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Effects of furosemide on the racing times of Thoroughbreds.
Abstract: The effects of furosemide on the racing times of 79 horses without exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) and 52 horses with EIPH were investigated. Racing times were adjusted to 1-mile equivalent racing times by 2 speed handicapping methods, and analysis of covariance was used to adjust actual racing times by winning time and distance for each race. All 3 methods of determining racing time indicated that geldings without EIPH had significantly faster racing times (P less than 0.05) when given furosemide before racing than when furosemide was not given before racing. Females and colts without EIPH were determined to have faster racing times when furosemide was given before racing, but the difference was not significant. Geldings with EIPH had significantly faster racing times (P = 0.0231) when given furosemide before racing, as determined by one of the speed handicapping methods. There was a strong correlation (range 0.9314 to 0.9751) between the 1-mile equivalent racing times, as determined by the 2 speed handicapping methods for horses with and without EIPH. Furosemide failed to prevent the development of EIPH in many horses that were previously considered to be EIPH-negative. When given furosemide, 62 (25.3%) of 235 EIPH-negative horses were EIPH-positive after racing. Furosemide had questionable efficacy for prevention of EIPH in known EIPH-positive horses. Thirty-two (61.5%) of 52 EIPH-positive horses given furosemide before a race remained EIPH-positive after that race.
Publication Date: 1990-05-01 PubMed ID: 2337276 The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates the effects of furosemide on the racing times of Thoroughbred horses, both with and without exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). The results indicate that furosemide can improve racing times, particularly in geldings without EIPH, but it may not prevent the development of EIPH.
Research Methodology
- The study examines the effects of furosemide on two groups of horses – 79 horses without EIPH and 52 horses with EIPH.
- The racing times are adjusted to make a mile equivalent by using two speed handicapping methods. An analysis of covariance is also used to adjust the actual racing times according to the distance and winning time of each race.
- The study uses a total of three methods to determine racing times with and without the administration of furosemide before racing.
Key Findings
- The research found that geldings without EIPH had significantly faster racing times when given furosemide prior to racing.
- Females and colts without EIPH also had faster racing times when given furosemide, but the difference wasn’t statistically significant.
- Geldings with EIPH also had significantly improved racing times when given furosemide, as determined by one of the speed handicapping methods.
- A strong correlation was observed between the mile equivalent racing times for horses with and without EIPH, as calculated by the two speed handicapping methods.
Limited Efficacy of Furosemide in Preventing EIPH
- The study also found that furosemide failed to prevent EIPH in a significant number of horses which were originally categorized as EIPH-negative. Around 25.3% of such horses tested EIPH-positive after racing, despite having been given furosemide.
- Among horses known to be EIPH-positive, the efficacy of furosemide was questionable. Post-race, around 61.5% of EIPH-positive horses remained so even after furosemide administration before the race.
Conclusions
- The study concludes that while furosemide can have a beneficial effect on racing times, its efficacy in preventing EIPH is uncertain.
- It suggests further research into the relationship between EIPH and racing times, along with investigations into alternatives to furosemide for EIPH management.
Cite This Article
APA
Sweeney CR, Soma LR, Maxson AD, Thompson JE, Holcombe SJ, Spencer PA.
(1990).
Effects of furosemide on the racing times of Thoroughbreds.
Am J Vet Res, 51(5), 772-778.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square 19348.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Furosemide / pharmacology
- Hemorrhage / etiology
- Hemorrhage / prevention & control
- Hemorrhage / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses / physiology
- Lung Diseases / etiology
- Lung Diseases / prevention & control
- Lung Diseases / veterinary
- Physical Exertion / drug effects
- Sex Factors
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Lopez Sanchez CM, Kogan C, Gold JR, Sellon DC, Bayly WM. Relationship between tracheobronchoscopic score and bronchoalveolar lavage red blood cell numbers in the diagnosis of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Jan;34(1):322-329.
- Poole DC, Erickson HH. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage: where are we now?. Vet Med (Auckl) 2016;7:133-148.
- Gold JR, Knowles DP, Coffey T, Bayly WM. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in barrel racing horses in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Mar;32(2):839-845.
- Mellor DJ, Beausoleil NJ. Equine Welfare during Exercise: An Evaluation of Breathing, Breathlessness and Bridles. Animals (Basel) 2017 May 26;7(6).
- 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.
- Diwakar A, Schmidt GA. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in a nonathlete: case report and review of physiology. Lung 2014 Apr;192(2):329-31.
- Ferrucci F, Stancari G, Zucca E, Ayalon S, Falcone C, Ferro E. Specificity and sensitivity of ultrasonography and endoscopy for the diagnosis of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) in 157 race horses. Vet Res Commun 2009 Sep;33 Suppl 1:185-8.
- Alquarawi AA, Ali BH. A survey of the literature (1995-1999) on the kinetics of drugs in camels (Camelus dromedarius). Vet Res Commun 2000 May;24(4):245-60.
- Donaldson LL. A review of the pathophysiology of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in the equine athlete. Vet Res Commun 1991;15(3):211-26.
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