BOVINE INFECTIOUS KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS

also called Pinkeye, or Infectious Keratitis, an inflammation of the conjunctiva or the cornea of the eye in cattle as the result of an infection; early viral involvement is suspected. Moraxella bovis is usually found in discharge from the affected eye; other bacteria, such as Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium, are also often present. Ultraviolet rays from the sun may play a role in the inflammation; face flies may transmit the disease. Beef cattle afflicted with the disease lose weight, and dairy cattle may produce as much as 25 percent less milk.