Goat Lice Management

There are two types of lice affecting goats in Tasmania: the biting louse and the sucking louse. These lice are small (only 1 to 2 mm long) and are grey or cream in colour. Goat lice affect only goats. They may survive on sheep for about 5 to 7 days, but do not propagate. Lice from cattle do not affect goats. 

Infestation with lice results in considerable damage to the skin or fleece because infected animals bite and scratch and rub against fences, trees and other objects. Biting lice feed on skin and scurf. Sucking lice cause more severe damage as they puncture the skin and suck blood and tissue fluids. 

Raw and scabby areas may develop on the skin. Heavy infestations with sucking lice can result in anaemia. The goat is left in a ragged appearance, with dull coat and loss of body condition. There is often a characteristic odour, especially in humid weather. 

Lice spend their whole life on the goat. Individual adult lice survive for about a month. 

The spread of lice is by direct contact between goats. Crowded conditions for goats enable rapid spread. At shows, spread can occur with shared grooming equipment, stalls or trailers. Lice survive only a couple of days in the environment. Eggs removed from the goat are unlikely to hatch. 

Infestations occur mostly in cooler months. Goats in poorer condition with a long hair-coat and on lower quality feed are most susceptible. The heavy burdens build up during autumn and early winter. 

All goats should be treated with an insecticide that kills lice. For a thorough kill, the insecticide must contact all lice. A second treatment in another 2 weeks is often necessary to kill lice hatched from the eggs present at the first treatment. The yards, stalls and equipment should be treated. Newly introduced goats should be isolated until after two treatments. 

Lice are usually a self-limiting infestation. Well-fed goats in good general health will carry very few lice. Infested goats will shrug off infestation when their condition improves, usually with a rising plane of nutrition in early spring. 

If you would like more information on lice management or product recommendations give the clinic a call – we are more than happy to help!