Effect of furosemide on performance of Thoroughbreds racing in the United States and Canada.
Abstract: To determine the effect of furosemide on performance of Thoroughbreds racing on dirt surfaces at tracks in the United States and Canada. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: All Thoroughbreds (n = 22,589) that finished a race on dirt surfaces at tracks in the United States and Canada between June 28 and July 13, 1997 in jurisdictions that allowed the use of furosemide. Methods: Race records were analyzed by use of multivariable ANOVA procedures and logistic regression analyses to determine the effect of furosemide on estimated 6-furlong race time, estimated racing speed, race earnings, and finish position. Principal component analysis was used to create orthogonal scores from multiple collinear variables for inclusion in the models. Results: Furosemide was administered to 16,761 (74.2%) horses. Horses that received furosemide raced faster, earned more money, and were more likely to win or finish in the top 3 positions than horses that did not. The magnitude of the effect of furosemide on estimated 6-furlong race time varied with sex, with the greatest effect in males. When comparing horses of the same sex, horses receiving furosemide had an estimated 6-furlong race time that ranged from 0.56 +/- 0.04 seconds (least-squares mean +/- SE) to 1.09 +/- 0.07 seconds less than that for horses not receiving furosemide, a difference equivalent to 3 to 5.5 lengths. Conclusions: Because of the pervasive use of furosemide and its apparent association with superior performance in Thoroughbred racehorses, further consideration of the use of furosemide and investigation of its effects in horses is warranted.
Publication Date: 1999-09-07 PubMed ID: 10476714
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the effect that the drug furosemide has on the performance of Thoroughbred horses racing on dirt surfaces in the United States and Canada. The study found that horses administered with furosemide generally raced faster, earned more money, and were more likely to place in the top three finishers.
Methodology
- The study used a cross-sectional design and focused on all Thoroughbred horses (22,589 in total) that completed a race on dirt tracks in the United States and Canada between June 28 and July 13, 1997.
- The races were held in jurisdictions that permitted the use of furosemide, a diuretic drug that is used to prevent bleedings in racehorses.
- Researchers utilized race records and conducted multivariable ANOVA procedures and logistic regression analyses to determine the impact of furosemide on the horses’ 6-furlong race time, estimated racing speed, race earnings, and finishing position.
- Principal Component Analysis was employed to generate orthogonal scores from multiple collinear variables to include in the models.
Results
- The results showed that furosemide was administered to a majority (74.2%) of the horses.
- Horses that were given furosemide ran faster, earned more money, and more frequently placed in the top three provisions compared to those who didn’t receive the drug.
- The effect of furosemide on estimated 6-furlong race time was found to vary by sex, with male horses showing the greatest effect.
- After taking sex into consideration, horses administered furosemide showed an estimated 6-furlong race time that was less by 0.56 +/- 0.04 seconds to 1.09 +/- 0.07 seconds compare to those who didn’t receive the drug. This difference is equivalent to 3 to 5.5 lengths
Conclusions
- The study concludes by pointing to the widespread use of furosemide and its clear association with improved performance in Thoroughbred racehorses.
- Given these findings, the authors advocate for further exploration of the usage of furosemide and the investigation of its effects on horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Gross DK, Morley PS, Hinchcliff KW, Wittum TE.
(1999).
Effect of furosemide on performance of Thoroughbreds racing in the United States and Canada.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 215(5), 670-675.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Canada
- Confidence Intervals
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Diuretics / therapeutic use
- Doping in Sports
- Female
- Furosemide / therapeutic use
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Multivariate Analysis
- Odds Ratio
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / statistics & numerical data
- Regression Analysis
- Sex Factors
- United States
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Poole DC, Erickson HH. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage: where are we now?. Vet Med (Auckl) 2016;7:133-148.
- Léguillette R, Steinmann M, Bond SL, Stanton B. Tracheobronchoscopic Assessment of Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage and Airway Inflammation in Barrel Racing Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jul;30(4):1327-32.
- Hinchcliff KW, Couetil LL, Knight PK, Morley PS, Robinson NE, Sweeney CR, van Erck E. Exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine consensus statement. J Vet Intern Med 2015 May-Jun;29(3):743-58.
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