EFFECTS OF FUROSEMIDE ON THE RACING TIMES OF HORSES WITH EXERCISE-INDUCED PULMONARY HEMORRHAGE

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 46  (4) , 763-768
Abstract
In 3 groups of horses with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), comparisons of racing times and finishing positions were made between the 5 races before the horses were given furosemide and 5 races after furosemide administration. The horses were grouped according to 3 methods used to diagnose EIPH: group 1, observation of hemorrhage at the nostrils within 1 h after a workout or race; group 2, observation of pulmonary hemorrhage only by endoscopic examination after a race or workout; and group 3, observation of hemorrhage at the nostrils during a race or immediately after a race. Group 4 horses were randomly selected horses running during the study period and were not given furosemide. The statistical method was analysis of covariance and the dependent variable was horses'' time per distance. The study compared the 4 groups of horses, using the estimated value of the horses (.ltoreq. $10,000 or > $10,000), and the horses'' interaction in races 1 through 5 before and races 6 through 10 after furosemide treatment. The horses'' times were adjusted by the relevant covariates, distance, track variant and winning time per distance. Significant changes in horses'' time per distance were not noticed when comparing values from races 1 through 5 with those in races 6 through 10 in group 1 horses. Group 3 horses had changes in the adjusted racing time per distance in the higher estimated value and group 2 horses had a consistent change in time per distance when the performance in the 2 racing periods were compared. There were no changes in group 4 horses'' time per distance. Furosemide administered 4 h before racing did not have an effect in all horses with EIPH nor did EIPH affect all horses uniformly.