The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: yankieGirl on May 07, 2011, 04:43:08 pm

Title: red film on calf's eye?
Post by: yankieGirl on May 07, 2011, 04:43:08 pm

3 week old bottle fed calf has a red film over its eye.  not just on the white mostly on the middle colored part.

I am new to this calf thing and could use some help.  Thanks

Title: Re: red film on calf's eye?
Post by: shep53 on May 07, 2011, 05:38:48 pm

Could it have knocked it or poked it, burst a blood vessel , normally heal given time speak to vet

Title: Re: red film on calf's eye?
Post by: yankieGirl on May 07, 2011, 11:02:30 pm

Thanks Shep53.

I love this site!

Title: Re: red film on calf's eye?
Post by: ClaireF on May 11, 2011, 07:15:25 pm

You could get some antibiotic eye ointment from vet - it certainly won't do any harm and is much better than an infection.

Title: Re: red film on calf's eye?
Post by: AengusOg on May 12, 2011, 09:28:50 am

Could be 'Pink eye'. This is the layman's term for infectious keratitis, which means inflammation of the cornea. This could be caused by just about anything from trauma, such as a blow to the eye, or the presence, or result of, a foreign body, such as dust or seeds or such like. It could be from a conjunctivitis spreading to the cornea.

It could be due to the presence of Thelazia, a species of eye worm, or from the use of the drug Phenothiazine which, if the animal is exposed to strong sunlight in the 24 hours after treatment, can cause Hyperkeratosis.

If left untreated, the condition can lead to ulceration of the cornea and permanent blindness. Be aware that any opacity of the cornea is cause for immediate treatment to avoid long term problems.

On the other hand, it may be a condition called Scleritis, which causes the eye to be bloodshot, and is brought about by a severe conjunctivitis. Treatment is as for conjunctivitis.