TABLE OF CONTENTS
Treatment and Control of Lice in Animals
Lice infestation, or pediculosis, is a common ectoparasitic condition in domestic animals and poultry that can cause pruritus, irritation, skin damage, poor coat or feather condition, and reduced productivity. Effective control requires appropriate treatment of affected animals along with proper environmental management to reduce reinfestation. Various insecticides and acaricides have been used for the treatment and control of lice in different animal species.
In Poultry
- Fenitrothion (Sumithion 50% EC) 0.125% as a spray.
- Malathion (Cythion): 100 mL in 10 liters of water for 300 birds. 200 mL in 4 liters of water for spraying walls.
- Coumaphos (Asuntol 50% WP) 2 g/L of water for spraying on birds and 4 g/L of water for spraying the shed.
- Deltamethrin (Butox liquid) 2 mL/L of water as a spray.
- Fenvalerate (Sumicidin 20% EC) 0.5 mL/L of water as a spray on the body and 1–2 mL/L of water for the shed.
- Carbaryl (Sevin) 5% dust or spray.
- Propoxur (Baygon) 0.5% as a spray.
- Permethrin (Ectiban) 0.05% as a spray.
In Cattle, Sheep, and Goats
- Crotoxyphos (Ciodrin) 3% dust.
- Ciovap (1% crotoxyphos + 0.25% dichlorvos) as a spray.
- Coumaphos as a 0.06% spray.
- Crufomate: 35% dip, 25% spray, 13.5% pour-on.
- Ronnel: 0.25% as a spray.
- Malathion: 0.5% spray.
- Cypermethrin: 150 ppm as a dip or spray.
- Ivermectin: 0.2 mg/kg body weight.
In Dogs
- Coumaphos as a 0.5% dust or spray.
- Ronnel: 0.25%–1% topical solution.
- Ivermectin: 0.2 mg/kg body weight.
- Deltamethrin (Butox liquid) 2 mL/L of water as a spray.
Current Practice for Pediculosis Treatment and Control
Modern lice control generally relies on species-appropriate, currently labeled ectoparasiticides, with treatment selected according to the animal species, louse species, formulation, production status, and local regulations.
- Dogs and cats: Commonly used ectoparasiticides include products containing selamectin, fipronil, imidacloprid, and certain pyrethrins or pyrethroids. Some isoxazoline products, such as afoxolaner, fluralaner, and related compounds, have demonstrated efficacy against lice.
- Cattle: Modern lice control commonly involves topical pyrethroids and macrocyclic lactones such as ivermectin, doramectin, eprinomectin, and moxidectin. Pour-on formulations are widely used, particularly for both biting and sucking lice, whereas injectable macrocyclic lactones are primarily effective against sucking lice.
- Sheep and goats: Synthetic pyrethroids and macrocyclic lactones.
- Poultry: Pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid products and other species-specific ectoparasiticides.
