Eye disorders in young sheep and goats

1) Infectious Keratoconjunctivitis (Pinkie Pie)

The most common cause.

Causes:

   •  Mycoplasma conjunctivae

   •  Chlamydophila pecorum

   •   Sometimes Moraxella or other Mycoplasma bacteria

Signs:

   •  Very watery eyes

   •  Redness of the conjunctiva

   •  Light sensitivity (photophobia)

   •  Corneal cloudiness

   •  Calf/lamb standing with eye half-closed

   •  Sometimes bulging adhesions

Treatment:

   •   Topical antibiotics: drops/ointment containing tetracycline

   •   In severe cases: injection of oxytetracycline

   •  Isolation of patients

   •  Reduction of dust and strong winds

2) Injury or foreign body in the eye

Especially common in pens with thorns, dry hay or clutter.

Signs:

   •   Increased tearing

   •   Closed eye

   •   Rubbing the eye with the foot

   •   White spot/wound on the cornea

Treatment:

   •  Saline irrigation

   •  Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection

   •   In severe cases → veterinarian with fluorescein to diagnose ulcer

3) Corneal Ulcer

Can start with a small injury and get worse quickly.

Signs:

   •   White/cloudy spot on the cornea

   •  Severe pain, sensitivity to light

   •   Very watery eye

Treatment:

   •  Topical antibiotics

   •  Do not use steroids! (worsens ulcer)

   •  In deep cases → systemic treatment + physical protection

4) Ophthalmitis secondary to systemic diseases

For example:

   •   Chlamydial intestinal disease → may cause ophthalmia

   •  Systemic mycoplasma

   •   Bluetongue fever/bluetongue disease – in the warm season

Signs:

   •  Fever

  •  Weakness

   •   Ophthalmitis as part of the disease

   •  Blue tint to the cornea in certain viral diseases

5) Environmental irritation

More common in dry and dusty seasons.

Causes:

   •   Dust, dry hay

   •  High ammonia in the pen

   •  Strong wind

   •  Strong sun (photokeratitis)

Signs:

   •  Slight redness

  •  Tears

  •  Usually both eyes are involved

Treatment:

   •  Improved ventilation

  •  Reduced dust

  •  If necessary – a non-steroidal soothing ointment

6) Parasites (Thelazia – eyeworm)

Less common in Israel but does exist.

Signs:

   •   Thin white worms visible on the conjunctiva

   •  Chronic inflammation

   •   Tears

Treatment:

   •  Ivermectin/Macromectin

   •   Regular rinsing

7) Congenital malformations

Rare but present in young infants and children:

   •  Inverted eyelid (Entropion)

   •  Outward eyelid (Ectropion)

Signs:

   •  Persistent irritation

   •  Corneal injury

   •  Chronic tearing

Treatment:

   •  Temporary eyelid inversion with a small suture

   •  In adults, can sometimes be resolved with a soothing ointment and the right size

When is it necessary to involve a veterinarian?

    •   Significant corneal clouding

   •   Suspected ulcer

   •   A lamb/goat that does not open its eye for 24 hours

   •   Abundant yellow pus

   •   Vision loss

   •   Worms visible in the eye

*It is always advisable to consult a qualified veterinarian.