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Common racehorse drug could raise risk of sudden death
The scientists identified a significant risk factor associated with horses being given furosemide on race day.
Researchers conduct the first-ever large-scale study of Thoroughbred racing fatalities.

Researchers have discovered that a common drug used in Thoroughbred racehorses could increase the risk of sudden death.

The first-of-its-kind study analysing data from more than four million starts in horse racing across the USA and Canada found that around one in 10,000 resulted in a race-day sudden death.

Scientists identified a significant risk factor associated with the horses being given furosemide on race day. Horses given the drug were 62 per cent more likely to die suddenly, when compared with horses not given furosemide. 

Furosemide is widely used in the US on race days to prevent pulmonary bleeding and is associated with enhanced racing performance. Consequently, 94 per cent of horse starts in the study had been administered with the drug.
 
Scientists discovered that it could also be possible to identify horses at risk of sudden death before they experience it – for example, due to previous injury and interruption to training. Other risk factors highlighted by the study were horse age and sex, season, purse of race and race distance.

Study author Dr Euan Bennet, from the University of Glasgow's School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, commented: “This study suggests that a risk profile, identifying which horses are at the greatest risk of sudden death, may be possible. Given how rare the outcome is, further work is required to establish any potential interventions which might contribute to a reduction in sudden deaths. 

“On the association between furosemide use and sudden death, the fact that furosemide use is so common makes this result particularly remarkable given the statistical power of this large-scale study. Discussions around the ethics of race day administration of drugs should factor in potential risks such as those identified here, and further work is required to understand exactly why we identified this association.”

The study, ‘Fifteen risk factors associated with sudden death in Thoroughbred racehorses in North America (2009-2021),’ is published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association. 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.