Combining ‘Best’ of Two Surgical Techniques for Right Dorsal Colitis

Veterinarians from the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center saved a 14-year-old Warmblood gelding with right dorsal colitis by combining two surgical techniques to remove the diseased part of his bowel.
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Veterinarians from the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center saved a 14-year-old Warmblood gelding with right dorsal colitis by combining two surgical techniques to remove the diseased part of his bowel.

The horse had been treated with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Banamine (flunixin meglumine) for more than a month for an eye problem when he developed colic because of the NSAID use.

The surgeons decided to do surgery when the horse did not respond to the usual medical treatment of right dorsal colitis, which includes:

  • stopping treatment with NSAIDs;

  • giving pain medication as needed, but not NSAIDS;

  • modifying the diet by using pelleted feed instead of hay or not feeding the horse by mouth and providing intravenous (parenteral) nutrition; 

  • administering misoprostol, corn or safflower oil, psyllium HCl (Metamucil); and

  • providing additional supportive care, such as IV fluids as needed.

The affected part of the bowel was deep within the abdomen, making it difficult to remove (resect) all of the affected colon and put the healthy ends back together (anastomose). Contamination of the abdomen with ingested feed and failure to remove all of the affected colon are two problems with this technique, said surgeon Louise L. Southwood, BVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, ACVECC

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