How to Treat Pinkeye in Goats
Pinkeye in goats (also called infectious keratoconjunctivitis) is an inflammation of the eye typically caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma conjunctivae or Chlamydia. According to Maria Leite-Browning, DVM, an extension animal scientist at Alabama A&M University, this highly contagious infection can affect up to 80 percent of your goat herd during an uncontrolled outbreak. Typically arising during instances when your goat's immune system resistance is lowered (such as moving them or during weather changes), pinkeye is characterized by the presence of sudden squinting, watery and swollen eyes that become increasingly red, and cloudiness in the whites of your goat's eyes. Untreated, pinkeye often results in blindness.
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Instructions
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Isolate the infected goat in a shady area that is out of direct sunlight (sunlight can delay the healing process). Pinkeye frequently develops in other goats as a result of physical contact with the infected goat, so make sure the isolation pen does not allow any direct contact with your healthy animals. Make sure your quarantined goat does not share any feed or water containers with the rest of your herd, as well.
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Prepare the sick goat for treatment. Put on a pair of disposable rubber gloves and contain your sick goat in a milk stand or stanchion that limits its head movements. If you don't have a milk stand, have a partner face in the same direction as the goat and straddle its neck to limit body movements. Your partner--also wearing disposable gloves--can then easily restrain the goat's head with both hands while you treat the infection.
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Flush the infected eye. Fill a disposable syringe with sterile saline solution and spray it gently in your goat's infected eye, being careful not to allow the syringe to touch the eye itself (this would contaminate your syringe with the infection). Repeat this process until you have thoroughly cleansed the entire eye and the area around the eye where the goat has produced tearing. You can purchase sterile saline solution from your veterinarian or a vet or farm supply catalog.
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Administer an antibiotic eye ointment that contains tetracycline or oxytetracycline (such as Terramycin), which you can obtain from a vet supply catalog. Open the ointment container and squeeze the tube gently, applying the ointment directly on your goat's eye. Make sure you apply the ointment from corner to corner of your goat's eye to ensure that the entire eye receives treatment. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, you should repeat this procedure 3 to 4 times a day until your goat's symptoms are gone.
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Control the fly population to minimize pinkeye transmission through flies. Spray your goat's body and living quarters with an effective fly spray to reduce fly activity in the area, being careful not to get the spray in your goat's eyes.
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Prevent contamination during treatment. Keep your goat completely isolated from the rest of your herd until all cloudiness has left the eye and your goat is no longer showing signs of eye irritation. Check the rest of your herd daily during this time period for pinkeye infection.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure your medicine supply cabinet contains the required ingredients at all times so you're prepared to treat your goat's pinkeye infection right away when it occurs. Preparation minimizes your goat's chances of going blind as a result of delayed treatment.
