Effects of furosemide on the racing times of horses with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.

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 hour 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 (less than or equal to +10,000 or greater than +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.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)