Broadcaster Press 5 July 14, 2015 www.broadcasteronline.com $15.7M In Unclaimed Property PIERRE – State Treasurer Rich Sattgast returned nearly $16 million in unclaimed funds this fiscal year. That figure is up $5.6 million from 2014 when the state returned $10.1 million in unclaimed property. Unclaimed property refers to accounts in financial institutions, businesses and government agencies that have had no activity for three years or longer. The State of South Dakota acts as the custodian of lost property until it can be returned to the rightful owners. “This last year we received over 4,000 claims from South Dakotans,” said State Treasure Rich Sattgast. “That’s money getting into the hands of our citizens which ultimately makes its way into our economy and that’s good for our state.” Unclaimed Property is currently holding $69.1 million in unclaimed funds, but that amount is ever changing. “Abandoned and forgotten property is turned over to the state throughout the year, so it’s important to check the unclaimed prop- erty database regularly,” Sattgast said. “Our office participates in numerous events across the state. Come visit us at one of the many fairs we’re attending this summer and we’ll help you check for unclaimed property in your name as well as assist you in filling out a claim form.” To check for unclaimed property, visit www. sdtreasurer.gov or call the unclaimed property hotline at 1-866-357-2547 to talk to an Unclaimed Property representative. Whether it’s covering your employees or your family, we’ve got you under our wing. To learn more abouT aflac, conTacT: Coverage is underwritten by Sierra Whitlock (605) 760-9844 | American Family Life Assurance Z120782B sierra_musel@us.aflac.com Company of Columbus. 9/12 Let The Broadcaster and Plain Talk Make Cash For You! Early Detection and Action Recommended for Effective Pinkeye Treatment this Summer BROOKINGS, S.D. - Warm weather has many cattle producers concerned about pinkeye, the common name for infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), which is one of the most common and economically damaging cattle diseases. “Pinkeye is a contagious disease causing inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva. If left untreated, severe damage to the eye may occur,” said Janna Kincheloe, SDSU Extension Research Associate. Each year, cattle producers lose an estimated $150 million due to reductions in weight gain, decreases in milk production, treatment costs and potential price discounts for affected animals. Kincheloe added that the climate this growing season is optimal for pinkeye. “Moist conditions and lush forage can create optimal conditions for pinkeye, as wet weather typically increases the incidence of face flies that irritate eyes and help spread the disease,” she said. In addition, tall grass can irritate eyes when cattle lower their heads to graze. Prevention is multi-pronged Preventing the disease typically requires a multipronged approach, explained Russ Daly, Professor, SDSU Extension Veterinarian. “The most effective way to deal with pinkeye is to stay ahead of it by integrating prevention with broad-based treatment strategies developed in conjunction with a veterinarian as part of a herd health management plan,” Daly said. He explained that an effective plan often includes vaccination, fly control and managing the grazing environment. He also noted that it takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks to get maximum immune response from vaccine, so producers should plan accordingly and vaccinate prior to observing a disease outbreak in the herd. In some cases, veterinarians may recommend using sterile swabs to take samples from affected eyes in order to grow the causative bacteria for an autogenous vaccine. “Autogenous pinkeye vaccines, as well as overthe-counter vaccines, have not uniformly resulted in complete protection from the disease, but may be useful in certain situations,” he explained. Daly added that even if preventative measures are in place, it is important to be able to detect and treat pinkeye early. Below, Daly and Kincheloe list some signs of early, active and healing stages of the disease as well as some specific treatment recommendations. Pinkeye Detection & Treatment Early stage: Clinical signs of pinkeye are consistent. Within the first three to five days of infection, cattle blink frequently and have excessive tearing and there is redness in the conjunctiva (white part) of the eye. “Cattle in this beginning stage will often seek shade, typically decreasing the time they spend grazing,” Daly explained. Pain may also contribute to reduced feed intake. After a day or two, he explained that these signs progress to a small ulcer in the center of the cornea