AAEP Seeks EIPH Treatment Alternatives
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The American Association of Equine Practitioners has released a 10-point "Prescription for Racing Reform" that includes identifying treatment alternatives for exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.
Also known as bleeding, EIPH typically is treated by administration of furosemide, which is marketed under the trade name Salix (formerly Lasix). According to the AAEP announcement, if an alternative of "equal or greater efficacy to furosemide can be found that will not require race-day administration, the AAEP will support the cessation of race-day furosemide."
Recent efforts to prohibit race-day medication have focused on Salix, the only medication permitted for use on race day in most U.S. jurisdictions. The AAEP's announcement marks the first time the Lexington-based organization with more than 9.000 members worldwide has indicated it would possibly endorse a race-day prohibition on Salix.
The AAEP said a strategic planning session by its racing committee in late February to address key issues affecting the health of the racehorse led to the development of the Prescription for Racing Reform, which it labeled "a 10-point plan designed to both protect the health of racing's equine athletes and strengthen the integrity of the sport."
"The AAEP supports the use of furosemide to control the negative effects of EIPH in racehorses," the AAEP said in a release. "However, race-day administration of any medication is seen by many as problematic for the sport."
"The recent American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine review of existing EIPH research showed that there is very little research on alternative strategies beyond race-day furosemide," AAEP said in its "Prescription for Racing Reform."
"Few other medications have been studied and virtually no medication strategies outside race-day treatments have been researched.
"The AAEP will pursue alternative EIPH strategies by facilitating a meeting of scientists, including experts in the fields of equine EIPH, pulmonary function, and human sports medicine, with the stated goal of identifying research priorities that may yield effective alternatives to current race-day EIPH treatment protocols. Upon finding efficacious methods to manage EIPH, the AAEP will propose that the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium amend its uniform medication policy in order to eliminate race-day medication.
"If an alternative of equal or greater efficacy to furosemide can be found that will not require race-day administration, the AAEP will support the cessation of race-day furosemide."
The following are the additional key points of the "Prescription for Racing Reform" from AAEP:
—Banning the use of anabolic steroids in racehorses in training. Anabolic steroids are already banned for horses actively competing. The AAEP supports the complete discontinuation of systemic anabolic steroid use in horses currently in training.
—Restricting administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to 48 hours before racing. Research indicates that the residual anti-inflammatory effect of NSAID administration remains at 24 hours. To ensure pre-race examinations are not influenced by the prior administration of an anti-inflammatory medication, the AAEP endorses restricting NSAID administration to 48 hours pre-race.
Other points of the plan address compounded medication, veterinary list reciprocity, and stiff sanctions for rule violators including veterinarians. The complete 10-Point Prescription for Racing Reform can be viewed here.
"Our desire to investigate non-race day treatment alternatives for EIPH serves both the horse and the industry and we are committed to developing a strategy that goes beyond the simple cessation of race-day medication," said Dr. Kent Carter, 2015 AAEP president. "As doctors of veterinary medicine, we want to contribute to the success of the racing industry but must remain committed to protecting the health and welfare of the horse as our foremost priority."
The AAEP racing committee is chaired by Dr. Scott Hay, a private practitioner based in Florida. Other members of the committee are Drs. Rick Arthur, Keith Berkeley, Larry Bramlage, Robert Burgess, Alan Chastain, Nancy Goodman, John Kimmel, Keith Latson, Patti Marquis, Melissa McKee, Paul Nolan, Foster Northrop, Scott Palmer, Andy Roberts and Mary Scollay.