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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2023; 37(6); 2535-2543; doi: 10.1111/jvim.16884

Right dorsal colitis in horses: A multicenter retrospective study of 35 cases.

Abstract: Right dorsal colitis (RDC) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) induced, protein losing enteropathy in horses associated with a high case fatality rate. Objective: To describe signalment, NSAID usage, clinical presentations, clinical pathology, ultrasonographic findings, treatments, outcomes, and factors associated with survival in horses diagnosed with RDC. Methods: Thirty-five horses from 7 Australian equine hospitals diagnosed with RDC. Methods: Retrospective case series. Clinical records of cases were accepted if definitively or presumptively diagnosed by an internist with RDC and had ≥3 of: hypoproteinemia or hypoalbuminemia; diarrhea with negative test results for infectious diseases; colic for which other diseases were excluded or right dorsal colon thickening on ultrasound. Descriptive data analysis was performed for categorical and continuous variables. Univariate binominal logistic regressions were used to assess factors associated with survival. Results: An overdose of NSAIDs occurred in 84% (21/25) cases where dose was known. Common clinical presentations included diarrhea (69%; 22/32), colic (61%; 20/33), and tachycardia (53%, 17/32). Common clinicopathological findings included hypoalbuminemia (83%; 26/31), hypocalcaemia (79%, 23/29), and hyperlactatemia (77%, 14/18). The right dorsal colon wall appeared subjectively thickened in 77% (24/31) cases using ultrasonography. Case fatality rate was 43% (15/35). Odds of survival significantly decreased with increasing heart rate (odds 0.84, 95% CI = 0.71-0.92, P = .01), packed cell volume (odds 0.91, 95% CI 0.82-0.98, P = .05) and abnormal appearance of mucous membranes (odds 0.05, 95% CI 0.005-0.28, P = .001) on hospital presentation. Conclusions: An overdose of NSAIDs is common in horses diagnosed with RDC. Serum albumin concentrations should be monitored in horses receiving a prolonged course of NSAIDs. Overall prognosis for RDC remains fair.
© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2023-10-06 PubMed ID: 37800408PubMed Central: PMC10658563DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16884Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Multicenter Study
  • 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.

This research investigated the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of Right Dorsal Colitis, a horse disease frequently induced by overuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), in 35 cases across 7 Australian equine hospitals.

Study Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to provide concrete insights into the incidence, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment methods, survival outcomes, and factors affecting survival in horses diagnosed with Right Dorsal Colitis (RDC), a protein-losing enteropathy frequent in horses and often induced by NSAIDs.
  • The researchers conducted a retrospective case series, wherein they reviewed the clinical records of 35 horses from seven Australian equine hospitals that were definitively or presumptively diagnosed with RDC.
  • The cases included for analysis either had a minimum of three of the following conditions: hypoproteinemia or hypoalbuminemia; non-infectious diarrhea; colic with other diseases ruled out; or an ultrasound-proven thickening of the right dorsal colon.
  • Descriptive data was analyzed, and univariate binominal logistic regressions were used to evaluate factors affecting survival.

Results of the Study

  • The study found that an overdose of NSAIDs occurred in 84% of the cases where the dosage was known, indicating a significant relationship between NSAID overdose and RDC.
  • Common symptoms included diarrhea, colic, and tachycardia. Clinicopathological findings included hypoalbuminemia, hypocalcemia, and hyperlactatemia. Via ultrasonography, a thickened right dorsal colon wall was detectable in 77% of the cases.
  • The mortality rate was noted to be at 43%, demonstrating a fairly high incidence of fatality in horses afflicted with RDC.
  • Increased heart rate, packed cell volume, and abnormal mucous membrane appearance on hospital presentation were found to significantly decrease the odds of survival.

Conclusions Drawn from the Study

  • Overdose of NSAIDs is a common phenomenon in horses diagnosed with RDC. Enhanced caution and regular monitoring of serum albumin concentrations are prescribed for horses on a prolonged course of NSAIDs to prevent or control RDC.
  • The overall prognosis for RDC, based on the collected data, remains fair, indicating a need for enhanced diagnostic methods, improved treatment protocols, and efficient preventive measures.

Cite This Article

APA
Flood J, Byrne D, Bauquier J, Agne GF, Wise JC, Medina-Torres CE, Wood K, Sullivan O, Stewart AJ. (2023). Right dorsal colitis in horses: A multicenter retrospective study of 35 cases. J Vet Intern Med, 37(6), 2535-2543. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16884

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 37
Issue: 6
Pages: 2535-2543

Researcher Affiliations

Flood, Jordan
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
Byrne, David
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Bauquier, Jennifer
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Agne, Gustavo Ferlini
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Wise, Jessica C
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
Medina-Torres, Carlos E
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
Wood, Kelly
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.
Sullivan, Olivia
  • Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Stewart, Allison J
  • School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Colic / veterinary
  • Phenylbutazone / adverse effects
  • Hypoalbuminemia / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horse Diseases / chemically induced
  • Australia
  • Colitis / veterinary
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Diarrhea / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Buzelato Carli I, Fielding L. Long-Term Firocoxib Use in Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2025 May-Jun;39(3):e70117.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.70117pubmed: 40317502google scholar: lookup
  2. Kemp KL, Yuen NKY, Skinner JE, Bertin FR. Effect of Phenylbutazone Administration on Insulin Sensitivity in Horses With Insulin Dysregulation. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Mar-Apr;39(2):e70028.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.70028pubmed: 40011055google scholar: lookup
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