Why a calf may have watery eyes, common illnesses and treatment

A special feature of a cow's eyes is their spherical shape and large size. The structure of the eyes of animals and humans has a lot in common: the presence of the so-called protein, cornea, lens, retina, vitreous fluid. A common disease is also conjunctivitis. The reasons why a calf's eyes are watery can be other pathologies, as well as mechanical, chemical and toxic damage.

Why do cows' eyes water?

The most common cause of a cow's watery eyes is conjunctivitis.The pathology is inflammatory in nature and develops as a result of the accumulation of bacteria in the lacrimal sac.

Factors favoring the occurrence of the 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 getting into the eyes;
• accumulation of dirt in the conjunctival sac;
• improper functioning of the lacrimal gland;
• allergy to increased protein content in tear fluid;
• severe drying of the conjunctiva, as a result of which pathogenic bacteria begin to multiply on the surface of the eye.

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

1. Keratitis. Inflammation of the cornea.
2. Belmo (leukoma). Cloudiness occurs as a result of the proliferation of tissues covering the eyes, which leads to disruption of the integrity of the membrane and the appearance of scars. The fabrics are layered on top of each other and do not allow light to pass through - the calf sees nothing.
3. Telaziosis. Develops due to infection with helminths (nematodes). Infection usually occurs in the summer.
4. Inflammation of the eyes due to bacteria carried by flies and ticks. In the summer, parasites often infect the eyes of animals.
5. Chlamydia, catarrhal fever, smallpox and other infections.

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

• not closing the eyelids because the calf damaged them;
• metabolic disorders and diseases of internal organs;
• irritation of the conjunctiva with substances filling the surrounding air (due to poor cleaning of the room, lack of ventilation, smoke, spraying of disinfectants, etc.);
• the development of a fungal infection that comes with rotting food, bacteria that accumulate in the conjunctival sac.

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

1. Severe intoxication of the body.
2. Infectious diseases.
3. Contact with pathogenic microorganisms in the eyes.
4. Telaziosis. The helminth enters the eyeball, violating its integrity.
5. Erosion of the stratum corneum due to mechanical damage (trauma, burn).
6. Incorrect structure of the eyelids (pathology can be congenital or acquired). For example, not closing the eyelids.
7. Sudden increase or decrease in intraocular pressure.
8. Autoimmune diseases.
9. Age-related changes.

How to diagnose the disease

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

The symptoms of conjunctivitis are:

• 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 membrane (leukoma has a characteristic light color, which becomes yellowish over time);
• the cow has difficulty opening her sore eye;
• lacrimation is observed;
• photophobia;
• itching;
• involuntary muscle contraction.

The development of catarrh in a cow is preceded by symptoms:

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

Thelaziosis is characterized by the following symptoms:

• inflammation of the conjunctiva;
• suppuration;
• cloudiness;
• pain in bright light;
• secretion of tear fluid.

With keratitis, profuse lacrimation, clouding of the lens, and photophobia are observed.Only an experienced veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis after a careful examination.

Treatment of eye diseases in cattle

Treating conjunctivitis at first is not difficult. 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 furatsilin solution;
• applying medicinal ointments;
• use of local anesthesia;
• antibacterial therapy.

In advanced cases, surgery is required to eliminate accumulated pus and prevent blindness.

For treatment of thelaziosis in cows or calf you will need:

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

For keratitis, rinsing with boric acid solution, orbital blockades, and vitamin complexes are prescribed.

Products made on the basis of fish oil will help get rid of the cataract:

• "Lysol";
• "Ichthyol."

Possible danger

The greatest danger is from 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 advanced eye disease can lead to vision loss. Even an ordinary allergy, which provokes excessive lacrimation and clouding of the membrane, causes partial blindness.

Prevention of the problem

The main measures to prevent eye diseases in cows are:

1. Regular (twice a year) and universal deworming of cows.
2. Elimination of flies, ticks and other pests that carry diseases. The barns 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 for walking.
8. Remove dangerous objects from the barns that could injure the cow's eyes.
9. Give young animals Tetramizole, Albendazole.
10. Isolate sick animals from the herd.
11. Remove food debris promptly.
12. Provide high-quality and varied food.
13. Use products to repel annoying insects. Treat the skin and eyes (it is important that the ointment does not irritate their sensitive surface).
14. Floors in sheds should be wooden (this measure will help maintain heat in the room and reduce the risk of infections and inflammation) and have a slight slope (to allow dirt and sewage to drain away).

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 a timely manner and take action. Inaction will lead to the development of pathology and loss of vision. In addition, the entire herd can suffer, since some infections are easily transmitted from one animal to another. An experienced specialist should treat the cow.