The Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) is advising the Canadian thoroughbred, quarter horse, and harness racing industries of upcoming changes to the Elimination Guidelines (EG).

Veterinarians and trainers should adjust their treatment protocols before the changes described below come into effect on April 3, 2023. The EGs on CPMA’s website will be updated at that time.

All EGs for medications not listed here will remain the same.

Only the EGs currently published on the CPMA’s website should be relied on when making treatment decisions for a racehorse.

The CPMA strongly recommends that you consult your veterinarian on any decision to administer supplements or medications to a horse.

If you have any questions, please contact the CPMA at 1-800-268-8835 or aafc.cpmawebacpm.aac@agr.gc.ca.

Summary of upcoming changes to the EG

Drug name	Current elimination guideline	New elimination guideline or change	Rationale for change
Atropine	24h / 15 mg IV / single	24h / 7 mg IV / single	Reduced dose better reflects current prescribing recommendations.
Ciclesonide	New	48h / 2744 µg AER twice daily for 5 days, followed by 4116 µg AER once daily for 5 days	Note that this EG applies to the Aservo Equihaler only, administered using the manufacturer’s applicator.
Dantrolene	36h / 1 g PO / single	48h / 1.5 g PO / single	The EG was lengthened to allow for the larger single dose.
Dembrexine	72h / 150 mg PO / twice daily x 4 days 72h / 150 mg PO / single	72h / 150 mg PO / twice daily x 4 days Removed	Administrative change to simplify guidance.
Dexamethasone	New 48h / 25mg IV / single 48h / 10mg PO / once daily x 5 days	48h / 20 mg IM / single 48h / 25mg IV / single 48h / 10mg PO / once daily x 5 days	The IM EG was developed in response to requests from veterinarians.
Flunixin	48h / 500 mg PO / single 48h / 500 mg IV / single 72h / 500 mg IM / single 72h / 500 mg IM / once daily x 3 days 72h / 500 mg IM / once daily x 5 days	48h / 500 mg PO / single 48h / 500 mg IV / single Removed Removed Removed	Intramuscular use is no longer recommended due to the risk of adverse reactions.
Isoflupredone	48h / 24 mg IM / single New	Removed 6 days / 10 mg IA / single	The intramuscular use is no longer recommended due to the variable and extended elimination of isoflupredone by this route.
Meloxicam	48h / 90 mg PO / single 54h / 270 mg IV / single	72h / 250 mg PO / single 72h / 270 mg IV / single	The EG was lengthened to allow for the larger single oral dose. The IV dose was lengthened to be in line with other jurisdictions.
Mepivacaine	48h / 300 mg IA / single 48h / 300 mg SC / single	72h / 250 mg IA / single 48h / 300 mg SC / single	The dose was lowered to better represent the manufacturer’s recommended IA dosage. The EG was lengthened to provide more time for re-evaluation of the horse between joint block and racing.
Penicillin G Procaine	425h / 2 million IU IM / single (Derapen, Diathol) 425h / 4 million IU IM / single (Azimycin, Cillimycin, Penamycin, Pen-Strep Suspension, Pen Di Strep) 425h / 4 million IU IM / once daily x 5 days (Pen Di Strep) 425h / 6 million IU IM / single (Ethacillin) 60h / 4 million IU PO / single 48h / 0.2 million IU TOP / single	425h / 2 million IU IM / single (Derapen, Diathol) 425h / 4 million IU IM / single (Azimycin, Cillimycin, Penamycin, Pen-Strep Suspension, Pen Di Strep) 425h / 4 million IU IM / once daily x 5 days (Pen Di Strep) 425h / 6 million IU IM / single (Ethacillin) Removed Removed	Penicillin G Procaine is no longer recommended for oral or topical use.
Salicylic Acid	24h / 11.7g PO / single 6h / 8.38g TOP / single 0h / 3.35g TOP / single	24h / 11.7g PO / single Removed Removed	The CPMA no longer supports the administration of this substance within 24 hours of racing.
Theophylline	New 96h / 1.5 g IV / single	72h / 4 g PO / single 96h / 1.5 g IV / single	This EG was developed in response to requests from veterinarians.
Triamcinolone acetonide	New 6 days / 20 mg IA / single	24h / 10 mg TOP / single 6 days / 20 mg IA / single	This EG was developed in response to requests from veterinarians.
Trichlormethiazide	24h / 100 mg PO / single 24h / 200 mg PO / single 24h / 100 mg IV / single 36h / 100 mg IM / single	48h / 100 mg PO / single 48h / 200 mg PO / single 48h / 100 mg IV / single 48h / 100 mg IM / single	The EG was changed to align with dexamethasone guidance.
Xylazine	24h / 500 mg IV / single	48h / 500 mg IV / single	The EG was lengthened to provide more time for re-evaluation of the horse between sedation and racing.

Acronym	Glossary
ug	Microgram
AER	Aerosol
g	Grams
h	Hours
IA	Intra-articular
IM	Intramuscular
IU	International Units
IV	Intravenous
mg	Milligrams
PO	Per os; by mouth; oral
SC	Subcutaneous Injection
TOP	Topical

Also available online.

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