Drug Screen – NSAIDs (LC/MS) - Equine
The NSAIDs Drug Screen using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) is a comprehensive and highly sensitive diagnostic test developed to detect and quantify a wide range of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in equine biological serum samples. NSAIDs are commonly administered to horses to manage pain, inflammation, and fever. However, the improper use or overuse of these medications can lead to adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal ulceration, renal damage, and regulatory noncompliance in performance horses.
This test targets a broad spectrum of NSAIDs, including NSAID targets: acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid, carprofen, celcoxib, deracoxib, diclofenac, diflunisal, eltenac, ethacrynic acid, etodolac, fenbufen, fenoprofen, firocoxib, flufenamic acid, flunixin, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, indoprofen, ketoprofen, ketorolac, meclofenamic acid, mefanamic acid, meloxicam, nabumetone, naproxen, oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone, piroxicam, salicylic acid, tenoxicam, tolfenamic acid, and tolmetin ensuring precise detection even at trace levels. The LC/MS technique provides unparalleled specificity and accuracy, making it a critical tool for veterinarians and regulatory authorities to ensure the ethical and safe use of NSAIDs in equine care and competition.
5 ml Serum
Collect an adequate amount of blood in a plain red-top tube or serum separator tube (yellow-top tube). Allow it to clot at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes before separation.
Centrifuge to separate the serum. Transfer the clear serum into a new, leak-proof plain red-top tube and label it as "serum."
Excessively hemolyzed samples are not suitable for this test.
Unspun samples will not be accepted.
Refrigerate sample at 4oC until shipment.
Label each sample with the animal’s name and a unique identifier, using a permanent marker or a secure adhesive label
Ensure the submittal form is completed with the animal’s information and relevant medical history.
Hinchcliff, K.W., et al. "Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Use in Equine Practice: Pharmacokinetics and Regulatory Perspectives." Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 2022.
Soma, L.R., et al. "Advanced Detection Techniques for NSAIDs in Equine Samples Using LC/MS." Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2021.
Tobin, T., et al. "Comprehensive NSAID Screening in Equine Medicine: A Regulatory and Diagnostic Approach." Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 2023.