Changes

* Aged animals should be fed separately from more boisterous individuals or those with a decreased calorie requirement

* Aged animals should be fed separately from more boisterous individuals or those with a decreased calorie requirement

* Individuals with [[Donkey - Dental Problems|dental disease]] or chronic low-grade pain associated with conditions such as [[Donkey - Conditions of Geriatric Donkeys#Chronic osteoarthritis|osteoarthritis]] often need special arrangements to feed satisfactorily

* Individuals with [[Donkey - Dental Problems|dental disease]] or chronic low-grade pain associated with conditions such as [[Osteoarthritis - Donkey|osteoarthritis]] often need special arrangements to feed satisfactorily

* Small alterations in husbandry which include raising the height of feed buckets and grating tasty treats such as carrots and apples will encourage the animal to eat and look forward to feed times  

* Small alterations in husbandry which include raising the height of feed buckets and grating tasty treats such as carrots and apples will encourage the animal to eat and look forward to feed times  

* Time to complete a feed can become an increasing issue for the older donkey with osteoarthritis or dental problems; ensure there is sufficient space and time for the donkey to eat at its own pace

* Time to complete a feed can become an increasing issue for the older donkey with osteoarthritis or dental problems; ensure there is sufficient space and time for the donkey to eat at its own pace

* 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 [[Donkey - Dental Problems|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]].  

Some aged animals still manage to retain a lot of body condition despite other geriatric conditions. Whereas weight loss is obviously desirable in clinical cases of osteoarthritis and [[Laminitis - Donkey|laminitis]], extreme care should be taken

Some aged animals still manage to retain a lot of body condition despite other geriatric conditions. Whereas weight loss is obviously desirable in clinical cases of osteoarthritis and [[Laminitis - Donkey|laminitis]], extreme care should be taken

to avoid tipping the subject over into [[Donkey - Hyperlipaemia|hyperlipaemia]].

to avoid tipping the subject over into [[Hyperlipaemia - Donkey|hyperlipaemia]].

==Suggested routine care and management of the 20+ year old donkey==

==Suggested routine care and management of the 20+ year old donkey==