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Foundation funds UF equine research proposal

Dr. Amy Stieler with foal. (Photo by Diana Andersen-Davis)

A sometimes-fatal side effect of drugs now being used successfully to treat pneumonia in foals is the focus of a new UF study funded by the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

Foals that often died of pneumonia are now being treated successfully with a class of antibiotics known as macrolides. However, these drugs can have side effects, including the ability to regulate body heat — which can lead to death, presumably by heatstroke.

Assuming that this problem is similar to anhidrosis, or non-sweating, UF equine researchers hope to link impaired sweating ability to overheating in foals treated with these drugs.

If scientifically verified, the link would provide owners of foals receiving such treatment with a wake-up call to implement common-sense heat control measures, a description of the study proposal states.

The two-year study was funded in the amount of $143,200.

Dr. Rob MacKay is principal investigator but others on the UF research team include Drs. Chris Sanchez, Martha Mallicote and Amy Stieler.

The UF research proposal was one of 19 that recently were approved by the foundation for funding. For more information about all of these projects, visit the foundation’s website.