The California Horse Racing Board’s first-year medical director, Jeff Blea, will face a number of charges related to improper medication administration while he works as a racetrack veterinarian. could put your veterinary license at risk.
First reported by LA time, the California Veterinary Health Commission filed a 27-page complaint on December 17 listing eight allegations against Blea. The Veterinary Board has called for a hearing on allegations that could result in the revocation or suspension of Blea’s license and fines of up to $5,000.
BloodHorse confirmed the allegations through a review of the complaint. Veterinarians Vince Baker and Sarah Graybill Jones are also subject to complaints.
Blea, who declined to comment on the Los Angeles Times story, began his role as equine medical director on July 1 after the retirement of Rick Arthur, who had held the position for 15 years. Blea is expected to play a key role in the CHRB investigation following the Kentucky Derby death presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) Medina Spirit after a practice session on December 6 at Santa Anita . Park.
The Veterinary Council said in the filing that it received an anonymous complaint that Blea and other veterinarians prescribed and administered drugs, including Thyroxine, to equine patients without need testing or medical necessity. In the complaint, the veterinary panel said it had investigated and obtained information that Blea prescribed, dispensed and administered thyroxine and other drugs to racehorses without testing or necessary medical conditions. medical side.
Starting January 1, California will begin to strictly regulate thyroxine, a thyroid medication. Years ago in 2014, the CHRB issued guidance to veterinarians and horsemen on the prescribing, dispensing, and labeling of thyroid hormone in an effort to curb the indiscriminate use of thyroid medication.
The Times story notes that CHRB equine medical director does not need to be an active veterinarian. CHRB CEO Scott Chaney expressed confidence in Blea and told the Times that Blea will continue to serve in her role throughout the veterinary panel’s appeals process.
“I have known and worked with Dr Blea for over 20 years, and in that time I have never met a veterinarian more dedicated to the care of horses,” Chaney told the Times. “In my view, he has always demonstrated high ethical standards. In short, he has dedicated his life to the protection and promotion of animal welfare. I wish Dr. Blea to continue. continue to serve the CHRB and the equestrian industry during the next phase of the resolution of this matter.”
Blea was a practicing veterinarian on the Southern California track for 28 years before taking on the post of equine medical director. The veterinary panel’s charges relate to actions from September 3, 2020 to January 26, 2021 (before he began his role as equine medical director).
The complaint, which did not list a hearing date, also said the veterinary panel requested and received medical records showing other violations of the Veterinary Practices Act. The Times reports that an emergency hearing has been scheduled for December 24 to determine whether Blea’s license should be temporarily suspended.
Various charges include negligence of veterinary practice, dispensing of dangerous drugs that were not medically necessary, failure to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship, and record-keeping violations. malpractice, violations of drug mislabeling rules, possession or use of prohibited drugs, failure to provide the requested drug, and violations related to anesthetic administration.
