lesson learned.
Colin
New Forest Eye
I don't know if this is significant or not, but I was convinced last year that my lot all had a dose of NFE. However, having noticed two or three with what looked like a nasty dose of cataracts and swollen eyes, I ordered the necessary medication from the vets, which I still have. The infected - one cow, one steer, and my bull, all seemed to clear up in a couple of days. Admittedly, this was in last October, but having had several cases of NFE in my sheep, I thought I couldn't be too careful. I still don't know what was causing the problem, but whatever it was it came and went within the space of a few days with no treatment whatsoever?!?!??!?!?
Has anyone else any experience similar to this????
Has anyone else any experience similar to this????
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Colin
- Posts: 324
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:42 pm
- Location: Cwmdrysien Herd, New Forest, UK
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NFE can be very nasty. Here's something I've found on the internet:
“What is New Forest Eye?
New forest eye is an eye infection in cattle.
The disease is primarily caused by the bacterium Moraxella bovis.
Cattle of any age can be infected.
The disease is seen most commonly in young stock and yearlings during the Summer months.
The highest rates of infection are seen in low lying, wet pastures with a high fly population.
The bacteria can be spread by flies.
Factors such as long grass and dusty conditions can cause eye damage which allow the bacteria to attach to the eye of the cattle.
Symptoms at The Early Stages
Excess tear production, with staining on the side of the face.
Dislike of bright sunlight.
Closed eyelids.
Symptoms At The Later Stages
Surface of eye becomes cloudy and white.
An ulcer develops, usually in the centre of the eye.
The ulcer may rupture causing loss of the lens and sight in the eye.
This condition may be extremely painful, resulting in lower weight gain.”
This is an extremely painful and irritating infection which should be treated quickly.
Seek advice from the vet for the correct diagnosis and treament of the animals.
“Treatment
A wide range of topical antibiotics, applied daily, can cure the infection. (Check with the vet for which antibiotic to use.)
Subconjunctival antibiotic injections can sometimes be very helpful. (These injections should only be given by a vet.)
Early treatment is essential in order to prevent irreversible damage to the eye.
Prevention
Good fly control is necessary for prevention of New Forest Eye Disease.
Pasture management is necessary so that cattle are kept away from areas where conditions attract flies.
Cattle should be frequently checked during the risk periods.”
The vet gave my bull an antibiotic injection into his eyelid and ointment. His eye is not yet back to normal but has improved a little. I'm monitoring him very closely.
Colin
“What is New Forest Eye?
New forest eye is an eye infection in cattle.
The disease is primarily caused by the bacterium Moraxella bovis.
Cattle of any age can be infected.
The disease is seen most commonly in young stock and yearlings during the Summer months.
The highest rates of infection are seen in low lying, wet pastures with a high fly population.
The bacteria can be spread by flies.
Factors such as long grass and dusty conditions can cause eye damage which allow the bacteria to attach to the eye of the cattle.
Symptoms at The Early Stages
Excess tear production, with staining on the side of the face.
Dislike of bright sunlight.
Closed eyelids.
Symptoms At The Later Stages
Surface of eye becomes cloudy and white.
An ulcer develops, usually in the centre of the eye.
The ulcer may rupture causing loss of the lens and sight in the eye.
This condition may be extremely painful, resulting in lower weight gain.”
This is an extremely painful and irritating infection which should be treated quickly.
Seek advice from the vet for the correct diagnosis and treament of the animals.
“Treatment
A wide range of topical antibiotics, applied daily, can cure the infection. (Check with the vet for which antibiotic to use.)
Subconjunctival antibiotic injections can sometimes be very helpful. (These injections should only be given by a vet.)
Early treatment is essential in order to prevent irreversible damage to the eye.
Prevention
Good fly control is necessary for prevention of New Forest Eye Disease.
Pasture management is necessary so that cattle are kept away from areas where conditions attract flies.
Cattle should be frequently checked during the risk periods.”
The vet gave my bull an antibiotic injection into his eyelid and ointment. His eye is not yet back to normal but has improved a little. I'm monitoring him very closely.
Colin
Colin Williams
Cwmdrysien Herd
New Forest
Cwmdrysien Herd
New Forest
I thought one of my cows had New Forest Eye last night, it was running alot, the eye itself looked murky rather than cloudy and the lid was swollen. So I asked the vet to check it out this morning to be on the safe side although it wasn't running much this morning, she was keeping it tight shut against the sun.
It turned out to be Iritis. A condition affecting the Iris, the muscle that opens and shuts the pupil, so I have put her in the shed out of the sun for a few days and the vet has given her a long term injection.
Stephanie
It turned out to be Iritis. A condition affecting the Iris, the muscle that opens and shuts the pupil, so I have put her in the shed out of the sun for a few days and the vet has given her a long term injection.
Stephanie
Stephanie Powell
Duffryn Dexters 32824
Abergavenny
https://www.facebook.com/Duffryn-Dexter ... 609196773/
Duffryn Dexters 32824
Abergavenny
https://www.facebook.com/Duffryn-Dexter ... 609196773/
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Duncan MacIntyre
- Posts: 2372
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:38 am
- Location: Isle of Bute, Scotland, UK