Influence of furosemide treatment on fluid and electrolyte balance in horses

Alterations in electrolyte and acid-base balance were studied in 6 horses for 8 hours after furosemide administration (1 mg/kg of body weight, IM), and the results were compared with those for 5 healthy untreated horses (controls) kept under identical environmental conditions. In the treated group, decreases in plasma potassium, chloride, and calcium concentrations and increases in total plasma protein content persisted for the 8-hour observation period, whereas there was no change in plasma sodium concentration, osmolality, or packed cell volume. Plasma bicarbonate concentration and PCO2 remained high throughout the study, during which time venous blood pH was modestly increased only at the 6-hour sampling time. Furosemide treatment resulted in decreases in urine pH, specific gravity, osmolality, and potassium and calcium concentrations and increases in urine volume and total urine sodium, chloride, and calcium excretion. Body weight decreased 19.2 +/- 5.2 kg (mean +/- SD) in treated horses (4 +/- 1% of body weight), compared with a weight loss of 8 +/- 2.1 kg in untreated horses (1.5 +/- 0.4% of body weight) during the 8-hour experimental period. The increased fluid losses induced by the diuretic did not cause any obvious clinical signs in the horses. Pulse pressure, skin turgor, capillary refill time, and jugular distensibility remained unchanged throughout the experimental period.