The effect of neomycin on the kidney function of the horse

The toxic effect of neomycin on the horse kidney was studied. Twelve horses were used, and were divided at random into three groups of four. The first group was treated twice a day with 10 mg/kg I.M. for 15 days and then euthanised; kidney and liver samples were studied and no histopathological changes were observed. Group 2 was treated with neomycin sulphate as in group 1, and group 3 was used as control. Blood samples were taken at 8.00 h and 20.00 h daily from both neomycin treated and control horses. Serum creatinine, potassium, sodium and urinary creatinine remained without change. On day 6 of treatment plasma urea (Urea)p decreased to 5.6 +/- 2.0 mmol/L (P < 0.001) as compared with controls (8.0 +/- 2 mmol/L). Urinary excretion of GGT increased on the third day of treatment to 118.6 +/- 1 IU/L for treated and 89 +/- 8 IU/L for controls (P < 0.001). Thereafter, GGT continued to be elevated significantly for the duration of the experiment, as compared with controls. The (GGT)/(Cr)u ratio increased significantly on the 9th day of treatment, and continued to be elevated for 6 days after treatment. Neomycin kinetics were similar during treatment. It was concluded that neomycin, in the dose used, was not harmful to kidney function in the horse.