How Is Pinkeye Transmitted?

Goats infected with pinkeye can transmit the disease by rubbing on other goats.

Pinkeye is a bacterial infection of the cornea of the eye. It is highly contagious and, if left untreated, can cause the animal to become blind. Pinkeye is not animal-specific, so a goat with pinkeye can transfer the infection to a horse, for example. Fortunately, there are several ways to treat the infection.

Transmitted by Flies

Pinkeye can be transmitted by flies. In this scenario, a fly lands on the face of an animal that is infected with pinkeye. The bacteria is transmitted to the legs and wings of the fly. The fly then transmits the pinkeye bacteria to another animal when he lands on its face.

Transmitted Directly

Alternately, the infection could be transmitted directly from an infected animal to a healthy animal. If the infected animal rubs his face on a healthy animal and spreads the bacteria to the healthy animal's face, the healthy animal will likely get sick. An infected animal should be isolated from all other animals in the barn until the pinkeye infection is completely cleared up to reduce its risk of passing the infection on to other animals.

Transmitted by Handler

The handler can also be at fault in the spread of pinkeye. If the handler treats an infected animal and then works with healthy animals in the herd without washing his hands, the bacteria can be transmitted to the healthy animals or even to himself. Handlers should wear disposable gloves and remove them after treating an infected animal to prevent spreading sickening the rest of the herd. If the animal only shows signs in one eye, treat the other eye as a precautionary step. However, remove the glove used to treat the infected eye and use a fresh glove to treat the asymptomatic eye.

Transmitted Indirectly

Pinkeye can be transmitted indirectly when the infected animal rubs his face on a pole, feed box, fence or other object. The bacteria is transferred to these objects and is picked up when another animal rubs on them. For this reason, it is important to isolate the infected animal and disinfect all items that it touches to prevent other animals from being infected.

Transmitted from Eye to Eye

Pinkeye can be transmitted from an animal's infected eye to its healthy eye if it rubs the eye or lays down on the surface, which can transfer the bacteria to his healthy eye later. Therefore, it is important to clean the stall of an infected animal daily by removing all bedding and disinfecting all objects in the stall.

References

• Ontario: Bright Sunlight May Add to Pinkeye Problems