A Toxicology and Clinical Study of Post Race Epistaxis Associated with Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage in Thoroughbred Race Horses at the Racecourse Rinconada, Caracas, Venezuela

The aim of this study was to describe cases of epistaxis associated with post-race Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) in Thoroughbred horses at the Hippodrome "La Rinconada", Caracas, Venezuela, through a clinic pathological study. We studied a total of 29 cases of epistaxis post-race in Thoroughbred horses at the Hippodrome La Rinconada, Caracas, Venezuela, which is 2,950 meters above sea level. The study included horses between the ages of 2-5 years, 16 stallions and 13 mares, weighing between 450-510 kg. They underwent a clinical examination, although horses presenting with epistaxis were in an emergency situation. Samples of blood and urine were taken for toxicology studies using the competitive ELISA specifically for the drug Furosemide, using the furosemide ELISA kit. Furosemide is allowed when considering the distance of the race, as well as legal regulations for furosemide medication, given 4 hours pre-race, with a maximum 250 mg administered. The clinical findings in all horses studied were: cardio-respiratory collapse, syncope, cyanosis of mucous membranes with the average heart rate 130 bpm, and respiratory rate about 62 rpm. We detected the presence of furosemide in 19 cases, in one case and clenbuterol, aminophylline in 4 cases. It was not possible to detect drugs in 10 individuals who had epistaxis. In conclusion, we performed a clinical and toxicological study in 19 cases of epistaxis associated with pulmonary hemorrhage induced by exercise at the track "La Rinconada", Caracas, Venezuela.