Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treatment of right dorsal ulcerative colitis in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1990
- Authors:
- Simmons, T R et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A horse developed a serious condition called right dorsal ulcerative colitis, likely due to too much of a medication called phenylbutazone. This horse showed signs of ongoing belly pain (colic) and was losing weight. Tests revealed low protein levels and a high white blood cell count in the fluid from the abdomen. While medical treatments and a surgical bypass of the affected area did not help in the long run, surgically removing the damaged part of the colon led to a complete recovery from the protein loss and colic. This case suggests that surgery may be the best option for treating this condition in horses.
Abstract
Excessive administration of phenylbutazone was associated with development of right dorsal ulcerative colitis. The clinical signs of right dorsal colitis include chronic colic and weight loss. The laboratory abnormalities include panhypoproteinemia and a high WBC count in the abdominal fluid. Medical management of the chronic colic and protein-losing enteropathy associated with the ulcerative lesions in the right dorsal colon and surgical bypass of the right dorsal colon did not result in long-term resolution of clinical signs. Resection of the ulcerated right dorsal colon through a right lateral approach at the 16th rib resulted in resolution of intestinal protein loss and colic. The results of this case suggest that surgical resection of the ulcerated right dorsal colon may be the recommended treatment for right dorsal ulcerative colitis.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2298678/