Journal of Animal Health and Production

Research Article
J. Anim. Health Prod. 2 (2): 25 - 27
http://dx.doi.org/10.14737/journal.jahp/2014/2.2.25.27
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Asit Chakrabarti*, Pankaj Kumar, Poolangulam Chinnakkan Chandran, Amitava Dey, Shanker Dayal
Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar, 800 014, India
*Corresponding author: asit1963@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
The Bihar state of India is having 12.56 million of cattle population and about 15.73% crossbred animals. But, poor management and harsh weather condition make animals vulnerable to various eye diseases. The present investigation was carried out in different districts of Bihar to find the incidences of eye ailments of cattle irrespective of age, breed, sex, season and types of diseases that causes a great economic loss to the farmers. Out of 2832 surveyed animals 15.22% animals were found to be sufferer of various eye diseases. Among the eye ailments 8.93% were corneal opacity, 2.01% Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis, 1.91% corneal ulcers, 0.81% cataracts, 0.67% glaucoma, 0.46% staphyloma, 0.25% micro cornea and 0.18% were corneal dermoid. Statistical analyses revealed that there were significant (P<0.01) differences among breeds, sexes, age groups and seasons with respect to the occurrence of eye diseases. The crossbred animals (17.74%) were found to be more susceptible than the zebu cattle (13.45%). The male animals (20.96%) and younger age groups (19.00%) found to be more sufferers than the female (12.08%) and adult animals (13.33%). Seasonal variation with the highest incidences in pre–monsoon (4.66%), followed by monsoon (3.57%), post–monsoon (3.53%) and lowest in winter (3.46%) months were noticed. Unilateral eye infections (13.67%) were more than the bilateral (1.55%). The eye diseases could be prevented through better management practices like housing, feeding and timely health care of animals.

Key Words: Eye diseases, Breed, Sex, Age, Season