Medical management of right dorsal colitis in 5 horses: a retrospective study (1987-1993).
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.
Cohen
N D
ND
Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-4475, USA.
Carter
G K
GK
Mealey
R H
RH
Taylor
T S
TS
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000178:diet therapy*; D006736:Horses; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D007019:Hypoproteinemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D010653:Phenylbutazone / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015431:Weight Loss
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010653:Phenylbutazone