California Updates its Medications Rules for 2014 Competitions

California updated its Drug and Medication rules in December 2013 for the upcoming year.
 
Who should take note?
 
This affects not only USEF shows, but competitions sanctioned by the AQHA (Quarter Horses), AERC (Endurance), and NHRA (reining) as well as other competitions run in California where the drug testing is done by the Equine Medication Monitoring Program of the CDFA (California Department of Food and Agriculture).  You can tell if you must comply with these new rules if you are paying a drug testing fee when you enter a competition.
 
In August 2013 the California legislature passed a law that allowed the CDFA to change the medications rules through a regulatory process instead of having to have a law passed by the legislature to make any changes.  In response to guidance from their advisory panel composed of people from the horse industry, the regulations were issued and approved in December 2013.  The new rules essentially make the California equine medication rules the same as the USEF rules.
 
What does this mean for you?
 
One anti-inflammatory medication - You can only use one drug like bute or Banamine or Surpass or Ketofen or Equioxx on your horse during a horse show. 
 
My current recommendation is that if you are using an anti-inflammatory medication, Equioxx (firocoxib) is frequently the best choice because when used in accordance with the rules it will provide its anti-inflammatory effect for 24 hours.   Others such as bute and Banamine really last only 12 hours and since you cannot give a dose any closer than 12 hours before competition, then the medication is not helping your horse when your horse needs it most.  To learn more about using Equioxx read my previous post ->  Click Here
 
Methocarbamol (Robaxin) and Dexamethasone
 
Prior to December 2013, there was a conflict between the USEF rules and the California rules regarding these two medications.  That has been eliminated.  Under both the USEF and California rules you can now use them 12 hours prior to competition.  For a 1000 lb horse Methocarbamol up to 5 grams and Dexamethasone up to 10 mg.  Of note is that the USEF limits have changed since last season and the California rules follow those changes.  Last year you could give Methocarbamol 6 hours prior to competition now it is 12 hours.  Last year you could give 20 mg of Dexamethasone 12 hours prior to competition, now it is 10 mg.
 
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The same exceptions are made for both the USEF and California rules in cases of urgent need.
 
Emergency Use of Flunixin (Banamine®):  A veterinarian may administer flunixin to an equine for the treatment of colic or an ophthalmic emergency provided there is a 24-hour withdrawal of the animal from competition after administration and the
veterinarian files a drug declaration.  This means if you are using another similar drug like bute you can also use Banamine in this case.  If you are only using Banamine at the show then you do not have to withdraw your horse from competition for 24 hours unless you use it closer than 12 hours prior to competition.
 
12 Hour Injectable Rule:
 
There can be no administration of injectable substances within 12 hours of competition, except by a veterinarian administering the following:
 
 a. A maximum of 10 liters of emergency fluids within 6-12 hours of competition
 b. Antibiotics (Procaine Penicillin is prohibited)
 c. Dexamethasone injection within 6-12 hours of competition for the treatment of hives.
 
The veterinarian must file a drug declaration following the administration of these substances.
 
For further information, you can go to the CDFA Web site - Click Here