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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Effect of Intravenous Administration of Cobalt Chloride to H...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2017; 32(1); 441-449; doi: 10.1111/jvim.15029

Effect of Intravenous Administration of Cobalt Chloride to Horses on Clinical and Hemodynamic Variables.

Abstract: Cobalt chloride (CoCl ) is administered to racehorses to enhance performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical, cardiovascular, and endocrine effects of parenterally administered CoCl . Objective: To describe the effects of weekly intravenous doses of CoCl on Standardbred horses. Methods: Five, healthy Standardbred mares. Methods: Prospective, randomized, experimental dose-escalation pilot. Five Standardbred mares were assigned to receive 1 of 5 doses of CoCl (4, 2, 1, 0.5, or 0.25 mg/kg) weekly IV for 5 weeks. Physical examination, blood pressure, cardiac output, and electrocardiography (ECG) were evaluated for 4 hours after administration of the first and fifth doses. Blood and urine samples were collected for evaluation of cobalt concentration, CBC and clinical chemistry, and hormone concentrations. Results: All mares displayed pawing, nostril flaring, muscle tremors, and straining after CoCl infusion. Mares receiving 4, 2, or 1 mg/kg doses developed tachycardia after dosing (HR 60-126 bpm). Ventricular tachycardia was noted for 10 minutes after administration of the 4 mg/kg dose. Increases in systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) occurred after administration of all doses (4, 2, 1, 0.5, and 0.25 mg/kg). Profound hypertension was observed after the 4 mg/kg dose (SAP/DAP, MAP [mmHg] = 291-300/163-213, 218-279). Hemodynamics normalized by 1-2 hours after administration. ACTH and cortisol concentrations increased within 30 minutes of administration of all CoCl doses, and cardiac troponin I concentration increased after administration of the 4 and 2 mg/kg doses. Conclusions: The degree of hypertension and arrhythmia observed after IV CoCl administration raises animal welfare and human safety concerns.
Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2017-12-29 PubMed ID: 29286554PubMed Central: PMC5787161DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15029Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article explores the impact of intravenous administration of Cobalt Chloride (CoCl) on horses, with a focus on clinical, cardiovascular, and endocrine outcomes. The study reveals, among other things, that this common practice in the racing industry can lead to hypertension and arrhythmia, which are serious welfare and safety issues.

Research Objective

  • The primary aim of the study was to understand the effects of parenterally administered CoCl on Standardbred horses, specifically the clinical, cardiovascular, and endocrine effects. The researchers sought to help fill the knowledge-gap regarding the use and administration of CoCl, particularly since the substance has been known to enhance a horse’s performance in races.

Research Methodology

  • The study incorporated a prospective, randomized, experimental dose-escalation pilot. It involved five healthy Standardbred mares receiving varying doses of CoCl (4, 2, 1, 0.5, or 0.25 mg/kg) weekly IV for five weeks.
  • After the administration of the first and fifth doses, several variables were evaluated including physical examination, blood pressure, cardiac output, and electrocardiography (ECG).
  • Blood and urine samples were also collected to assess the cobalt concentration, complete blood count (CBC), clinical chemistry, and hormone concentrations.

Research Findings

  • All mares exhibited signs of discomfort such as pawing, nostril flaring, muscle tremors, and straining after the CoCl infusion.
  • Higher doses of CoCl (4, 2, or 1 mg/kg doses) induced tachycardia (a condition characterized by a faster than normal heart rate) in the mares. Ventricular tachycardia was observed for 10 minutes after administration of the highest dose of 4 mg/kg.
  • Increases in systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) occurred after administration of all doses. Profound hypertension was observed specially after the 4 mg/kg dose.
  • The abnormal hemodynamics seemed to normalize between 1-2 hours after the CoCl administration.
  • ACTH and cortisol concentrations increased within 30 minutes of all CoCl administrations, and the cardiac troponin I concentration also increased following the 4 and 2 mg/kg doses.

Conclusions

  • The study concludes that the administration of intravenous CoCl elicits significant hypertension and arrhythmia in horses, which raises serious concerns about the use of this substance due to welfare and safety implications for both horses and humans.

Cite This Article

APA
Burns TA, Dembek KA, Kamr A, Dooley SB, Dunbar LK, Aarnes TK, Bednarski LS, O'Brien C, Lakritz J, Byrum B, Wade A, Farmer R, Tan S, Toribio RE. (2017). Effect of Intravenous Administration of Cobalt Chloride to Horses on Clinical and Hemodynamic Variables. J Vet Intern Med, 32(1), 441-449. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15029

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 32
Issue: 1
Pages: 441-449

Researcher Affiliations

Burns, T A
  • The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH.
Dembek, K A
  • The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH.
Kamr, A
  • The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH.
Dooley, S B
  • The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH.
Dunbar, L K
  • The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH.
Aarnes, T K
  • The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH.
Bednarski, L S
  • The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH.
O'Brien, C
  • The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH.
Lakritz, J
  • The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH.
Byrum, B
  • Consumer Protection Laboratory, Analytical Toxicology Section, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Reynoldsburg, OH.
Wade, A
  • Consumer Protection Laboratory, Analytical Toxicology Section, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Reynoldsburg, OH.
Farmer, R
  • Consumer Protection Laboratory, Analytical Toxicology Section, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Reynoldsburg, OH.
Tan, S
  • Consumer Protection Laboratory, Analytical Toxicology Section, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Reynoldsburg, OH.
Toribio, R E
  • The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH.

MeSH Terms

  • Administration, Intravenous
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
  • Animals
  • Cobalt / administration & dosage
  • Cobalt / blood
  • Cobalt / pharmacology
  • Cobalt / urine
  • Female
  • Hemodynamics / drug effects
  • Horses
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Hypertension / chemically induced
  • Hypertension / veterinary
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prospective Studies
  • Tachycardia / chemically induced
  • Tachycardia / veterinary
  • Troponin I / blood

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Skalny AV, Zaitseva IP, Gluhcheva YG, Skalny AA, Achkasov EE, Skalnaya MG, Tinkov AA. Cobalt in athletes: hypoxia and doping - new crossroads.. J Appl Biomed 2019 Mar;17(1):28.
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  2. Kinsella HM, Hostnik LD, Rings LM, Swink JM, Burns TA, Toribio RE. Glucagon, insulin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol in response to carbohydrates and fasting in healthy neonatal foals.. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Jan;35(1):550-559.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.16024pubmed: 33415818google scholar: lookup
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