Thomas Tobin

Veterinarian, Pharmacologist, Toxicologist

Education
MVB (DVM) University College, Dublin, 1964
PhD Pharmacology-Toxicology, University of Toronto, 1970

Licenses                horse
Licensed Veterinarian, Kentucky, NS 1053

Boards             drugs          
Diplomate, American Board of Toxicology, DABT

Employment
Professor of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky   drugs horse
Professor, Graduate Center for Toxicology, University of Kentucky

Address
Rm. 128C Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY USA 40546-0099
Office: (859) 257-4757 x81092    FAX: (859) 257-8542
Univ of Kentucky e-mail:  ttobin(att)uky.edu    
                  Home e-mail: ttobin(att)thomastobin.com
                                        Replace (att) with @

Thomas Tobin is a veterinarian, a doctoral level pharmacologist and a board certified toxicologist. For the last 27 years his professional focus has been in the area of drug and medication control, therapeutics and toxicology in performance horses.    horse drugs

Tobin wrote the standard textbook in the area of equine medication control Drugs and the Performance Horse, 1981.  He has made numerous invited presentations worldwide and been invited to present expert professional opinions on all five continents.

In 1983, he testified before a Congressional Subcommittee on the matter of "The Corrupt Horse Racing Practices Act."  In 1985, responding to a Kentucky Racing Commission directive, he began a research program that introduced ELISA testing into horse racing. Introduction of this technology revolutionized equine medication control worldwide, and "spun off" an ELISA company from the University of Kentucky.  In 1988, he became Director of the Graduate Center for Toxicology at UK. In 1994 he started an initiative on "thresholds" for therapeutic medications that led to his being named "Man of the Year" by the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.  In 1996, responding to the perceived threat of Equine Protozoal Myelitis [EPM], Thomas Tobin and David Granstrom identified and patented new and highly effective therapeutic approaches to EPM based on the use of triazine drugs. 

In 2001 the Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome [MRLS] hit Kentucky around May 1st.  Within four weeks Tobin's research program had focused on toxins associated with the Eastern Tent Caterpillar as the probable cause of MRLS.  Research directed towards identifying the caterpillar related toxin/agent is currently ongoing.