1. (a) No person shall permit or administer a corticosteroid intra-articular joint injection into a high-motion joint of a horse unless diagnostic imaging of that joint is performed within the seven days preceding the injection.

   1. (1) For purposes of this regulation, “high-motion joints” shall be defined as the metacarpophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal, and carpus joints.
   2. (2) For purposes of this regulation, “diagnostic imaging” shall be defined as radiographs, a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, scintigraphy, a computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging, or ultrasound.
2. (b) No person shall permit a horse to race if it has received an intra-articular joint injection within fourteen (14) days of race day.

3. (c) No person shall permit a horse to race if it has received a corticosteroid intra-articular joint injection into a fetlock joint within thirty (30) days of race day.

   1. (1) For purposes of this section, “fetlock joint” includes both the metacarpophalangeal joints and the metatarsophalangeal joints.
4. (d) In accordance with section 1866, subsection (d)(1), no person shall permit a horse to complete a timed workout if it has received a corticosteroid intra-articular joint injection within the previous ten (10) days.
5. (e) The official veterinarian shall place any horse receiving intra-articular joint injection treatment on the Veterinarian's List for a length of time consistent with the time period established in subsection (b) or (c), as applicable.
6. (f) Any person in violation of subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) shall be considered to have committed a prohibited veterinary practice and will be subject to a Category A penalty as described in section 1843.3.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 19440, 19562 and 19580, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 19440, 19562 and 19580, Business and Professions Code.

History

1. New section filed 10-19-2021; operative 10-19-2021 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2021, No. 43).

2. New subsections (a)-(a)(2), subsection relettering and amendment of newly designated subsections (e) and (f) filed 4-2-2024; operative 7-1-2024 (Register 2024, No. 14).