Lasix

[31lengths]

Could someone please explain what Lasix does and how it works and when it's administered?

Please and thank you in advance.

[Exceller]

Originally Posted by 31lengths

Could someone please explain what Lasix does and how it works and when it's administered?

Please and thank you in advance.

Read away.

http://www.thinkythings.org/horseracing/lasixinfo.html

The medication Furosemide, sold under the trade name, "Lasix", is a powerful diuretic that causes fluids locked up in the horse's body tissues to be released and expelled in the urine. This has the effect of lowering the horse's blood pressure, particularly in the aorta and pulmonary artery. The lower blood pressure in the capillaries mitigates the problem of EIPH; thus, the horse's performance returns to a normal level. Lasix is treatment of choice for EIPH, though study results of its effectiveness vary.

Some experts contend that Lasix has a stimulating effect on some horses that enhances their performance beyond what it would normally be. Furthermore, some suggest that the sheer volume of fluid lost by the horse (up to several gallons) can cause it to lose as much as twenty pounds, giving it a weight advantage. (Considering the fact that the imposts carried by different horses in a handicap race my vary as little as five to ten pounds, a twenty pound reduction in weight may be very significant.)

Furthermore, there are those who suggest that the increased urinary output of the horse flushes away traces of other, illicit, performance-enhancing substances in the bloodstream.

EIPH is Exercised Induced Pulmonary Hemmoraging (spelling)- horses bleeding.

[31lengths]

Perfect. Thanks.

[Exceller]

Originally Posted by 31lengths

Perfect. Thanks.

Every horse I have ever been involved with gets it. Too many drugs in horse racing for my liking.

[Downthestretch55]

Lasix is used to prevent bleeding in the lungs.
The stress of running sometimes causes cappilaries in the alveoli to rupture.
Then the horse bleeds. It's a preventive medication, and completely legal.
It's usually administered four hours before the race.
It also calms the horse.
First time lasix is something that a lot of cappers look for.
Fom my own experience...the first time one of mine ran with it, he finished dead last, but it was given only two hours before the race...
he must have been a bit "high". LOL

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Exceller

Every horse I have ever been involved with gets it. Too many drugs in horse racing for my liking.

I don't think Smarty Jones raced on it up until his last two starts if I remember correctly. Horses are too frequently given lasix as a performance enhancer when it shouldn't be used. Not all horses are bleeders, and I don't think that non-bleeders should be given the medication. JMO.

[Exceller]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

I don't think Smarty Jones raced on it up until his last two starts if I remember correctly. Horses are too frequently given lasix as a performance enhancer when it shouldn't be used. Not all horses are bleeders, and I don't think that non-bleeders should be given the medication. JMO.

Unfortunately I wasn't involved with Smarty Jones. Vets make a fortune administering drugs. That is part of the problem.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Exceller

Unfortunately I wasn't involved with Smarty Jones. Vets make a fortune administering drugs. That is part of the problem.

Sorry... I wasn't saying you were part of Smarty Jones... I don't know what the hell I was thinking by quoting anyone. LMAO

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

I don't think Smarty Jones raced on it up until his last two starts if I remember correctly. Horses are too frequently given lasix as a performance enhancer when it shouldn't be used. Not all horses are bleeders, and I don't think that non-bleeders should be given the medication. JMO.

Totally agree Cajun.
It's now called salix, not lasix. It's way too overused. Given when there isn't a problem at all.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

I don't think Smarty Jones raced on it up until his last two starts if I remember correctly. Horses are too frequently given lasix as a performance enhancer when it shouldn't be used. Not all horses are bleeders, and I don't think that non-bleeders should be given the medication. JMO.

I think it was his last three starts-- I think they put him on it for the Kentucky Derby. I guess they wanted to make sure they had all bases covered. Grr. And I agree with you all about Salix/Lasix. I was really disappointed when NY caved and started allowing it. I understand that many horses are legitimate bleeders, but then I think, so what are they doing racing and later passing on their genes in the stud shed?

