The effects of frusemide on racing times of Standardbred pacers.
Abstract: Seven hundred and eighty-eight Standardbred pacers competing in 8378 races at one racetrack were analysed to determine the effects of the administration of prerace frusemide on racing times (RT). Frusemide was administered i.v. 4 h before the race to pacers diagnosed with exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH). Of the pacers, starting in the 1997 racing season, 32.5% received prerace frusemide. This study demonstrated that administration of frusemide prior to racing significantly decreased RT. There was an overall significant decrease (P<0.00001) in RT of 0.67 s. The overall RT for horses, geldings, and females, were mean +/- s.e 117.91 +/- 0.06, 118.20 +/- 0.03 and 118.86 +/- 0.04, respectively. RT progressively decreased until age 6 and increased thereafter. Horses, geldings and females ran a mean of 0.46, 0.31 and 0.74 s faster, respectively, with prerace administration of frusemide. This decrease in RT following prerace administration was most pronounced in younger pacers. In this study, a greater percentage of older pacers received prerace frusemide; however, the effect of frusemide on RT was decreasing with age. Prerace venous acid-base screening was performed in 2729 of the pacers competing. Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission Regulations disqualify Standardbreds from racing with a base excess of over 10 and 12 mmol/l for Standardbreds without and with prerace administration of frusemide. The prerace venous acid-base levels were not significantly related to RT and, for those Standardbreds also sampled following the race, there was no correlation between pre- and postrace acid-base status.
Publication Date: 2000-08-22 PubMed ID: 10952383DOI: 10.2746/042516400777032264Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research outlined in this article probes the influence of prerace administration of frusemide on the racing times of Standardbred pacers, showing a significant reduction in racing time after the administration of frusemide, particularly in younger pacers.
Frusemide Administration and Race Times
- The study analysed the racing times (RTs) of 788 Standardbred pacers who participated in 8378 races. All of these races happened at the same racetrack and the research observed the influence of frusemide, which was given intravenously four hours before the race to horses that had a known diagnosis of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH).
- The use of frusemide started during the 1997 racing season and was used by 32.5% of the pacers. The findings of the study reveal a significant decrease in RT after the administration of frusemide. The mean decrease in RT was found to be 0.67 seconds, a statistically significant (P<0.00001) decrease.
Administration of Frusemide Based on Gender and Age
- The study further broke down the racing times by gender, with overall RTs for horses, geldings, and females, averaging at 117.91, 118.20, and 118.86 respectively. After frusemide administration, horses, geldings, and females ran a mean of 0.46, 0.31 and 0.74 seconds faster, respectively.
- The study found that RT progressively decreased till the age of 6 and then increased. However, the effect of frusemide on RT was less significant in older pacers even though a higher percentage of older pacers were given frusemide before racing.
Pre and Post Administration Screening
- 2729 pacers had prerace venous acid-base screening performed. Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission Regulations disqualify Standardbreds from racing if they have a base excess of over 10 and 12 mmol/l for those without and with prerace frusemide administration, respectively.
- The prerace venous acid-base levels were not found to be significantly related to the racing times. The study also found no correlation between prerace and postrace acid-base status for those pacers also tested after the race.
Cite This Article
APA
Soma LR, Birks EK, Uboh CE, May L, Teleis D, Martini J.
(2000).
The effects of frusemide on racing times of Standardbred pacers.
Equine Vet J, 32(4), 334-340.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516400777032264 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square 19348-1692, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Acid-Base Equilibrium
- Animals
- Diuretics / pharmacology
- Female
- Furosemide / pharmacology
- Hemorrhage / prevention & control
- Hemorrhage / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
- Pulmonary Circulation / drug effects
- Running
- Sports
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- 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.
- Pearson W. Concurrent use of veterinary drugs and herbal medicines in racing standardbreds.. Can Vet J 2009 Dec;50(12):1283-5.
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