Many owners may not, however, be familiar with the fact that long-term furosemide administration helps horses with kidney disease, heart failure, and edema. Unlike the known consequences of acute furosemide administration, including increased thirst and salt intake, and decreased body weight, the impact of long-term furosemide remain unknown.
The article kinda confused me a bit, since they did not go on to talk about kidney disease, heart failure and edema.
It kind of makes sense since I believe Lasix is used on humans with those conditions as well. I’ve always wondered how it affects healthy horses though. That’s my biggest worry about the use of Lasix (especially with trainers who not only use it for races but for works as well).
Salix/Lasix is given to patients with congestive heart failure to reduce edema. I strongly suspect this is what the drug was developed for in the first place–treating fluid-buildup conditions in humans.
Human patients on Furosemide (Lasix), are frequently put on a potassium supplement, and are sometimes advised to increase their calcium intake.
For horses on grass pasture, the balance pretty much takes care of itself but it is something race horse people need to be aware of.
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