Furosemide: effects on the hemostatic mechanism of resting and exercised standardbred horses.

: Two groups of 6 Standardbred horses each were used to study hemostatic functions at rest and after exercise with furosemide or a placebo. One group which was trained was given maximum exercise on the racetrack, and the other, a less-fit group, was given submaximum exercise on the treadmill. There was no difference in furosemide compared to placebo trial results in either group in coagulation screening tests, platelet concentration, or retention of platelets in a glass bead column. Increased fibrinogen concentration and enhanced platelet retention were associated with maximum exercise. Aggregation of platelets by adenosine diphosphate and bovine collagen was not different in furosemide and the placebo submaximal exercise trials.