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Drugs & MedicationsOntario Racing Commission Expands Clenbuterol TestingQ-Racing Journal, July 15, 2011 – Starting August 15, testing for clenbuterol in Ontario Quarter Horse racing is expanding to include a 30-day withdrawal period and lower threshold levels, according to a release by Ontario Racing Commission Deputy Director Rob McKinney. The goal of the initiative is to eliminate any abuse, overuse, or non-therapeutic use of this drug, and when used, to confirm that the drug has been legally obtained and correctly administered. Clenbuterol is a bronchial dilator sold under the name Ventipulmin (trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica) as an injectable suspension and oral syrup to treat breathing disorders. This expansion by the Ontario Racing Commission will complement the existing efforts of the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency, which has included clenbuterol in its testing protocol for over 20 years. This new initiative is a result of concerns brought forward by the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc. regarding alleged misuse of this therapeutic drug and the health and safety of the horse. On June 16th, the ORC announced the first phase of this project involving random out-of-competition testing for the presence of the drug. ORC investigators will continue to inquire as to the use of clenbuterol and then examine the records of the trainer and veterinarian. Under this new phase, a 30-day clenbuterol withdrawal period for a horse competing in a race and minimum threshold are: 200 picograms per milliliter (pg/ml) or less in urine and 1-2 picograms per milliliter (pg/ml) in blood. A directive authorizing this phase of the project is under development, but it is anticipated that the regulatory action for confirmed presence of clenbuterol will include: American Quarter Horse Association Tip of the Week – IRAP Joint Treatment for Your Horse
Degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis is one of the main causes of lameness in horses. DJD occurs when the joint cartilage is destroyed producing pain and inflammation. Typically therapy involves a combination of intra-articular medications such as hyaluronic acid and/or steroids, rest, oral pain medications, shockwave therapy, polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, intravenous hyaluronic acid, and oral supplements that contain glucosamine, avocado soy extracts, MSM and/or chondrotin sulfate. Joint treatments with IRAP (Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein) utilize progressive gene therapy to combat osteoarthritis. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a cellular protein that is secreted by many types of inflamed cells. These proteins signal the immune system to attack infected, damaged or dying cells. In the arthritic joint IL-1 plays an important role and accelerates the deterioration of tissues like joint cartilage. IRAP blocks IL-1 from binding to tissues and inhibits the damaging consequences of IL-1. The process begins with 60 cc of blood from your horse in a special syringe. The syringe is specially prepared with glass beads that stimulate production of the antagonist protein (Il-1a) and an anticoagulant. The process of harvesting, incubating and centrifuging the blood to separate the IRAP abundant plasma from blood takes 24 hours. Thereafter, IRAP joint treatments are administered every 8-10 days for three treatments depending on the condition being treated. This tip was brought to you by Chuck Maker, DVM (www.alpinehospital.com) and KAM Animal Services, home of KAM’s “Equine Learning Circle” FREE webinars, which take place monthly. These webinars are an expansion of KAM’s weekly tips. Go to www.kamanimalservices.com to sign up for the next webinar. The FREE webinars will conclude with a question and answer session, so be ready with your nutrition questions. FEI Announces Detection Times for MeloxicamLausanne (SUI), 12 May 2011 – The FEI has announced detection times for Meloxicam (veterinary formulation known as Metacam), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain and inflammation in the equine athlete. The findings of studies on the use of intravenously or orally administered Meloxicam show the urine and plasma (blood) detection time as 72 hours [1]. This is the first COX-2 inhibitor on the FEI List of Detection Times, which contains common medications administered out of competition and is listed on the FEI Clean Sport website. “We are committed to providing the tools to assist our athletes to adhere to the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping Rules, and will add further medication detection times over the coming 12 months,” explains Graeme Cooke, Director of Veterinary Department at the FEI. Meloxicam (Metacam) is developed by Boehringer-Ingelheim. FEI Updates Prohibited Substance List for Horses Competing in FEI DisciplinesLexington, KY – Approved at the FEI General Assembly in Taipei last November, the 2011 FEI Equine Prohibited Substance List for horses competing in FEI classes became effective April 4, 2011. It is important for all who compete in the FEI disciplines to become familiar with the parameters laid out by the FEI Clean Sport Initiative. The lists of Controlled and Banned substances are available at www.feicleansport.org. Additionally, the Athlete’s Guide can be found here. The searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database can be found here. Until June 4, 2011, the 2011 list will show all Prohibited Substances that have been added or removed from the 2010 List and Database. The FEI has also created applications for the iPhone and other smart phones, designed to show the latest changes to the rules as well as offer updates when any substances are added or removed. Updated FEI Equine Prohibited Substance List in Effect from 4 April 2011Lausanne (SUI), 4 April 2011 – The 2011 FEI Equine Prohibited Substance List comes into effect today, 4 April. The updated List has been publicly available since the FEI General Assembly in Taipei last November when it was unanimously approved. It is also accessible via the easily searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database, which is free to download for iPhones and Android applications. The 2011 List will show all Prohibited Substances added to or removed from the 2010 List and Database until 4 June 2011. Graeme Cooke, Director of the FEI Veterinary Department, said: “The fight against doping is one that all International Federations are committed to and the FEI is working tirelessly to come up with new ways to contribute to that fight in line with the joint-recommendations produced by the commissions headed by Professor Arne Ljungqvist and Lord Stevens. “Everyone involved in horse sport needs to be aware of the changes in the 2011 List and this crucial information is now easily accessible online and via free downloadable applications for iPhones and other mobile devices.” As part of its ongoing Clean Sport campaign and to maintain fair play, the FEI will continue with a full range of testing, including for hypersensitisation, at major events during the season. FEI Media contacts: Malina Gueorguiev Tip of the Week – Equine First Aid – Be Prepared!
