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Home » Animal Health » Cattle Products » Cattle lice control
Cattle lice control

Cattle lice control

Cattle lice are parasites that bite or suck blood from cattle, causing irritation and discomfort to your herd. Managing lice is key to maintaining herd productivity and health, and a critical component of this process is implementing an appropriate cattle lice treatment like a pour-on drench, or an injectable cattle drench. 

Explore treatments for cattle lice, including popular products like CattlePro Pour On for Beef & Dairy Cattle, Coopers Easy Dose Pour-On Cattle Lice & Fly Treatment,  Cydectin Pour-On for Cattle, Ivomec Injection for Cattle and Doramate Injectable Drench . 

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What are cattle lice and why are they important to control? 

Cattle lice are small, wingless parasites that live on cattle’s skin. They prey on the animal by either sucking their blood (‘sucking lice’ or Haematopinus eurysternus) or biting the skin (‘biting lice’ or Bovicola bovis). This leads to itching, irritation, and hair loss, and consequently, weight loss and reduced milk production. 

It’s important to keep cattle lice infestations under control to avoid any potential detriment to the productivity and health of your herd. 

Best practices for treating lice in cattle

A good management plan combined with a targeted treatment for cattle lice and parasites is recommended for addressing cattle lice. Follow these best practice tips to get your infestation under control. 

  • Identify the type of lice: By closely inspecting cattle’s skin and hair, identify the type of lice to tailor your treatment plan. Biting lice are usually found on the shoulders, neck, and back of the animal, whereas sucking lice are found in areas with thinner skin. 
  • Choose the right treatment: Based on the type of lice and your needs, select an appropriate treatment from options including pour-on solutions (traditional cattle drenches), injectable products, and topical sprays.
  • Time your application: Lice populations peak in the cooler months, so it’s advisable to treat cattle in late autumn or early winter to control the population before it has the chance to escalate. 
  • Follow usage instructions: Always adhere to manufacturer’s instructions regarding dosage, application method, and safety precautions. This will ensure effective treatment and reduce the risk of resistance development. 

Best drench for cattle lice

Cattle drenches are liquid formulations administered orally or topically to treat internal and external parasites, including cattle lice. When selecting a drench, consider these factors:

    • Active ingredients: Common active ingredients in drenches for lice include ivermectin, moxidectin, permethrin, deltamethrin and abamectin. These compounds are all effective against both biting and sucking lice. 
  • Spectrum of activity: A broad-spectrum drench can help you control multiple internal and external parasites simultaneously if you’re dealing with concurrent infestations.
  • Safety and residue considerations: Ensure your chosen drench is safe for your class of cattle (e.g., dairy or beef cattle, pregnant animals, lactating animals). It’s also important to note the withholding period for meat and milk to comply with food safety regulations. 

Types of cattle drenches available

  • Pour-on drenches: Applied along the backline of the animal, pour-on drenches are easy to administer and provide effective coverage against lice and other internal and external parasites. Some drenches will only treat external parasites like lice.
  • Injectable drenches: These are administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly. They provide systemic control against lice and internal and external parasites. . 

Explore more tips and recommendations for controlling cattle lice on the Specialist Sales blog. 

Once you’ve applied your chosen cattle lice treatment, be sure to regularly monitor your herd to keep infestations at bay and ensure optimal wellbeing. Always contact your local veterinarian if you have any concerns about lice in your herd.