Trainers are reminded to show extreme caution using products that contain cobalt close to racing as this may inadvertently lead to a rise in urinary cobalt levels in their greyhounds.
Since 1 October 2015, a new Greyhound Racing Rule that sets a maximum urinary threshold for the presence of cobalt of 100 ng/mL in racing greyhounds has been in place.
Trainers are advised to avoid the use of certain registered Vitamin supplements by injection and on multiple occasions or at larger ‘off-label’ doses close to racing as practices such as these may result in a level of cobalt exceeding the threshold in a subsequent sample.
Examples of injectable Vitamin supplements that contain cobalt and/or Vitamin B12 include: V.A.M., Hemo-15, Hemoplex, Amino-lite 34X, Kynoselen, Tripart, Coforta, Folic Acid and Vitamin B-12, Dynajec and Cophos B. Various parasiticides, drenches and oral haematinics also contain cobalt.
Trainers who want to find out more information on this issue are encouraged to view the results from an administration study. Click here to view the study results.
Additional information can be found by Gar%2083%2010%20Cobalt%20threshold.pdf">clicking here.
In addition, for a current list of Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority registered products that contain cobalt or Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) visit: https://portal.apvma.gov.au/pubcris
Cobalt is a naturally occurring trace element that is normally present in greyhounds at very low levels as a result of normal dietary intake. Cobalt is also present in the structure of Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin).
Excessive amounts of cobalt have an effect on the cardiovascular system (Gar 1) as a haematopoietic agent and as a hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1 stabiliser (Gar 79A(2)(xiii)) and therefore has the potential to improve athletic performance. Therefore cobalt is both a prohibited substance and permanently banned prohibited substance when present at concentrations above that which would naturally occur through routine nutritional sources.
The maximum threshold for the presence of cobalt was determined following a national population survey that measured urinary cobalt levels in 762 greyhounds sampled on race day. It has been set at a level to allow for normal amounts of cobalt supplementation through routine nutritional sources.
