The Top 5 Reasons For Getting A Positive Swab
1. I don't know! About
1 in 10 of trainers answer that they have no idea why the horse returned
a positive swab. But not knowing or ignorance is not a relevant defence.
2. I wasn't at the stable and left
Joe to get him ready for the races. Joe must have given him the
wrong feed. Both the person left in charge of the horse and the trainer
are guilty of an offence if the horse is not presented free of a prohibited
substance. The trainer can't delegate responsibility of the horse. This
case reflects poor communication at the stables either by the trainer
in either not giving instructions or else inadequate instructions or by
Joe in not understanding the instructions.
3. I gave him what the vet told
me to. The horse was OK last time. Some 'positive' swabs found
on urine tests are anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat tendon injuries
or arthritis pain. The drugs are 'prescription only' treatments and should
only be obtained from a veterinarian who has inspected the horse and is
aware of its health history. Verbal advice on treatment can be misinterpreted
or forgotten. All treatment schedules should be written down by the veterinarian
and either attached to the drug container or else kept with the drug container.
The veterinarian is responsible for advising on any adverse sequelae (side
effects) following treatment. A drug residue which can be detected in
a swab is one side effect which a trainer should avoid. Treating a horse
using 'left-over' drug from a previous treatment can put the trainer at
risk of a 'positive'. The length of time a drug residue remains in a horse's
system can change
depending upon the health of the horse. Long term use of drugs such as Bute
can affect the health of the kidneys which are important for the removal
of drugs from the system. Drugs which are kept in poor conditions (high
environmental temperatures or exposure to sunlight) or are older than their
expiry date can give unpredictable responses when used.
two 'possibles' would be unusual in a
race fit animal and furosemide would be detectable in a swab.
The use of sodium bicarbonate as a feed
additive or as a drench can increase blood TCO2. There are other substances
which can also increase blood TCO2 which may be accidentally given to
a horse by a trainer or other person who is not aware of their effect
or else neglects to read the ingredients in a treatment.
These alkalising agents can be found
in electrolyte solutions, acidosis treatments, diuretics and urinary alkalisers.
They may also be found in human treatments. Common alkalising agents are
sodium citrate and sodium succinate.
Makybe Diva certainly had no swabbing worries after the Melbourne
Cup
“Many
common drugs originated from 'natural' substances .”
Inside This Issue
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4. It was a herbal/vitamin preparation
which I bought over the counter or by mail order. People can mistakenly
believe that because herbal or vitamin mixes are 'natural', they should
be OK for use in the horse because they are not a 'drug'. Many common
drugs originated from 'natural' substances (for example salicylic acid
or aspirin from the bark of certain trees). More than 750mcg of salicylic
acid in a urine sample is a 'positive' swab. Guarana, the 'yuppies' herbal
tablet, is a source of caffeine which is readily detected in a urine sample.
5. I didn't use a milkshake and
I have never used one. The horse must have a ‘high bicarb’ because
it is a poor traveller/ it came from a hilly area/ it only drinks bore
water/it was stirred up in the stables/ it has a bit of a cold . Elevated
TCO2 levels in horses can be due to severe respiratory (lung) problems,
chronic kidney failure, treatment with the drug furosemide or the administration
of an alkalising agent. The first