Study

Experimental treatment of dog lice infestation in interior Alaska wolf packs

  • Published source details Gardner C.L., Beckmen K.B., Pamperin N.J. & Del Vecchio P. (2013) Experimental treatment of dog lice infestation in interior Alaska wolf packs. Journal of Wildlife Management, 77, 626-632.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Control ticks/fleas/lice in wild mammal populations

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
  1. Control ticks/fleas/lice in wild mammal populations

    A controlled study in 2002–2010 in a forested area of Alaska, USA (Gardner et al. 2013) found that treating wolves Canis lupus with ivermectin cleared them of infestations of biting dog lice Trichodectes canis. All of 12–19 wolf packs treated with ivermectin, were lice-free in the winter following treatment. In spring, 15–50% of packs were infested over the three years of treatments, 5% were infested the following spring, with 0% spring infestation in the last two years of monitoring. Three untreated packs remained infested throughout four years of monitoring. In a 13,000-km2 study area, lice infestation in two packs was confirmed by inspecting animal hides harvested by trappers in 2002–2005. Moose or lynx meat, injected with ivermectin, was distributed aerially at den and rendezvous sites of 12–19 wolf packs at 10–20 day intervals in 2005–2007. Infestation status and responses to treatments were determined by live-trapping wolves, direct observations and by inspection of hides obtained from trappers during 2005–2010.

    (Summarised by: Rose Hinson, Diana Tarazzo )

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