FUROSEMIDE-INDUCED CHANGES IN PLASMA AND BLOOD-VOLUME OF HORSES

The effect of furosemide administration (1 mg/kg body weight, i.v.) on plasma and blood volumes in 6 intact and 4 splenectomized horses was measured using Evans blue dye dilution, hematocrit, and hemoglobin and plasma total solids concentrations. Body weight decreased by 33.6 +/- 3.3 and 33.7 +/- 0.8 g/kg 4 h after furosemide administration to intact and splenectomized mares, respectively. Plasma volume, estimated by Evans blue dye dilution, was reduced by 8.3 +/- 3.3% (mean +/- SE) 4 h after furosemide administration. The reduction in plasma volume was first detectable 5-10 min after furosemide administration and was greatest 15-30 min (13.0 +/- 0.8%) after dosing. This study demonstrates that furosemide produces significant and rapid reductions in plasma volume in horses. These decreases in plasma volume only partially resolve 4 h after furosemide administration.