Relationship of feeding activity of face fly (Musca autumnalis DeGeer) to production of keratoconjunctivitis in calves
Brown, J.F.; Adkins, T.R.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 33(12): 2551-2555
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 4641212 Document Number: 55894
In two experiments the feeding activity of laboratory-reared face flies, was studied to determine the relative contribution of mechanical irritation and bacterial infection to the production of keratoconjunctivitis in calves kept in a screened enclosure. In one experiment, calves were exposed for 9 days to flies which were uncontaminated with Moraxella bovis; in another experiment, calves were exposed for 11 days to flies which were contaminated with M. bovis. Both groups of calves were developed conjunctival irritation and production of a serous or mucoid exudate. Appreciable differences in gross and microscopic lesions were not observed between experiments, and the eye itself was not involved. Eye secretions of calves in the first experiment were negative for M. bovis, and those of the eye secretions of calves in the second experiment were positive.