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The efficacy of povidone iodine (2%) (Betadin) spray for treatment
of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) was compared with
one time intramuscular administration of oxytetracycline.
Microbiological samples were collected from the 47 calves showing
IBK clinical signs. Moraxella bovis was isolated from 39 calves
(82.9%). The calves were divided into 3 experimental groups. The
first group (Consisted of 12 calves) were treated by povidone iodine
2% spray for 3 consecutive days and the second group (consisted of
15 calves) were treated by one intramuscular injection of 10mg/kg
oxytetracycline. In the third group (consisted of 12 calves) the
affected eyes washed by distilled water for 3 consecutive days. The
eyes of each calf were examined for 8 times on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7,
10, 13 and 16th. At first day, ocular secretion specimens were
collected for bacteriological cultures from affected eyes. For
examination, corneas were stained with fluorescien
isothiocyanate. The severity of the corneal lesions were stained by
use of a clinical scoring system and by measuring the surface areas
of comeal ulcers. The corneal lesion area measurement for calves
of all 3 groups were significantly decreased. The mean corneal
lesion areas for calves of povidone iodine and oxytetracycline
treated groups were significantly less than those for controls on day
16. So, according to the results of this study, considering povidone
iodine spraying as an alternative and effective therapy for the
treatment of IBK is advisable.