Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) reminds participants that arsenic at a mass concentration above 800 nanograms per millilitre in a sample of urine taken from a greyhound is a breach of the Greyhound Racing Rules.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring trace element that is normally present in greyhounds at very low levels as a result of normal dietary intake.
An excessive amount of arsenic, however, has an effect on the cardiovascular system (Gar 1) and therefore is a prohibited substance when present in a sample at concentrations above that which would naturally occur through routine nutritional sources.
The threshold set in the Greyhound Racing Rules has been determined following a national population survey that measured urinary arsenic levels in 2849 greyhounds sampled on race day. It has been set at a level to allow for normal amounts of arsenic supplementation through routine nutritional sources.
Trainers are advised to be extremely cautious using products that contain arsenic close to racing as this may inadvertently lead to a rise in urinary arsenic levels. The administration, particularly by injection and on multiple occasions or at larger ‘off-label’ doses, of certain registered vitamin supplements close to racing may result in a level of arsenic in a subsequent sample that exceeds this threshold. Trainers are therefore advised to avoid the use of these supplements close to racing.
Examples of injectable vitamin supplements that contain arsenic include: NV Ferrocyl Injection (Sodium Cacodylate 6.4 mg/mL), NV Jurocyl (Sodium Arsanilate 50 mg/mL), TROY Invigorate As Injection (Sodium Arsanilate 50 mg/mL) and Jurox ARCYL Solution For Injection (Sodium Arsanilate 50 mg/mL).
Participants are reminded to follow good husbandry practices including using gloves to prepare the greyhound’s food, not allowing the greyhound to lick human skin and not storing medication within the kennels.
While there is generally no medical indication for arsenic supplementation in a healthy greyhound fed a balanced diet, where veterinary advice indicates these supplements are required, they should be given following the labelled advice of the manufacturer and ensure an adequate withholding period is followed prior to racing.
Compliance with this rule will be enforced by GRNSW through all available means including regular kennel inspections, inspections of medications and treatment records, and regular out of competition testing, as well as through routine race day sampling.
