Conditions of the conjunctival area in young sheep and goats

Common Conjunctival Conditions in Young Sheep and Goats

1) Conjunctivitis – Bacterial

Common Causes:

   •  Mycoplasma conjunctivae – a major cause in herds

   •  Chlamydophila pecorum

   •  Moraxella bacteria (less common than in cattle)

Signs:

   •  Redness of the conjunctiva

  •  Profuse tearing

   •  Swelling of the eyelids

  •  Sensitivity to light (photophobia)

  •  Small blisters may appear on the conjunctiva

Treatment:

   •   Ophthalmic antibiotics (tetracycline)

   •   In severe cases — systemic treatment

   •   Partial isolation to prevent infection

2) KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS (“keratoconjunctivitis”)

A combined disease of the conjunctiva and cornea.

Causes:

   •   Bacteria (mainly Mycoplasma)

   •   Mechanical injury → penetration of contaminants

   •   Herd infections

Signs:

   •  Corneal cloudiness

   •   Pronounced pain (animal closes eye)

   •   Redness spreading from the conjunctiva

   •   Problematic tearing and thick discharge

Importance:

May lead to corneal ulcers if not treated in time.

3) Allergic inflammation / environmental irritation

Very common during the transition seasons.

Causes:

   •   Dust, straw, poor quality hay

   •   Flies

   •  Strong wind / strong sun

   •  Irritants (disinfectants, ammonia in the pen)

Signs:

   •  Slight redness

   •  Watery tears

   •   Itching

   •  No purulent discharge

Treatment:

   •   Physiological flushing

   •  Improvement of environmental conditions

   •   Fly treatment

4) Viral infections involving the conjunctiva

Orf may involve the eyelids and conjunctiva secondarily.

Various pox viruses — rare, but do exist.

Signs:

   •   Sores around the eyelid

   •   Redness of the conjunctiva secondary to irritation of the wound

   •   Sometimes slight bleeding

5) Eye Parasites

Thelazia spp. (eyeworm) — More common in cattle, but can also occur in sheep/goats.

Signs:

   •   Lacrimation

   •   Conjunctival irritation

   •   Worm movement across the surface of the eye

   •   Significant redness

Treatment:

   •   Systemic Ivermectin

   •   Mechanical removal of the worm (only by a veterinarian)

6) Traumatic injuries

   •   thorns

   •   a rope that jumped into the eye

   •   a blow from a goat/another sheep

Signs:

   •   a strong tear

   •   redness and discomfort

   •   sometimes a secondary corneal scratch

7) Foreign bodies in the conjunctiva

   •   Grains of sand

   •   Hay particles

   •   Straw

Signs:

   •  Rubbing the eye with the foot

   •  Focal redness in the conjunctiva

  •  Tear without purulent discharge

Treatment:

   •  Irrigate the eye

  •  Sometimes antibiotic ointment to prevent secondary infection

When do you need a vet?

    •   Purulent discharge

   •   Eye completely closed

   •   Corneal cloudiness

   •   Visual impairment

   •  Suspected parasite

   •   Thick wounds or rapid progression

*It is always advisable to consult a qualified veterinarian.