Lice And How to Treat

By Deb Haines

Lice are divided into two main groups:

The Anoplura (sucking lice) and Mallophaga (chewing or biting lice). Biting lice have chewing mouth parts and feed on particles of hair, scabs and skin exudations.

Sucking lice pierce the host’s skin and draw blood. Louse-infested animals may be recognized by their dull, matted coat or excessive scratching and grooming behavior. The irritation from louse feeding causes animals to rub and scratch, causing raw areas on the skin or loss of hair. Weight loss may occur as a result of nervousness and improper nutrition. Milk production is reduced up to 25 percent. Also, the host is often listless and in severe cases, loss of blood to sucking lice can lead to anemia.

Lice are generally transmitted from one animal to another by contact. Transmission from herd to herd is usually accomplished by transportation of infested animals, although some lice may move from place to place by clinging to flies.

Lice are most often introduced to herds by bringing in infested animals it is important to keep animals in uncrowded conditions and to spot treat or quarantine any infested individuals until they have been successfully deloused. Most louse populations on animals vary seasonally.

Look at the pic’s posted below to determine the type of lice to treat correctly.

Biting Lice

The goat biting louse ( Bovicola caprae), Angora goat biting louse ( crassipes), and limbata are the three main species found on goats All three species live on the skin surface and feed on hair, skin and detritus. Eggs hatch in nine days to 12 days and on average, the entire life cycle is completed in one month. Biting lice of goats are distributed worldwide with winter populations being the most severe.

Sucking Lice

Three species of blood-sucking lice are found on goats: the goat sucking louse (Linognathus stenopsis), Africangoatlouse (L. africanus), and sheep foot louse (L.pedalis)

The goat sucking louse can be dispersed over the entire body of goats and the African goat louse is usually around the head, body and neck regions. Both the goat sucking louse and the African goat louse are bluish-gray in appearance. The sheep foot louse is an occasional pest of goats and can be found on the feet or legs of the animal. These blood-feeding lice species cause the most severe damage. Excessive feeding causes scabby, bleeding areas that may lead to bacterial infection. Mohair on Angora goats may be damaged to the extent value reduction is 10 percent to 25 percent.

Treating Sucking Lice

There are a few options

• A) Try injection of dectomax, 1cc per 100 lbs and repeat in 7 days.. Note…There is no approved Milk withdrawl period for Dectomax
• B) A pour-on ivermectin along the back … 1cc per 22 lbs; repeat in 7 days.

Note….Ivermectin is reported safe for pregnant does, But no specific proof…Ivermectin It is an OTC pesticide sold at most farm supply store. there is a pour-on that should ONLY be used as a pour on (never orally). there is an injection version that can be injected or used orally.

Treating Biting/chewing Lice

• A) Livestock dust that is permethrin sprinkle it on and get down to the hair line.
• B) Ultra Boss
• C) young kids…Flea/lice comb

******* Questions and Answers *******

1) What is the best option for treating biting lice on a nursing doe?

Many have found Ultra Boss to be effective

2) How do I treat biting/chewing lice ?

If you have confirmed that it is biting/chewing, a pour on permethrin or ivermectiin.

A pour-on ivermectin may prove useful – 1cc per 22 lbs of the pour-on product poured along the back.

Chewers/biters can be killed using a permethrin – even just a powder.

Simple permethrin powder (“livestock dust”) as it will do the job Note…..They do not suck blood, so the systemics (injections) are not as effective.

3)How to treat young goat kids for lice ?

Avoid harsh chemicals –use a flea comb/ lice comb – now and weekly for next 5 weeks is best bet and safe, then can try a lice powder like ‘livestock dust’ that is permethrin base and replace the bedding where they sleep if severe case of lice.

Dust and liquid treatment is not recommended under 4 months old unless severe problem.. Ultra Boss has been used in young goats, but is a liquid form and must be careful when applying.

Note….Newborns and very young kids ..use only flea/lice combs.

4) What if my goat has both sucking and biting lice?

A pour-on ivermectin may work for both so can try that first .

Vets like decotmax injection for the sucking lice and then a permethrin powder for chewing/biting.