Goat Lice

[Broke Down Ranch]

I have a question - do ashes keep down external parasites? Last summer after our goats had trimmed the tree line of every tree we would trim the tree around the property to give them some yummy stuff to munch on (this in addition to their regular feed). Well, as you can imagine the dead tree limbs piled up so we had a bonfire. The goats LOVE to roll and lay in the ashes that were left by the bonfire and as of yet I have not seen a single external critter on them with the exception of the occasional fly. Do ya'll think the ashes kept fleas/lice away?

 

[bheila]

Quote:
It works for chickens!

 

[chickylou]

See, I knew it was a stretch. So much for home remedies...just keep the mayo for the ham sandwiches, I guess! Although, after smelling it on a goat, you might not want to have another ham with mayo for a LONG time.

 

[MissCluck]

I was picturing trying to put the mayo on my goaties!

They would be licking it off! hee hee

 

[Chatychick]

Mine love rolling and rubbing in the ashes also and they are doing well ...al little different in color...lol...but mine love it. It might as I havent had a lice problem this year..knock on wood...

 

[kees]

Have you considered rubbing DE all over them and mixing it into their bedding? The only thing is that whenever the goats get wet, you'd have to do it again.

Suzy

 

[ThornyRidge]

I concur with the oral ivomec.. takes care of internal and external parasites.. may have to readminister after 10-14 days if really bad.. if it is a little baby look too for some flea spray/powder marketed for puppies and kittens..lice were horrible this year.. at least with my crew.. after powders, pour ons and ivomec drenches.. as well as complete barn cleaning from winter.. things appear to be back to normal again..whew.

 

[Sherry]

My vet tells me Frontline spray should work. I'll let you know.

 

[chellebyerly]

When I had goats I used ivermec, and another one, alternating. Cydectin, I think it was....

The first time I ever saw lice was years into my goat raising. I had about 50 goats at the time. I was having to milk one she made triple the milk she needed and since I always had bottle babies it was worth it, and as a favor to our local vet I took in an orphan.
I had LONG blonde hair. Down past my waiste.
I always leaned my head on 'hearts' the goat I was having to milk, and never thought anything about it. Well my 3 year old walked by and said "mom, whats those wiggily things in your hair?"

They were all over me. I freaked, I had NEVER had lice. Even as a kid. I ran strait to the house, called the vet, an old family friend (and the one who had brought me the orphaned goat a day or so before) and crying I asked him what to do.

He told me that there was nothing that I could do. goat lice was VERY hard to get rid of. He could give THEM a shot. BUT not me. That I could try washing with lice stuff, it would take double the treatments, but most times he recommended cutting your hair real short for this, as too much nix would break it all off anyway. He kept on, telling me that everything had to be cloroxed, my barn, my house, everything.

Then he said his connection was bad and and hung up.
I just sat down and cried.

A few minutes later the phone rang. My grandmother (we live on the same farm) answered, and was lauging her fool head off. Then she came to tell me. I wasnt interested in her story. Luckily, she was one that didnt belive in self pity and told me anyway.

the one about the dumb blonde who belived everything that was told to her. She said the vet had to pull over because he was laughing so hard.
But finally explained that they cant live on a human, and just to up my worming schedule, and the new baby would get it in some of the milk I was feeding it.

I was so relieved. AND NEVER lived it down. I also never did get him back..... But I never had lice on my goats again after that. And I had well over a hundred goats.