Changes

* Throughout the year, supplementary feeds can include softened grass or high fibre cubes, soaked sugar beet fibre, short chopped alfalfa/hay/straw/mixes and forage mixes

* Throughout the year, supplementary feeds can include softened grass or high fibre cubes, soaked sugar beet fibre, short chopped alfalfa/hay/straw/mixes and forage mixes

* Perhaps the most important feature of feeding the older donkey is to avoid sudden changes in diet

* Perhaps the most important feature of feeding the older donkey is to avoid sudden changes in diet

Due to dryness and length of stem, summer grazing, long stem hay and straw may not be effectively masticated and may cause choking or impaction in individuals with extensive [[Dental Problems - Donkey|dental disorders]].  

Due to dryness and length of stem, summer grazing, long stem hay and straw may not be effectively masticated and may cause choking or impaction in individuals with extensive [[Dental Problems - Donkey|dental disorders]].  

* Regularly monitor condition and weight objectively. Record weight or girth measurements and condition score

* Regularly monitor condition and weight objectively. Record weight or girth measurements and condition score

* Avoid obesity

* Avoid obesity

* Feed according to weight, dentition, season, laminitic predispositon and the individual response to intake. Small and frequent feeds rather than a single daily ‘feast’ are advisable. Many aged donkeys spend most of their day getting through these feeds but, surprisingly, manage to thrive quite well as long as they are given the opportunity to eat in their own time

* Feed according to weight, dentition, season, laminitic predispositon and the individual response to intake. Adlib or small and frequent feeds rather than a single daily ‘feast’ are advisable. Many aged donkeys spend most of their day getting through these feeds but, surprisingly, manage to thrive quite well as long as they are given the opportunity to eat in their own time

* Regular, preferably six-monthly, dental examinations

* Regular, preferably six-monthly, dental examinations

* Tetanus vaccination

* Tetanus vaccination

* Planned parasite control programme (internal and external)

* Regular faecal worm egg counts (at least four times a year)

* Elderly donkeys can be more susceptible to suffering from heavy lice infestations, regular checking and treatment should be provided

* Routine, regular hoof trimming at intervals of four to ten weeks depending on the individual’s hoof status

* Routine, regular hoof trimming at intervals of four to ten weeks depending on the individual’s hoof status

* Provide well fitting rugs (poorly fitting ones are more of a liability than none at all)

* Provide well fitting rugs (poorly fitting ones are more of a liability than none at all)if necessary. Rugs may help to prevent excessive weight loss over the winter in thin, elderly donkeys.

* Consider obtaining reference values for haematology and biochemistry whilst in good health

* Consider obtaining reference values for haematology and biochemistry whilst in good health

* Provide adequate winter and summer shelter and satisfactory underfoot conditions

* Provide adequate winter and summer shelter and satisfactory underfoot conditions