Monitoring furosemide in racehorses participating in an EIPH program

J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 1994 Jun;17(3):163-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.1994.tb00229.x.

Abstract

Analytical procedures were developed to monitor furosemide concentrations in post-race serum and urine samples obtained from horses participating in an exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) program. High performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet light detection proved a reliable, sensitive method for measuring urinary furosemide concentrations up to 12 h after administration of either 150 or 250 mg of the drug to race horses. However, this method was unreliable for determination of serum furosemide concentration. High performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection proved a reliable, sensitive method for measuring serum furosemide concentration in horses administered 250 mg of the diuretic, permitting detection of approximately 5-10 ng/ml 6 h after treatment. This method was applied to field conditions where furosemide was administered to horses (between 150 and 250 mg intravenously) 4 h prior to the race. Analytical results assisted in establishing a threshold concentration of 85 ng/ml for serum furosemide. It was found that serum furosemide concentrations are a valid measure of compliance with furosemide administration in the EIPH program.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / veterinary
  • Drug Monitoring / veterinary*
  • Female
  • Furosemide / analysis*
  • Furosemide / blood
  • Furosemide / therapeutic use
  • Furosemide / urine
  • Hemorrhage / blood
  • Hemorrhage / drug therapy
  • Hemorrhage / urine
  • Hemorrhage / veterinary*
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Horse Diseases / urine
  • Horses
  • Lung Diseases / blood
  • Lung Diseases / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases / urine
  • Lung Diseases / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Physical Exertion*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Furosemide