A possible cause for the 'pink-eye-like' condition in red deer

Authors: Pearson AB
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 32, Issue 7, pp 119, Jul 1984
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Deer, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Eye/opthalmology, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Clinical examination, Rickettsia
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: In 1981, an outbreak of a ‘pink-eye-like` condition was described in red deer. Although the appearance of affected eyes was similar to that seen in cattle infected with Moraxella bovis, these authors were unable to isolate M.bovis from affected deer. In addition, attempts to cause pink-eye in deer by inoculating eyes with M.bovis were unsuccessful, suggesting that the causative organism in deer is probably different from that in cattle. In June 1982 I was called to a deer farm to investigate a similar outbreak of ocular disease. The lesions were similar to those described by Wilson et al. There was a history of yarding of the affected deer for drafting and drenching ten days previously. Seven animals were affected, all 7-8 months old and recently weaned. Eye lesions were unilateral and consisted of varying degrees of focal corneal ulceration and generalised corneal opacity with accompanying conjuctivitis and lacrimation. Two swabs were taken, one from the conjunctival sac of a severely affected animal and one from a less affected animal. Treatment was commenced with bilateral subconjunctival injections of a long-acting penicillin/streptomycin combination…

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