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Conference noted::equitation

Title:	Equine Notes Conference
Notice:	Topics List=4, Horses 4Sale/Wanted=150, Equip 4Sale/Wanted=151
Moderator:	MTADMS::COBURNIO

Created:	Tue Feb 11 1986
Last Modified:	Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2080
Total number of notes:	22383

1276.0. "Lyme Disease Breakthrough Product" by MILKWY::GOLDMAN () Thu May 24 1990 14:28

Did anyone read the article in the Horsmen's Yanke Pedlar entitled "Lyme 
Disease Breakthrough Product"?

Damminix is a new pesticide developed by a Lyme Disease research laboratory at 
Harvard University.

It works like this - cotton balls are impregnated with permethrin, a mild 
pesticide, and placed in biodegradable cardboard tubes.  The tubes are placed 
outside in brush and fields were mice subsequently find the cotton and collect 
it for their nests.  The mice get the permethrin on their fur when collecting 
the Damminix cotton and then the ticks become infected by feeding on the mice, 
as the permethrin is highly neuro-toxic to ticks.  The mice remain unharmed and 
unknowingly aid in killing ticks when they bring the treated cotton down into 
their borrows.

Damminix has proven, after just one application, to be up to 97 percent 
effective.  In most cases, the number of infected ticks on a given test site 
drops considerably after the first use, and many times another tick is never 
found.  The average number of ticks per mouse after one treatment is close to 
zero and the areas have been proven to remain tick-free after multiple uses.

Damminix is not a spray, it is safe for animals and children to be exposed to 
it and it will not negatively affect the earth.  The pesticide, permethrin, is 
very mild and is FDA apprived.  The cardboard tubes eventually decompose, 
making the product environmentally responsible and easy to use, requiring no 
clean up.

The article said that Damminix is available in most hardware and garden stores. 
For more information they have an 800 number which is 1-800-234-TICK.  I called 
the number to see if I could get it in my area (Franklin).  They suggested 
Agway or True Value.  I went to Agway and Aubochon at lunch and they didn't 
have any or even heard of it.  I plan on trying the True Value in Milford to 
see if they have any.

I thought this break through was great considering that the past month I've 
been putting up fencing it's been in woods and grassy areas and I have found 4 
or 5 ticks on me at a time.  Granted, these were the larger ticks that don't 
carry the disease but it does concern me since my horse will be staying in 
this pasture.

Sue

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
1276.1		DECXPS::LCOBURN		`Thu May 24 1990 14:40`	21
	That sounds interesting, I'd be interested to know where you locate this product! I am being treated for Lyme Disease now myself. Having done some yard work, I was bitten by a tick. At first we thought nothing of it, but when a week later I noticed the bite site still red and swollen and had an odd feeling sore throat, my husband called my regular doctor just to find out the general information on Lyme Disease since neither of us knew anything about how it runs it's course. The doctor strongly recommended I take a course of antibiotics as a precaution, since the disease can take up to two years to manifest itself, and rather than spend two years wondering each time I get the flu she felt it better to take the precautionary treatment now and get it over and done with. I had no symptons other than a sore throat, and the bite site swelling, and a bit of passing nausea. The tick that bit me was very small, but I honestly could not say whether it was a dog tick or a deer tick, and she did say that there has recently been some speculation that dog ticks may carry it as well. Since this I have been concerned for my dog/cats/horse, and this new product sounds interesting....let us know what you find! :-)
1276.2	More info	MILKWY::GOLDMAN		`Thu May 24 1990 15:07`	9
	I called several hardware stores in the area and they had never heard of it. I then called the 800 number again and I spoke to a women that was much more helpful. She said it will be difficult to find it in Massachusetts. She took my address to send me a pamphlet with more information and said I could order it from them directly if I were still interested. Sue
1276.3	Symptoms?	BSMART::BARRETT	Drink your prune juice	`Mon Jul 16 1990 10:22`	10
	Re .1 Does anyone know anything else about symptoms? I have a bite (don't know what from) that has a rash around it like I've never had, and I guess I'm feeling a bit paranoid since this is supposed to be running rampant in NJ. Can anyone fill me in on the warning signs? Thanks... -sjb
1276.4	Aching joints	TLE::DINGEE	This isn't a rehearsal, you know.	`Mon Jul 16 1990 18:41`	9
	If memory serves (and it doesn't always!) aching joints is another symptom. I think if there's any question at all, you probably should have a doctor check it out. The earlier it's caught, the easier it it to treat. Hope it isn't Lyme, though... -j
1276.5		DECXPS::LCOBURN		`Tue Jul 17 1990 09:08`	13
	When I was treated for it, the doctor told me the main symptons were the rash, and feeling as if you are coming down with the flu. The aching joints generally follow later, in the advanced stages it can cause arthritis. I had the rash (but on a very small scale) and a very sore throat. I took a course of antibiotics and have had no problems whatsoever since. Seeing as it can be dormant for years, I felt it best to just take the antibiotics and get it over with rather than wondering everytime I got a cold or flu, and that was the doctors advise as well... Good luck!
1276.6	Thanks!	BSMART::BARRETT	Drink your prune juice	`Tue Jul 17 1990 09:53`	10
	I did get it checked - he thinks it's only a spider bite that I am having a reaction to (phew!). I'll get a test if the rash isn't gone in a couple weeks or if any other symptoms pop up (none so far). I know quite a few people here in NJ who have had it (and whose pets have had it). Causes a little paranoia, eh? Thanks for your replies.... -sjb
1276.7	cure?	TLE::DINGEE	This isn't a rehearsal, you know.	`Wed Jul 18 1990 10:59`	9
	I saw on the tv news last week that there is now a medicine approved for veterinary use to counteract Lyme. They've been using it on dogs and it's pretty successful. So...after all the red-tape gets cut away, it may take a couple of years, but looks hopeful for human use. -j