animalnewsblog.com

The recent deaths of 21 polo horses has undoubtedly received the most interest in horses nationally since Eight Belles was euthanized at the Kentucky Derby almost one year ago.  The unfortunate event pushed current compounding laws into the spotlight.  It has been reported in an Argentinian newspaper (where most of the horses originated from) that a toxic dose of selenium was added to the vitamin mixture given to the horses.  The vitamin mixture was supposed to resemble Biodyl, which is not FDA approved in the US.  Biodyl, which is a popular injectible vitamin/mineral supplement in other countries, was never FDA approved simply because the company did not submit an application for approval.  However, in this instance, the prescribing veterinarian felt that the horses needed to have this drug, and therefore chose to have it compounded.  Compounding is a common practice in veterinary medicine as there are many drugs that are not suitable to give to animal patients as they are.  In some instances, flavoring is added, like chicken or fish, so that a cat likes it better, or two drugs are added together so that you only need to give one shot instead of two.  Compounding is a legal practice in the US, but in light of current events, companies that compound will be under heavy scrutiny.  It is our opinion that the FDA will be re-examining the compounding laws and the rules and regulations therein.  It is also our opinion that mistakes like this, although tragic, are the exception rather than the rule.  We applaud Franck’s for owning up to the error as soon as it was discovered.