Changes

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

Clinical examination and the assessment of the following parameters are essentially the same as for the horse. A thorough clinical examination will also allow detection of ‘false colics’ associated with the urinary, [[Donkey - Respiratory Diseases|respiratory]], cardiovascular, [[Donkey - Endocrine Diseases|endocrine]], [[Donkey - Reproductive Disorders|reproductive]] and [[Donkey - Musculoskeletal Diseases|musculoskeletal]] systems.

Clinical examination and the assessment of the following parameters are essentially the same as for the horse. A thorough clinical examination will also allow detection of ‘false colics’ associated with the urinary, [[Respiratory Disorders - Donkey|respiratory]], cardiovascular, [[Endocrine Disorders - Donkey|endocrine]], [[Reproductive Disorders - Donkey|reproductive]] and [[Musculoskeletal Disorders - Donkey|musculoskeletal]] systems.

===History===

===History===

'''Assessment of pain'''

'''Assessment of pain'''

Pain is the most important criterion for assessing the presence of colic in the horse. However, donkeys show few overt signs of pain, so colic may not be identified until the donkey is in the terminal stages of the disease. A donkey in pain will often stand with its head lowered, lie down or not respond as normal. A donkey with abdominal pain is frequently described as being [[Donkey - Dull Donkey|‘dull’]]. An acute abdominal crisis may, however, present with signs similar to those seen in the horse. Abdominal ballottement and external palpation in smaller donkeys may also be useful to assess abdominal pain and distension. Dullness has been found to be the most common (90.1%) presenting sign of impactive colic followed by reduced appetite (45%) (Cox ''et al'', 2007).

Pain is the most important criterion for assessing the presence of colic in the horse. However, donkeys show few overt signs of pain, so colic may not be identified until the donkey is in the terminal stages of the disease. A donkey in pain will often stand with its head lowered, lie down or not respond as normal. A donkey with abdominal pain is frequently described as being [[Dull Donkey|‘dull’]]. An acute abdominal crisis may, however, present with signs similar to those seen in the horse. Abdominal ballottement and external palpation in smaller donkeys may also be useful to assess abdominal pain and distension. Dullness has been found to be the most common (90.1%) presenting sign of impactive colic followed by reduced appetite (45%) (Cox ''et al'', 2007).

[[Image:Taking the pulse.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>Taking the pulse (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

[[Image:Taking the pulse.jpg|right|thumb|250px|<small><center>Taking the pulse (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

'''Heart rate'''

'''Heart rate'''

'''Musculo-skeletal system examination'''

'''Musculo-skeletal system examination'''

Donkeys in the UK frequently suffer from [[Laminitis - Donkey|laminitis]] which, if severe, may present as prolonged recumbency, altered stance, depression and anorexia that may be mistaken for signs of abdominal pain. The presence of a white line abscess may also present with similar signs. The gait should be assessed and the feet examined for increased digital pulses and solar pain. (See [[Conditions of the foot|foot diseases]]).

Donkeys in the UK frequently suffer from [[Laminitis - Donkey|laminitis]] which, if severe, may present as prolonged recumbency, altered stance, depression and anorexia that may be mistaken for signs of abdominal pain. The presence of a white line abscess may also present with similar signs. The gait should be assessed and the feet examined for increased digital pulses and solar pain. (See [[Foot Conditions - Donkey|foot diseases]]).

'''Abdominal auscultation'''

'''Abdominal auscultation'''

'''Appetite'''

'''Appetite'''

Appetite should be assessed in any donkey initially presenting to the practitioner as [[Donkey - Dull Donkey|dull]]. This may be the only sign of abdominal pain shown. If the donkey has been anorexic for some time, secondary [[Donkey - Hyperlipaemia|hyperlipaemia]] may have developed. A blood sample should therefore be taken for triglyceride measurement.  

Appetite should be assessed in any donkey initially presenting to the practitioner as [[Dull Donkey|dull]]. This may be the only sign of abdominal pain shown. If the donkey has been anorexic for some time, secondary [[Hyperlipaemia - Donkey|hyperlipaemia]] may have developed. A blood sample should therefore be taken for triglyceride measurement.  

'''Rectal examination'''

'''Rectal examination'''

A normal range for biochemical and haematological parameters for the healthy donkey has been established by The Donkey Sanctuary. Complete blood count and biochemical analysis may allow the following abnormalities to be diagnosed:

A normal range for biochemical and haematological parameters for the healthy donkey has been established by The Donkey Sanctuary. Complete blood count and biochemical analysis may allow the following abnormalities to be diagnosed:

• [[Donkey - Hyperlipaemia|Hyperlipaemia]]

• [[Hyperlipaemia - Donkey|Hyperlipaemia]]

** Triglyceride assay may not be included in a routine screen and may need to be specifically requested

** Triglyceride assay may not be included in a routine screen and may need to be specifically requested

** If biochemical analysis is not available immediately then a visual assessment of the triglyceride level can be made. A blood sample should be taken in a tube without anticoagulant. When the clot retracts the serum will appear cloudy if the donkey is severely hyperlipaemic  

** If biochemical analysis is not available immediately then a visual assessment of the triglyceride level can be made. A blood sample should be taken in a tube without anticoagulant. When the clot retracts the serum will appear cloudy if the donkey is severely hyperlipaemic