Skip to content
Search Library
thumbnail

Many horse owners and trainers recognize that the diuretic drug furosemide, also called by trade names Lasix or Salix, helps racehorses prone to exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Many owners may not, however, be familiar with the fact that long-term furosemide administration helps horses with kidney diseaseheart failure, and edema. Unlike the known consequences of acute furosemide administration, including increased thirst and salt intake, and decreased body weight, the impact of long-term furosemide remain unknown.

To identify the potential problems associated with chronic furosemide administration, researchers from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine administered 0.5 mg/kg of furosemide daily to six Shetland ponies via intramuscular injection for three weeks*.

Salt and water intake, dry fecal matter, urine volume, and urine sodium (salt) content were measured before, during, and after the three weeks of furosemide use. Researchers found:

  • Salt (sodium chloride provided by a salt block) intake increased dramatically from 7.9 g/day to 20.3 g/day from the control period to the furosemide treatment period;
  • Water intake was also significantly increased from 8.9 kg/day to 11 kg/day from the control period to the furosemide treatment period;
  • The ponies drank more water than they lost during the study period; and
  • Urine volume and sodium concentration increased markedly during furosemide treatment, while calcium and potassium concentrations decreased.

The key conclusion from this study is that chronic furosemide administration affects a horse’s sodium nutrition. While the ponies in the study were able to compensate for their sodium losses, the authors advised owners of competitive horses on chronic furosemide that they may not be able to meet their needs acutely.

“Racehorses administered furosemide intermittently also need electrolytes replenished following exercise. Research conducted by Kentucky Equine Research (KER) revealed that not only is sodium lost but also calcium and phosphorus. The results of the studies done on furosemide at KER led to the development of Race Recovery and Race Recovery Paste, products that can help horses recover faster after racing on furosemide,” explained Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., an equine nutritionist with the research company.

*Houpt, K., and P. Perry. 2016. Effect of chronic furosemide on salt and water intake of ponies. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 47:31-36.

X

Subscribe to Equinews and get the latest equine nutrition and health news delivered to your inbox. Sign up for free now!