DETECTION OF METABOLITES OF A VETERINARY COUNTERIRRITANT IN CANINE URINE

Routine paper chromatographic screening of the urine of racing greyhou nds exposed to BIGELOIL, a veterinary counter-irritant, revealed metab olites suggestive of menthol, an ingredient of BIGELOIL. To determine whether BIGELOIL use caused these metabolites, 2 Dalmatian dogs were e xposed to BIGELOIL. Thin-layer chromatographic screening of their urin e confirmed that exposure to BIGELOIL by either dermal or oral routes causes the same metabolites as those observed in the racing greyhounds . Metabolites suggestive of thymol were also present in some samples. We conclude that, if metabolites suggestive of menthol are detected in urine of animal athletes, further analysis for the other performance- affecting ingredients of BIGELOIL should be undertaken.