Watery eyes in a calf: causes and diagnosis, how to treat and prevent

A feature of the eyes of a cow is their spherical shape and large size. In the structure of the eyes of an animal and a person there is a lot in common: the presence of the so-called protein, cornea, lens, retina, vitreous fluid. Common is also a common disease - conjunctivitis. The reasons that a calf has watery eyes may be other pathologies, as well as mechanical, chemical and toxic damage.

Why are the cow's eyes watery

Conjunctivitis is the most common cause of watery eyes in cows. The pathology is inflammatory in nature and develops as a result of the accumulation of bacteria in the lacrimal sac.

Factors favoring the onset of disease:

• sudden temperature changes;
• lack of nutrients;
• weak protective functions of the body;
• infection in the eyes;
• mechanical damage to the mucous membrane;
• irritation of the conjunctiva due to chemicals in the eyes;
• accumulation of dirt in the conjunctival sac;
• improper functioning of the lacrimal gland;
• allergic to high protein content in tear fluid;
• Severe drying of the conjunctiva, causing pathogenic bacteria to multiply on the surface of the eye.

The cause of red eyes in newborn calves or adults can be the following diseases:

1. Keratitis. Inflammation of the cornea.
2. Belmo (leukoma). Turbidity occurs as a result of the growth of tissues covering the eyes, which leads to a violation of the integrity of the membrane and the appearance of scars. The fabrics are layered on top of each other and do not let light through - the calf does not see anything.
3. Thelaziosis. It develops as a result of infection with helminths (nematodes). Infection usually occurs in summer.
4. Eye inflammation due to bacteria carried by flies and mites. In the summer, parasites often infect the eyes of animals.
5. Chlamydia, catarrhal fever, smallpox and other infections.

The shell of the cow's eye is often exposed to internal and external negative factors:

• unclosed eyelids due to calf injury;
• metabolic disorders and diseases of internal organs;
• irritation of the conjunctiva by substances that fill the surrounding air (due to poor cleaning of the room, lack of ventilation, smoke, spraying disinfectants, etc.);
• development of a fungal infection that enters with rotting food, bacteria that accumulate in the conjunctival sac.

The following factors contribute to the appearance of an eyesore on a cow:

1. Severe intoxication of the body.
2. Infectious diseases.
3. Eye contact with pathogens.
4. Thelaziosis. The helminth enters the eyeball, violating its integrity.
5. Erosion of the stratum corneum due to mechanical damage (trauma, burn).
6. Irregular structure of the eyelids (pathology can be congenital or acquired). For example, non-closure of the eyelids.
7. Sudden increase or decrease in intraocular pressure.
8. Autoimmune diseases.
9. Age changes.

How to diagnose the disease

You can determine if a cow has a problem by the appropriate signs.

Conjunctivitis is characterized by symptoms:

• redness of the affected area under the eyelids;
• redness of the inner surface of the eyelid;
• in some cases, damage to the cornea (gives the diseased area a lilac tint);
• swelling of the conjunctiva;
• clouding of the shell (leukoma has a characteristic light color that becomes yellowish over time);
• cow hardly opens a sore eye;
• tearing;
• photophobia;
• itch;
• involuntary muscle contraction.

Cow walleye development is preceded by symptoms:

• strong lacrimation;
• conjunctivitis;
• puffiness of the eyelids;
• photophobia (due to increased pupil sensitivity);
• redness of the eye shell.

Thelaziosis is characterized by the following symptoms:

• inflammation of the conjunctiva;
• festering;
• clouding;
• pain in bright light;
• tear secretion.

When keratitis is observed profuse lacrimation, clouding of the lens, photophobia. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by an experienced veterinarian after a careful examination.

Treatment of eye diseases in cattle

Conjunctivitis is easy to treat at first. If you wash your eyes in time, the disease will disappear in a couple of weeks. When a cow's eyes fester, complex treatment is necessary:

• washing with a solution of furacilin;
• application of medicinal ointments;
• administration of local anesthesia;
• antibacterial therapy.

In advanced cases, surgery is required - to remove the accumulated pus and prevent the onset of blindness.

To treat thelaziosis in a cow or calf you will need:

• antibiotics;
• washing with a solution of boric acid and potassium iodide;
• antiparasitic drugs (Tetracycline, Chlorophos).

When keratitis is prescribed, washing with a solution of boric acid, orbital blockade, vitamin complexes.

Fish-based products will help get rid of walleye:

• Lizol;
• "Ichthyol".

Possible danger

The greatest danger is rotting of the eyes (panophthalmitis - purulent inflammation of all tissues). Treatment in this case is useless, and the only thing that can be done is to remove the affected eye.

Any neglected eye disease can lead to loss of vision. Even an ordinary allergy, which provokes profuse lacrimation and clouding of the membrane, causes partial blindness.

If treatment is not started in time, the thorn will surely lead to complete loss of vision.

Problem Prevention

The main measures to prevent eye diseases in cows are:

1. Regular (twice a year) and total deworming of cows.
2. Elimination of flies, ticks and other pests that carry disease. Sheds are treated with chemical solutions.
3. Vaccination.
4. Keeping barns clean and dry. You need to remove manure 1-2 times a day.
5. Regular eye checks.
6. Make sure that calves and adult cows do not injure their eyes.
7. Choose safe places to run.
8. Remove dangerous items from cowsheds that could hurt the cow's eyes.
9. Give youngsters Tetramisol, Albendazole.
10. Isolate sick animals from the herd.
11. Remove food leftovers in time.
12. Provide quality and varied food.
13. Use insect repellants. Treat the skin and eyes (it is important that the ointment does not irritate their sensitive surface).
14. Shed floors should be wooden (this measure will help keep the room warm and reduce the risk of infection and inflammation) and have a slight slope (to allow dirt and sewage to drain).

If a cow has watery eyes, redness and suppuration, then this is a clear symptom of the disease. It is important to detect the problem in time and take action. Inaction will lead to the development of pathology and loss of vision. In addition, the whole herd can suffer, as some infections are easily transmitted from one animal to another. A cow should be treated by an experienced specialist.

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