Pre-Purchase Drug Screening

Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) members have long received requests from clients for drug screening as part of a Pre-Purchase Examination (PPE). 

To support this need, EVA worked with Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL), Australia’s largest racing laboratory. RASL provides race-day and out-of-competition drug screening services for thoroughbred and harness racing in Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. 

Following discussions with EVA, RASL agreed to offer a Pre-Purchase Examination Drug Screening Service through Vetnostics Pathology. This service is available exclusively as an EVA member benefit. 

Service Conditions 

Before accessing the service, EVA member clinics must acknowledge and comply with the following conditions: 

Eligibility 

  • Available only to current financial members of Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA), a special interest group of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). 
  • The examining veterinarian’s AVA membership number must be recorded on the official, original, individually numbered EVA PPE form. 
  • Membership access cannot be transferred, shared, or used by proxy. 

Any breach of these requirements may be considered a breach of the AVA Code of Conduct, investigated accordingly, and may result in referral to the relevant regulatory authority. 

Service Delivery 

  • The service is provided to EVA member clinics through Vetnostics Pathology (VIC & WA). 
  • The veterinary pathology laboratory acts as the contractor to the clinic. 
  • Pricing is determined exclusively between the pathology laboratory and the clinic. 
  • EVA and RASL do not participate in pricing discussions. 
  • Clinics must contact the pathology laboratory directly for information about testing fees and collection kits. 
  • Clinics will not hold direct accounts with RASL and should not communicate directly with RASL regarding testing services. 

Horse Eligibility 

This service is: 

✅ Available for non-racing horses undergoing a genuine pre-purchase examination. 

❌ Not available for thoroughbred or standardbred horses currently registered with racing authorities. Alternative drug screening options may be available through the relevant racing stewards. 

✅ Available for formally retired thoroughbred or standardbred horses when testing forms part of a genuine PPE. 

Testing Parameters 

  • Blood is the only sample type accepted. 
  • Urine samples will not be accepted. 
  • The screening is not a comprehensive drug test. 
  • Not all drugs can be detected. 
  • Detection of any specific drug cannot be guaranteed. 
  • RASL aims to return results to the pathology laboratory within 4-5 working days of receiving the sample. 

Sample Verification and Dispute Resolution 

  • A secondary (“B”) sample will be collected and retained for up to two months. 
  • If the primary (“A”) sample returns a positive result and the finding is disputed, the “B” sample may be sent to another appropriately qualified racing analytical laboratory nominated by RASL. 
  • Testing of the “B” sample will be at the expense of the disputing party. 
  • RASL’s decision regarding the testing laboratory is final, and no correspondence will be entered into on this matter. 
  • The examining veterinarian must certify in writing on the official EVA PPE form that the submitted sample was collected from the horse being examined. 

 

Drug Groups Screened 

The PPE Drug Screening Service includes testing for the following drug classes: 

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) 

Including, but not limited to: 

  • Phenylbutazone 
  • Flunixin 
  • Meloxicam 
  • Firocoxib 

Sedatives 

Including, but not limited to: 

  • Acepromazine 
  • Detomidine 
  • Reserpine 
  • Xylazine 

Corticosteroids 

Including, but not limited to: 

  • Dexamethasone 
  • Prednisolone 
  • Triamcinolone acetonide 

Local Anaesthetics 

Including, but not limited to: 

  • Lignocaine 
  • Mepivacaine 
  • Prilocaine 

Additional Testing 

  • Anabolic steroids can be screened as an additional test for an additional fee. 

 

How to Access the Service 

To utilise the Pre-Purchase Drug Screening Service, clinics must have an existing account or establish a new account with: 

Vetnostics Western Australia 
📞 (08) 9317 0777 or Email: vetnostics.WA@vetnostics.com.au 

Vetnostics Victoria 
📞 1300 838 522 or Email: vetnostics.VIC@vetnostics.com.au 

Required Documents 

  • EVA Pre-Purchase Examination (PPE) Form