Devis His Due ran almost his entire career free of medication, isn't that right? Over 40 starts, or something like that?

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

I think it was his last three starts-- I think they put him on it for the Kentucky Derby. I guess they wanted to make sure they had all bases covered. Grr. And I agree with you all about Salix/Lasix. I was really disappointed when NY caved and started allowing it. I understand that many horses are legitimate bleeders, but then I think, so what are they doing racing and later passing on their genes in the stud shed?

Devis His Due ran almost his entire career free of medication, isn't that right? Over 40 starts, or something like that?

You're right GR.
Like many of H Allen J's, neither did Kelly Kip.

[Five Star Derek]

There have been a number of studies that suggest that lasix does not prevent bleeding to the extent that people think it does and in plenty of cases not at all. The increased usage of lasix also correlates with horses running less frequently through the years. Is there a connection? Probably(along with other reasons: breeding, othere legal and illegal meds etc...).

I have personally seen horses bleed through Lasix. I have never heard of if "calming" a horse, but I have seen it do just the opposite. "Bad reactions" from Lasix are not uncommon. I watched a filly flip and kill herself due to her "first time" on Lasix.

[Honu]

Originally Posted by Blue Eyes

I have personally seen horses bleed through Lasix. I have never heard of if "calming" a horse, but I have seen it do just the opposite. "Bad reactions" from Lasix are not uncommon. I watched a filly flip and kill herself due to her "first time" on Lasix.

Wow Ive been in horse racing for over 20 years and have never heard of that happening, pennicillian yes but never Lasix.
Most race horses bleed , so you would rather have them suffer thru the trauma of bleeding than get Lasix?
Just because in some places like Europe they cant use Lasix for the races doesnt mean horses dont bleed, ask any vet , they will tell you its not a matter of "if they bleed" its a matter of when.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by Five Star Derek

There have been a number of studies that suggest that lasix does not prevent bleeding to the extent that people think it does and in plenty of cases not at all. The increased usage of lasix also correlates with horses running less frequently through the years. Is there a connection? Probably(along with other reasons: breeding, othere legal and illegal meds etc...).

I am curious when horses started running on lasix. Does anyone know whether most horses ran on lasix back in the 1960s and 1970s? I would have to think that lasix may be one of the reasons why horses run less frequently. Horses get dehydrated enough without lasix when they race on a hot day. It can't be healthy to race on a diuretic in 90 degree weather. I would have to think it would take a horse at least a few extra days to recover from racing with lasix on a hot day. Since lasix is a diuretic, it totally dehydrates you. A combination of the stress of a race and the total dehydration suffered as a result of lasix would have to knock a horse out for a couple of weeks.
I think they should ban practically all of these drugs including lasix.

[Five Star Derek]

Bill Heller wrote a book about this issue a few years back. I can't remember the name of it. It is worth reading just for the statistics and the studies that he cites in it. Not a great read but interesting none the less.

[Honu]

Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin

I am curious when horses started running on lasix. Does anyone know whether most horses ran on lasix back in the 1960s and 1970s? I would have to think that lasix may be one of the reasons why horses run less frequently. Horses get dehydrated enough without lasix when they race on a hot day. It can't be healthy to race on a diuretic in 90 degree weather. I would have to think it would take a horse at least a few extra days to recover from racing with lasix on a hot day. Since lasix is a diuretic, it totally dehydrates you. A combination of the stress of a race and the total dehydration suffered as a result of lasix would have to knock a horse out for a couple of weeks.
I think they should ban practically all of these drugs including lasix.

Rupert actually as the weather heats up so does the risk of horses bleeding , because the heat is added stress on top of running it makes horses more likely to bleed than when its cold outside.
In a perfect world horses wouldnt bleed when they run or get sore or breakdown, but this isnt a perfect world and believe me it is easier on the horse to dehydrate because of Lasix than it is to not give it to them and have them bleed.
I have been around some horses that have bled and once they have had that trauma happen (if its been substancial enough) that even when they are given Lasix they wont try because they are afraid of bleeding again.