Treatment of right dorsal ulcerative colitis in a horse.

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.