Survey of Ocular Conditions Requiring Surgical Intervention in Cattle at Vom Veterinary Clinic, Plateau State

Ocular diseases in cattle are a significant source of production losses in Nigeria's livestock sector, yet their surgical epidemiology remains poorly documented in the North Central zone. This study surveys ocular conditions necessitating surgical intervention in cattle presented at the Vom Veterinary Clinic, Plateau State, with emphasis on clinical diagnosis, surgical approaches employed, and treatment outcomes. Data were collected prospectively from April 2022 to March 2024, covering 214 bovine ophthalmic cases. Conditions were classified as infectious, traumatic, neoplastic, or congenital in origin. Enucleation, tarsorrhaphy, and conjunctival flap procedures constituted the primary surgical interventions recorded. Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis was the most diagnosed condition, accounting for 44% of cases, followed by traumatic uveitis at 22% and ocular squamous cell carcinoma at 17%. Zebu cattle showed a higher incidence of traumatic injuries relative to exotic breeds, attributed partly to communal grazing practices and inadequate handling facilities. Postoperative recovery was satisfactory in 82% of all surgical cases when appropriate antimicrobial therapy was combined with surgical management. The findings underscore the importance of early clinical referral and investment in ophthalmic surgical training for field veterinarians operating in the North Central region. This study also advocates for the development of regional ocular disease registries to improve surveillance capacity in Nigerian teaching and government veterinary institutions. Keywords: bovine ophthalmology, ocular surgery, enucleation, Plateau State, keratoconjunctivitis.