Lice

[tbarry2185]

So noticed two of my fainting goats seem to have lice. I called agway they gave me prozap insectrin dust. Is this ok? How much? Any other advice on what to use?

 

[bonbean01]

No clue here...have never dealt with mites on our sheep...does the container give you the dosage? If not...google it...so much info on about everything!

Good luck and hope the mites bite the dust soon!

 

[Rocco]

The ProZap Insectrin active ingredients are 1% Permethrin and 1% PBO (Piperonyl Butoxide), similar to the product I used this last Spring on a couple of kid goats we had lice trouble with.

It works, to a degree, but didn't solve the problem. Many recommend Permethrin-based products for lice and flies, etc....but its effectiveness isn't great sometimes. And, it usually takes multiple applications.

So, I started looking into other options.

What I came across as effective against lice, in humans, was Spinosad. We use Spinosad in gardening on a regular basis.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinosad

Here are a few papers on the use and efficacy in humans:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22177544
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a611012.html
http://www.jfponline.com/index.php?id=22143&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=176602

We made our own suspension from the same product we use in our gardern (available at any good garden center), put on some gloves, soaked a rag in the solution and thoroughly wet the kids....rubbing into the grain to make sure we got down to skin. The kids had no adverse reactions at all, all are healthy 7 to 8 month olds now.

One application was all it took.

 

[elevan]

http://www.backyardherds.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2607-lice-and-goats

 

[goatboy1973]

We use Cydectic cattle pour-on for our goats which is an "off label" use for this med but it works so good for lice and internal parasites as well. It seems to last longer than other meds specifically labeled for lice.

 

[emmapal]

this rainy overcast time of year is when I treat my chickens for lice, so is it the same for goats? What conditions usually favor lice, meaning, when should I be checking them most frequently/thoroughly?

 

[Southern by choice]

fall/winter is the "active" season
Higher temps in summer/late spring prevent eggs from developing. However if the animal has had lice or mites in the summer than you will see a significant increase in fall winter. Much more difficult to treat in winter.
There are different kinds of lice and mites.
Lice can usually be seen.
Mites are generally microscopic so you are looking for the evidence as opposed to a specific mite.
Some mites are only found in/on the ear. Some only on hoof. Some all over. Mites as, depending if they are a burrowing mite or non burrowing will produce different symptoms.
Treatments should be repeated.

 

[goatboy1973]

Ivomec is also good for lice.

 

[Southern by choice]

Ivomec is also good for lice.

What kind do you use?

 

[goatboy1973]

Usually the pour-on, and I use the generic stuff "Ivermectin".