Effect of lice on the host

EFFECT OF LICE ON THEIR HOST
  • The chief effects of lice on their host are due to the irritation they cause
  • They are numerous in winter, because of longer hair on the host’s coat, closer contact of animals and also lack of general vigour
  • Hosts become restless, do not feed or sleep well and they may injure themselves or damage their feathers, hair or wool by bitting and scratching the parts of their bodies irritated by the lice
  • The egg production of birds and the milk production of cattle may fall
  • In mammalian hosts scratching may produce wounds or bruises on the animals, while in sheep the wool is damaged
  • It is also soiled by the faeces of the lice
  • The coat becomes rough and shaggy and if the irritation is severe, the hair may become matted
  • Excessive licking of hairs by calves may lead to formation of “hair-balls” in stomach
  • The foot louse of sheep (Linognathus pedalis) is found most frequently around the dew-claws and severe infections may produce lameness
Last modified: Tuesday, 3 May 2011, 9:39 AM