Protocol for a Scoping/Systematic Review: Non-antimicrobial approaches for the prevention or treatment of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis applicable to cow-calf operations.

Antimicrobial stewardship promotes best practices for the prevention, treatment and control of diseases that require antimicrobial treatment such that development of antimicrobial resistance is prevented and/or reduced. Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK, pinkeye) is one of the most important diseases requiring use of antimicrobials in cow-calf operations in California according to a recent survey of ranchers in this state conducted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The efficacy of antimicrobial treatments for the disease have been well documented and summarized. However, less information is available on non-antimicrobial measures to prevent, control or treat the disease. In order to inform best practices for the judicious use of antimicrobials on cow-calf operations, this review explores the literature for evidence of effective methods to prevent pinkeye as well as of effective non-antimicrobial treatments.