The most common equine emergencies are: colic, skin wounds, eye injuries, tying up, severe lameness (abscess, fracture, laminitis), and infections (bacterial, viral). Having an emergency kit of medications from your veterinarian can help you treat your horse until the veterinarian arrives. In some cases it may save your horse’s life or save a vet call. Always advise your vet of emergency situations and ask for advice on treatment before administrating any medications. If there is an open wound, cover it to keep it clean. Apply a firm wrap to control bleeding and minimize swelling while waiting for your vet’s advice. If there is still bleeding from a limb, a tourniquet may be applied above the wound to decrease the blood flow. For colic, giving KAM’s KLPP (a pre & probiotic) and hand walking may help. Having FRE liquid, a natural anti-inflammatory, available for injuries will help with the pain, heat, and swelling. You can support the immune system with transfer factors (TF-Formula) to help prevent or fight infections (bacterial, viral, and fungal). TF may be used alone or in combination with drug therapies. As a general rule, don’t give any grain or oral medications without checking with your vet if you are unsure of the horse’s problem. Healthy Horse Tip – As USEF NSAID Rules Change It’s Time to Go Organic
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may help mask lameness while reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation, but they can also be very harmful to the equine, whether pet or athlete. NSAIDs can contribute to GI ulcers, diarrhea from colitis and colic, which all may trigger bouts of laminitis. Even short term NSAID use has the potential for renal (kidney) and liver toxicity, and may decrease a horse’s health and performance. Research has shown that NSAIDs may also slow down the healing process of soft tissues. This means that the patient using NSAIDs may look normal and not have pain evident, but the tissue is weaker longer and at a higher risk for re-injury during the extended healing period. The USEF now requires an “NSAID Disclosure form” to be filed with the Steward/Technical Delegate if more than one NSAID is used during a competition or in the five days preceding a USEF competition. The use of Bute and Banamine together is currently prohibited. Starting December 1, 2011, the presence of only one NSAID will be allowed! The seven NSAIDs currently allowed with quantitative restrictions are Bute, Banamine, Naproxen, Ketofen, Arquel, Equioxx, and topical Surpass. Adequan Hunter Highlights Competition at All 2011 HITS Horse Shows and the Marshall & Sterling League ©ESI Photography. HITS' Kristen Vale and Mary Moeller congratulate Katie Milton and If You Say So after winning the Adequan Hunter Championship at the 2010 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals. SAUGERTIES, NY (January 28, 2011) — HITS, Inc. is pleased to announce that Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc., manufacturers of Adequan (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), the only FDA-approved disease modifying osteoarthritic drug treatment for equine non-infectious degenerative joint disease, will once again sponsor the popular Adequan Hunter Division at all HITS horse shows nationwide. Luitpold Animal Health believes that the demands on show horses, particularly at the top performance level, require attention to details and a solid plan for maintaining soundness. Adequan i.m. is the flagship equine product from Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Unlike corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which only ease the source of pain and decrease inflammation of the synovial membrane, Adequan i.m. breaks the destructive disease cycle associated with osteoarthritis. It helps to restore the natural cycle of “wear and repair” within a joint and blocks the enzymes that damage joints and restores synovial lubrication within the joint. The treatment regime of 1 intramuscular injection every 4 days for 7 treatments protects cartilage structure, inhibits cartilage damage and stimulates the natural cartilage repair process. It also decreases inflammation and relieves the pain associated with DJD. Tip of the Week – Get Joints
If the joints don’t move well, the body doesn’t move well. The ability to flex, extend and rotate the joints in the horse’s legs and spine sets the parameters for that athlete’s ability. Many things contribute to joint problems such as nutritional imbalances, GI problems, trauma (acute or chronic), genetic pre-disposition, conformation, poor shoeing/trimming, metabolic disorders, normal “wear and tear,” and infections (systemic or in the joint). A simple sprained fetlock as a yearling that isn’t treated appropriately can start the cartilage deterioration that will progress into arthritis and cause lameness a few years later. Aggressive effective treatment of all joint injuries and continual preventative care are key to long term joint health, especially in the equine athlete. AQHA: Members Are Invited to an Informative Marketing Forum in March
All AQHA members are invited to attend the Marketing Forum during the 2011 AQHA Convention to discuss several important industry issues. Members of the American Quarter Horse Association are invited to join industry leaders on Friday, March 4, for an informative Marketing Forum during the 2011 AQHA Convention in Grapevine, Texas. All AQHA members registered for Convention are invited. Marketing Forum Friday, March 4, 2-4:30 p.m., Gaylord Texan Hotel, Grapevine, Texas
This marketing forum is open to all interested AQHA members, who are registered for the Convention. The AQHA Convention is March 4-8 at the Gaylord Texan Hotel in Grapevine, Texas. In addition to the Marketing Forum, AQHA members are encouraged to attend the business meetings of AQHA’s 14 standing committees. Registered members are encouraged to comment on agenda items during the open committee meetings. It’s not too late to register for Convention. Register today by filling out the online registration form. Learn more about the events taking place during this year’s Convention, including special entertainment by country music singer Paul Bogart, farm tours, special tributes to our year-end award winners and American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame inductions. American Quarter Horse Association |
