A veterinarian says someone else may have administered a prohibited racing drug to a horse he was caring for, in the leadup to a racing event it won.
Dr Patrick Casey, who has been practising as a veterinarian for more than 20 years, is facing five charges of professional misconduct before a Veterinary Council hearing in relation to the administration of the drug Ketoprofen to the racehorse Faalcon.
Ketoprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug, can also boost a horse's performance.
While it is commonly used to treat pain in racehorses, strict guidelines provided by the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association (EVA) determine administration of the drug to ensure it is not in the animal's system during competition.
Dr Casey allegedly administered to Faalcon a dose 55 per cent in excess of what was recommended for a horse of his weight, according to commonly accepted EVA guidelines, before an Otago race in 2009.
Faalcon, a 5-year-old chestnut gelding, won the race by three-quarters of a length, but was later disqualified after a swab and urine test showed traces of Ketoprofen.
In his statement to the hearing yesterday, Dr Casey said other people had access to Faalcon in the days leading up to the race.
"I administered the drug 81 hours prior to the racing event," he read.
"However, I did not have full care and custody of Faalcon from the time I administered the drug to the racing event.
"I administered the drug and immediately left the premises," Dr Casey stated.
"I did not return and I did not know whether some other person had further administered Ketoprofen or some other drug to Faalcon."
Dr Casey told the hearing he believed treating Faalcon with a higher amount of Ketoprofen was more "efficacious", according to overseas research into equine treatment. Faalcon suffered from joint inflammation in his knees, he said.
"The [EVA] guidelines state not to give more than one gram [of Ketoprofen] 72 hours prior to racing," Dr Casey said.
The dose he gave to Faalcon was administered far enough before the 2009 Otago race "so that by 72 hours, there would certainly be less than one gram" in his system, he told the court.
During cross-examination, Dr Casey was questioned around his treatment records for Faalcon.
He revealed Faalcon's records relating to the administration of the Ketoprofen dose under investigation were missing.
A "job-sheet" and physical bills relating to treatment of the horse were filled out , Dr Casey said.
"I actually can't find the ones for Faalcon."
Dr Casey was also forced to defend his consultation methods for Faalcon.
Lawyer Matthew McClelland, who is representing the Complaints Assessment Committee of the Veterinary Council, said it was surprising no physical examination was undertaken by Dr Casey before he prescribed Ketoprofen.
"I looked at him", Dr Casey replied.
"If a horse is under your care, often you'll know exactly what to look for."
"It [Faalcon] has sensitive knees," he said.
The hearing continues.
