Pinkeye with Dr. Brent Meyer

DocTalk

Welcome back to "Doc Talk"! In today's episode, we're focusing on a reoccurring issue for cattle ranchers—pink eye. Join Dr. Dan Thomson and beef cattle medicine expert Dr. Brent Meyer as they dive into the causes, treatments, and prevention strategies for this common and costly cattle ailment. Dr. Meyer, a seasoned veterinarian and technical services expert with Merck Animal Health, shares his extensive knowledge and practical tips from his years of experience in Northwest Iowa.

Key Topics Covered:
1. Understanding Pink Eye in Cattle:
- Causes and how it manifests in cattle.
- Major organisms responsible: Moraxella bovis, Moraxella bovoculi, Mycoplasma bovis, IBR, and coronavirus.

2. Economic Impact:
- Pink eye costs the beef industry around $150 million annually.
- Losses include reduced weaning weights and market value.

3. Treatment Strategies:
- Importance of early intervention.
- Effective antibiotics and application methods.
- Additional treatments like eye patches and third eyelid suturing.

4. Vaccination and Timing:
- Key vaccines available and their timing for optimal effectiveness.
- Administer vaccines 45-60 days before peak fly season.

5. Fly Control:
- The role of flies as vectors.
- Effective use of fly tags, pour-ons, and feed-through IGRs.
- Strategic timing and application to maximize impact.

6. Environmental Management:
- Managing pasture conditions to reduce eye trauma.
- Importance of shade and minimizing UV exposure.
- The impact of internal parasites on immunity and disease susceptibility.

Practical Tips:
- Properly time vaccinations and fly control measures.
- Maintain pastures to reduce physical eye trauma.
- Utilize effective fly control strategies and environmental management.
- Regular deworming to ensure overall cattle health and immunity.

Stay tuned for more valuable insights and practical advice from Dr. Meyer on how to keep your herd healthy and thriving. Don't forget to consult with your local veterinarian for tailored advice and treatment plans.

Watch "Doc Talk" for more episodes on cattle health management!** Visit us at [www.doctalktv.com](http://www.doctalktv.com) for more resources and information.

Thanks for watching, and we'll see you down the road!

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