Lasix – An International Veterinary Perspective
Mar 14, 2013 15:41:54 GMT -5
Post by cait on Mar 14, 2013 15:41:54 GMT -5
i found this to be a really good article - the US stands alone re lasix - not a "good thing"
The Breeders’ Cup Forum: Lasix – An International Veterinary Perspective
by Ray Paulick | 03.14.2013 |
Brian Stewart is the head of Equine Welfare and Veterinary Services for Racing Victoria, the primary authority overseeing horse racing in the region of Australia that includes Melbourne. Formerly a private practitioner in Caulfield, Stewart was the head of Veterinary Regulation and International Liaison for the Hong Kong Jockey Club from 2002-2011. He has served as chairman of the International Group of Specialist Racing Veterinarians and in senior positions with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, among other roles in the industry.
This week’s Breeders’ Cup Forum with Stewart, conducted via email, is a counterbalance to the views of Southern California racetrack practitioner Don Shields, a staunch advocate for the race-day use of the anti-bleeding diuretic furosemide, or Lasix, to treat exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.
Dr. Stewart made the following introductory comments prior to the Paulick Report’s questions:
I’d like to make a few points to explain why we will not consider the introduction of race-day furosemide medication in Australian (or Hong Kong) racing.
This is despite the fact that we acknowledge that furosemide does work to ameliorate EIPHS and is undoubtedly good for the individual horse that suffers significant EIPH, but we believe that its use would not be good for the business of racing, would not be good for the overall future good of the Thoroughbred breed and would not be good for the general Thoroughbred population because its use encourages/permits over-training and over-racing of horses.
—Furosemide has been clearly demonstrated to improve racing performance by means unrelated to its effect on EIPHS, that is by causing significant weight loss by the excretion of excess fluid. This effect has also been demonstrated to be inconsistent and unpredictable which must impact on the quality of the wagering product.
—There are suggestions and significant anecdotal reports that there is a degree of heritability associated with EIPHS. Until that possibility is disproved, there is significant risk for the overall quality and durability of Thoroughbred breed associated with breeding of horses that have been selected on the basis of performances assisted by furosemide.
—In my opinion, EIPHS is often associated with over-stressed horses, often with poor lung health (often associated with poor air quality and inflammatory airway disease. The occurrence of EIPHS detected by regular endoscopic examinations is a very good indicator that a horse is not coping with its workload/environment and is a warning sign to modify its training regime and attend to lung health problems. The use of furosemide may mask these warning signs and cause a horse to be over-worked and over-stressed leading to higher risk of injury.
Oneof the Q & A:
How are the American medication policies generally viewed where you have practiced?
American medication policies are generally regarded as being mistaken and bad for the business of racing and the overall health and safety of the entirety of the racehorse population and very risky for the future quality of the breed.
Full Article:
www.paulickreport.com/features/the-breeders-cup-forum/the-breeders-cup-forum-lasix-an-international-veterinary-perspective/
The Breeders’ Cup Forum: Lasix – An International Veterinary Perspective
by Ray Paulick | 03.14.2013 |
Brian Stewart is the head of Equine Welfare and Veterinary Services for Racing Victoria, the primary authority overseeing horse racing in the region of Australia that includes Melbourne. Formerly a private practitioner in Caulfield, Stewart was the head of Veterinary Regulation and International Liaison for the Hong Kong Jockey Club from 2002-2011. He has served as chairman of the International Group of Specialist Racing Veterinarians and in senior positions with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, among other roles in the industry.
This week’s Breeders’ Cup Forum with Stewart, conducted via email, is a counterbalance to the views of Southern California racetrack practitioner Don Shields, a staunch advocate for the race-day use of the anti-bleeding diuretic furosemide, or Lasix, to treat exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.
Dr. Stewart made the following introductory comments prior to the Paulick Report’s questions:
I’d like to make a few points to explain why we will not consider the introduction of race-day furosemide medication in Australian (or Hong Kong) racing.
This is despite the fact that we acknowledge that furosemide does work to ameliorate EIPHS and is undoubtedly good for the individual horse that suffers significant EIPH, but we believe that its use would not be good for the business of racing, would not be good for the overall future good of the Thoroughbred breed and would not be good for the general Thoroughbred population because its use encourages/permits over-training and over-racing of horses.
—Furosemide has been clearly demonstrated to improve racing performance by means unrelated to its effect on EIPHS, that is by causing significant weight loss by the excretion of excess fluid. This effect has also been demonstrated to be inconsistent and unpredictable which must impact on the quality of the wagering product.
—There are suggestions and significant anecdotal reports that there is a degree of heritability associated with EIPHS. Until that possibility is disproved, there is significant risk for the overall quality and durability of Thoroughbred breed associated with breeding of horses that have been selected on the basis of performances assisted by furosemide.
—In my opinion, EIPHS is often associated with over-stressed horses, often with poor lung health (often associated with poor air quality and inflammatory airway disease. The occurrence of EIPHS detected by regular endoscopic examinations is a very good indicator that a horse is not coping with its workload/environment and is a warning sign to modify its training regime and attend to lung health problems. The use of furosemide may mask these warning signs and cause a horse to be over-worked and over-stressed leading to higher risk of injury.
Oneof the Q & A:
How are the American medication policies generally viewed where you have practiced?
American medication policies are generally regarded as being mistaken and bad for the business of racing and the overall health and safety of the entirety of the racehorse population and very risky for the future quality of the breed.
Full Article:
www.paulickreport.com/features/the-breeders-cup-forum/the-breeders-cup-forum-lasix-an-international-veterinary-perspective/
