UPDATE ON THE USE OF THE MEDICINE DEXAMETHASONE IN RACING GREYHOUNDS
GRI
Greyhound Racing Ireland / Rásaíocht Con Éireann wishes to inform greyhound owners and trainers, that from January 1st 2023, a revised screening limit will take effect in relation to the medicine Dexamethasone.
Following on from the publication of recent studies and after careful consideration, GRI have taken the decision to reduce the screening limits for this medicine to 0.2ng/ml for plasma (blood) and 0.2ng/ml for urine in line with published international scientific research.
Dexamethasone is available in many different forms, both short acting and long acting and is used widely in the treatment of injuries and ailments, in many species of animals, including farm animals. Consequently, it is entirely possible that, as a result of the new screening limits, there may be positives which are as a result of carryover of this medicine from Category 2 meat into racing greyhounds.
These levels will mean that a withdrawal period of at least 10 days (when using a short acting preparation) should be observed with this drug in advance of competition. The withdrawal period is the length of time that is required for the levels of dexamethasone to return below 0.2ng/ml in Plasma (blood) and 0.2ng/ml in urine, after the administration of this medicine to the greyhound. Unfortunately, long-acting Dexamethasone preparations may last much longer and take many times this period to return below the levels set above.