which appears as a small white spot. “The C&R Construction •Road Building •Dirt Hauling •Gravel Hauling •Ditching 605.624.6888 or 605.624.2287 COMPETITIVELY PRICED COVERAGE FOR: •Homeowners •Renters •Farmowners •Rental Property Pat Girard Ph. (605) 267-2421 Mark Donnelly Ph. (605) 659-5596 FREE YOUTH ACTIVITY DAY Broadcaster and Plain Talk private party classified line ads are now FREE for 30 words or less. If you need more than 30 words, don’t worry you still won’t pay alot. A 31-word ad is only $.90 and the cost only goes up $.50 per word thereafter. What: Step Outside Program When: Saturday, July 18th 11AM-3PM Where: Clay County Sportsman’s Club - Clay County Park, Timber Road Who: Youth up to 17 years old. Must be accompanied by parent or guardian. (Parental or legal guardian needs to sign waiver form before youth participates in events.) Activities: BB Gun Shooting, .22 Caliber Rifle Shooting, Shotgun Shooting, Archery Shooting, Trapping Demonstrations FREE OF CHARGE, please register with Trevor Job at 605.670.8679 Sponsored by South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks and Volunteers. Share the Road Place your ad by calling the Broadcaster/Plain Talk office at 605-624-4429 or by stopping in at 201 W. Cherry Street today! L KL cornea develops a cloudy blue-grey appearance due to inflammation. One or both eyes may be affected, and the eye(s) are often held shut due to pain,” he said. Treat early: The key to treating pinkeye effectively is to treat early. “The goal of early pinkeye detection and treatment is to eliminate the causative agent (most typically Moraxella bovis bacteria) by using longacting antibiotics, often tetracycline,” Daly said. Kincheloe added that commercially available, nonantibiotic antibacterial topical treatments may also be effective in helping to alleviate pain and discomfort and speed the healing process. “Producers should consult with their veterinarians to determine optimal treatment strategies for individual situations,” she said. Active Stage: If left untreated in the early stage of the disease, the ulcer will continue to spread across the cornea, and the eye will become increasingly cloudy. “Blood vessels from the outside of the cornea begin to grow to help with healing, which gives the cornea the classical pink appearance,” Daly said. He explained that the ulcer will eventually cover most of the cornea and the inflammation will spread to the inner parts of the eye. If this occurs, the inside of the eye fills with a pus-like substance called fibrin that gives the eye a yellow appearance. Rupture of the eyeball is rare but may occur with a severe infection. Aggressive treatment is critical In order to prevent any further damage, aggressive treatment with long-acting antibiotics is critical at this stage of the disease. Additionally, Daly said there is some evidence supporting the use of injectable penicillin in the external layer of the bulbar conjunctiva (white of the eyeball). “A veterinarian should perform this procedure, as improperly placed injections may be ineffective and result in further damage to the eye,” he said. Protecting the eye from sunlight by applying an eyepatch can also be very important since ultraviolet rays can activate enzymes that can increase eye damage. “This will also reduce shedding of bacteria,” he said. He added that if the animal is in a pasture situation where keeping the patch on can be a challenge, construction adhesive can be used instead of the traditional eyepatch adhesive. However, it may be necessary to catch the animal to remove the patch. Also, it is more difficult to monitor or administer additional treatment to eyes covered with a patch. Some veterinarians may prefer to suture the eyelid shut if the corneal ulcer is deep and appears likely to rupture. When treating eyes, one should wash hands or change gloves between affected animals to avoid spreading the bacteria further. Healing Stage: Once the causative agent is eliminated, the ulcer is quickly covered by epithelium and the eye becomes less painful. Excessive tearing and blinking will subside and blood vessels will recede, but Kincheloe said the eye may continue to be a cloudy blue color for one to two weeks. Once this healing occurs, she explained that the eye no longer requires antibiotic treatment. “Clearing of the edema will begin at the outside edge of the cornea and sight will begin to return,” Kincheloe said. The eyes of most infected cattle heal within 60 days, but may result in a white scar that can remain for the lifetime of the animal. K LOOK TWICE, SAVE A LIFE The Vermillion Police Department reminds you to be aware of motorcycles and bicycles who are sharing the road. Cautious and vigilant driving can prevent a tragedy.