Banned Substances, Health & Disease I

 Like many others that are active in the equine industry, I get several email updates each day from various publications and newsletters.  Sometimes, which is actually most of the time, it is very difficult to stay on top of everything news worthy.  One topic that always catches my eyes is those stories regarding illegal substance abuse or discussions on banned substances in the equine industry.

This topic has always intrigued me for several reasons.  First and foremost, I have always been perplexed as a veterinarian as to how certain trainers or horse owners acquire certain medications.  I have even scratched my head several times during my career at how farriers were sedating horses for shoeing.  Sure, they are qualified to perform shoeing or trimming, but when did they learn the ins and outs of anesthesia, not to mention the ability to monitor the cardiovascular system.  The point here is that the farriers, just like many trainers, are not qualified to monitor for side effects, not to mention contraindications, but ultimately, the question still remains as to how they got their hands on these medications?  In the end, there is only one source and that is the veterinarian.  In many situations, the medications are prescribed for other reasons or as part of a treatment regimen, but are none the less used in improper situations where they were not intended to be used.  In other cases, we have veterinarians that often times are not even equine practitioners, dispensing these medications to farriers  as well as trainers for a price.

This is frustrating to me as a veterinarian as I believe that most medications are to be used in the situation they were intended.  Antibiotics should not be mass stored in barns for random use and sedatives should be monitored closely.  Things can and do go wrong, even with proper use of these medications, but the chances of this happening skyrocket when in the improper hands.

I was recently reading a story about a pony that passed away suddenly at an event in December of 2012.  The article revealed the treatment sheet for this particular horse, which included two corticosteroids, an NSAID medication, anti-ulcer medications as well as hormones.  I have to shake my head in amazement as I have never had a sick patient on this amount of medication, let alone a competing athlete.  Who dispensed these medications and ultimately, who is liable?  Was there no veterinary supervision or guidance?  The medication contraindication list in this situation is long, but somehow they were still given on a routine basis to this horse. The risk was huge to the horse, but what about the child that could have been riding him and potentially injured as a result?

I guess what truly amazes me is that some of these prescription medications are allowed in competition horses under certain circumstances but yet some herbs are completely banned.  Many prescription medications are often only bandaids for medical problems, potentially covering up serious underlying conditions and can have serious side effects.  Herbs on the other hand actually have the potential to improve overall health and thus positively impact many health conditions with minimal to no side effects.  So, where is the logic?

I look to explore this topic more in the future as it is a hot topic right now, especially in the TB racing industry.  I think we need to raise questions as to why these medications are being used.  Is there a clinical problem?  A lameness?  Attitude adjustment needed?  If we know the reason, then maybe we can find a solution to the problem. There is certainly much controversy as to what is right and what is wrong.  Give me your input, your thoughts and stories.

Look forward to discussing this further.

Tom Schell, D.V.M.
www.curost.com