Medical management of right dorsal colitis in 5 horses: a retrospective study (1987-1993).
Abstract: Right dorsal colitis in horses has been associated with administration of phenylbutazone. Although reports of right dorsal colitis in this species have described surgical treatment associated with a poor prognosis, we have had success treating this condition medically. This report describes 5 horses with right dorsal colitis confirmed during celiotomy that were initially managed medically. All horses had a history of intermittent abdominal pain; weight loss was noted in only 1 horse. The doses (2.0 to 4.6 mg/kg PO bid) and duration (5 to 30 days) of administration of phenylbutazone were not unusually high relative to those recommended (4.4 mg/kg PO bid). Hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia were observed in all horses at the time of admission; packed cell volume was low in 4 horses, and hypocalcemia was also observed in 4 horses. Three of 5 horses (60%) appeared to respond to dietary management and discontinuation of administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Dietary management consisted of feeding pelleted feed, and restricting or eliminating roughage for a period of at least 3 months. Two horses developed strictures of the right dorsal colon. One horse that developed a colonic stricture, possibly because its owners did not comply with recommendations for management, was subsequently treated surgically. The remaining horse that developed a stricture of the right dorsal colon was euthanized. These data indicate that some horses with right dorsal colitis can be successfully managed with medical treatment.
Publication Date: 1995-07-01 PubMed ID: 8523325DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1995.tb01079.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The article is about a study that detailed the medical treatment and management of right dorsal colitis in horses, a condition believed to be associated with the administration of phenylbutazone. The study reported successful treatment of this condition in some horses without surgery.
Introduction
- In this article, the researchers conducted a retrospective study of the medical management of right dorsal colitis in horses between 1987 and 1993.
- The condition, right dorsal colitis, has often been linked with the administration of a drug called phenylbutazone. The disease usually necessitates surgical treatment, and until this study, its prognosis was largely unfavorable.
Horses’ Characteristics, Symptoms, and Condition
- The study focused on five horses confirmed to have right dorsal colitis during celiotomy. These horses were initially treated medically, not surgically.
- Each horse in the study had exhibited intermittent abdominal pain, while only one horse showed signs of weight loss.
- All horses displayed conditions such as hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia upon admission. Four out of five had a low packed cell volume, and four also had hypocalcemia.
Phenylbutazone Administration in the Studied Horses
- The researchers noted that the dosages (ranging from 2.0 to 4.6 mg/kg PO bid) and duration (5 to 30 days) of phenylbutazone administration in the study were not unusually high when compared to the recommended dose (4.4 mg/kg PO bid).
Medical Treatment Outcomes
- Out of these horses, three (60%) exhibited improvement following dietary management and discontinuation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including phenylbutazone.
- The dietary management included feeding pelleted feed and restricting or eliminating roughage for at least three months.
Complications and Subsequent Treatments
- Unfortunately, two horses developed strictures (abnormal narrowing) of the right dorsal colon. One of these horses had to be treated surgically, possibly due to the owners’ non-compliance with the recommended management. The other stricken horse had to be euthanized.
Concluding Remarks
- The study highlighted that some horses with right dorsal colitis can respond successfully to non-surgical, medical intervention — a promising finding for the future treatment of the disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Cohen ND, Carter GK, Mealey RH, Taylor TS.
(1995).
Medical management of right dorsal colitis in 5 horses: a retrospective study (1987-1993).
J Vet Intern Med, 9(4), 272-276.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.1995.tb01079.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-4475, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Abdominal Pain / chemically induced
- Abdominal Pain / veterinary
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects
- Colitis / chemically induced
- Colitis / diet therapy
- Colitis / veterinary
- Diet
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / chemically induced
- Horse Diseases / diet therapy
- Horses
- Hypocalcemia / chemically induced
- Hypocalcemia / veterinary
- Hypoproteinemia / chemically induced
- Hypoproteinemia / veterinary
- Male
- Phenylbutazone / adverse effects
- Retrospective Studies
- Weight Loss
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Tesena P, Vinijkumthorn R, Preuksathaporn T, Piyakul P, Chotikaprakal T, Sirireugwipas R, Wong-Aree K, Prapaiwan N. Evaluation of gastrointestinal tract lesions and serum malondialdehyde levels after repeated oral administration of phenylbutazone in horses. Vet Res Commun 2024 Aug;48(4):2343-2355.
- Flood J, Byrne D, Bauquier J, Agne GF, Wise JC, Medina-Torres CE, Wood K, Sullivan O, Stewart AJ. Right dorsal colitis in horses: A multicenter retrospective study of 35 cases. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Nov-Dec;37(6):2535-2543.
- Whitfield-Cargile CM, Coleman MC, Cohen ND, Chamoun-Emanuelli AM, DeSolis CN, Tetrault T, Sowinski R, Bradbery A, Much M. Effects of phenylbutazone alone or in combination with a nutritional therapeutic on gastric ulcers, intestinal permeability, and fecal microbiota in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Mar;35(2):1121-1130.
- Whitfield-Cargile CM, Cohen ND, He K, Ivanov I, Goldsby JS, Chamoun-Emanuelli A, Weeks BR, Davidson LA, Chapkin RS. The non-invasive exfoliated transcriptome (exfoliome) reflects the tissue-level transcriptome in a mouse model of NSAID enteropathy. Sci Rep 2017 Oct 31;7(1):14687.
- Siwinska N, Zak A, Baron M, Cylna M, Borowicz H. Right dorsal colon ultrasonography in normal adult ponies and miniature horses. PLoS One 2017;12(10):e0186825.
- Galvin N, Dillon H, McGovern F. Right dorsal colitis in the horse: minireview and reports on three cases in Ireland. Ir Vet J 2004 Aug 1;57(8):467-73.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
