SYMPTOMS OF LICE INFESTATION IN GOATS:
Lice is a common ailment in goats. If you have goat's then you WILL have lice. We expect most spring and fall that we will have to dust and we watch for signs. You can normally see small little creatures crawling around or attached to the skin of the goat. Mites are microscopic. Both can cause the goats to be itchy, they can cause hair loss and bald spots. Mites can cause scaly flaky skin and sometimes sores will be noticeable. A vet can do a skin scrapping or a plug to check for mites. If your goat is discolored (black turning to brown for example) and the hair on your goats tail is separated like a fish then copper deficiency could be the cause vs. lice/mites. Copper bolusing can help fix this. Another common skin issue in goats is zinc deficiency. Most common seen symptoms are hair loss down the spine and dry scaly skin. We use 50mg tablet of zinc smashed up in warm water and drenched for this issue. ZinPro is another Zinc supplement option. Copper and Zinc toxicity are both possible so be cautious with treatment options in this area.
NATURAL LICE TREATMENT IN GOATS (See Video Below):
If you live in a warmer climate or notice lice in summer, then a quick shave can normally take care of the issue. With the below treatment we use, you may have to dust twice. We normally only dust once because the sulfur makes the environment unappealing to the lice and the DE dry's out the exoskeleton of the lice and eggs. If they are really sever though, then we will dust again in 10-14 days to kill any new lice that have hatched and were not killed by the original treatment. If only one goat is having issues and no one else is, then there is some health issue or immune issue in that goat making them more prone. If it is a health or deficiency issue - then that too needs to be addressed in the goat. If it is an immune issue, then that goat should be culled from the herd.
1. Mix 1 parts sulfur to 1 parts diatomaceous earth (otherwise known as DE - found in most feed stores)
2. Comb out the goat.
3. Wear a respirator and gloves.
4. Cover your goats head with a towel.
5. Check the goat for the severity of lice. Sprinkle the powder on the spine down the goat. More sever cases of lice will need more powder. Then rub in and pat to make sure the powder makes it's way to the skin and down the goat. If the goat is severely infected, then dust all areas that have a heavy amount of lice.
OTHER LICE/MITE TREATMENTS IN GOATS:
(I personally have never used any of the following medications for lice, some work great for mites, some of the options below I would never use on my animals due to the chemicals in the meds.) ​
1. Shave: Shave your goat ​
2. Lime Sufur Dip (97.8% Strength): Mix as directed and spray or pour on once a week for 3-6 weeks
3. Ivermectin Pour On - Topically once and repeat in 3 weeks (better option for lice and only some types of mites) ​
4. Cylence Pour on: Topically once and repeat in 3 weeks (better option for lice and only some types of mites)
Things to think about before giving any medication to your goat: ​
1. Only use medications under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.
2. Any medication can cause a reaction in a goat. It is always beneficial to have an epi pen available incase of an allergic reaction. ​
3. Most medications are off label for goats so recommended dosage can vary. ​
4. Some medications are not safe for pregnant animals so let your veterinarian know if your animal is pregnant. ​
5. There are withdrawal times on medications for both butchering the animal and drinking the milk. Please verify this information with your vet before butchering or drinking the milk.
***Disclaimer: We are simple farmers and not veterinarians. This is for informational purposes only. What we do on our farm may not be what is best for your farm so please do your own research. This is not intended to replace professional veterinary and/or medical advice. We disclaim all liability in connection with the use of these products and/or information.