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Bova UK confirms omeprazole ‘free from testosterone’
“Many vets and horse owners now rely on long acting injectable omeprazole for horses that do not respond to oral treatment.”

New batch tested following concerns from the racing industry

Drug company Bova UK has confirmed its long-acting injectable omeprazole has been declared free from testosterone, after low levels were found in the product last month.

Supply of the product ceased in Australia after the initial discovery by the New South Wales racing authority.

Samples tested by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) confirmed the issue extended to the UK and the racing body recently advised against using injectible omeprazole in racehorses.

Testing by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) did not detect testosterone in the newly prepared batch of Bova’s 100mg/ml injectable omeprazole formulation.

Racing New South Wales released a statement to confirm that the product can continue to be used in racehorses following the guidance of Australian Commonwealth and State legislation.

Nick Bova, the firm’s managing director, said: “Traces of testosterone in the previous batch were less than one millionth of the internationally accepted standard for impurities. Independent experts confirmed that there could be no adverse effects on equine health or equestrian sport, however, we have taken steps to identify and completely eliminate the excipient ingredient that contained traces of testosterone.

“Bova can confirm that new batches of this product will not contain the previous trace levels of testosterone and therefore Bova are confident there will be no antidoping issues, no matter what the equestrian pursuit is.”

He added: “Many vets and horse owners now rely on long acting injectable omeprazole for horses that do not respond to oral treatment.”

Following the news, the BHA issued an updated statement on the use of the product: “The BHA are aware of the most recent results from the batch analysed in Australia. Anyone treating thoroughbreds from birth to retirement from racing should consider the latest information, alongside that from analysis of previous batches, in deciding whether to use the product.”

 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.