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[[Image:Elderly donkey joint.jpg|right|thumb|150px|<small><center>The shoulder joint of a 37-year-old donkey euthanased for hyperlipaemia and without any clinical history of significant lameness. (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

[[Image:Elderly donkey joint.jpg|right|thumb|150px|<small><center>The shoulder joint of a 37-year-old donkey euthanased for hyperlipaemia and without any clinical history of significant lameness. (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

The high incidence of this condition should not come as any surprise when dealing with elderly animals. Donkeys in the UK can live an unprecedented long life and they often just outlive the natural lifespan of their joints. In donkeys, spinal, especially cervical, regions are commonly affected as are proximal hind limb and shoulder joints and distal limbs.

The high incidence of this condition should not come as any surprise when dealing with elderly animals. Donkeys in the UK can live an unprecedented long life and they often just outlive the natural lifespan of their joints. In donkeys, spinal, especially cervical, regions are commonly affected as are proximal hind limb and shoulder joints and distal limbs.

A '''stringhalt-like condition''' is seen in a number of elderly donkeys. The involuntary flexion of one or both hind limbs can be quite severe and result in a most bizarre gait in some individuals. There is anecdotal evidence that the condition worsens during cold weather. In general, affected individuals do not appear unduly incapacitated nor do they improve on anti-inflammatory medication, although osteoarthritis of the affected joints must always be borne in mind.

A '''stringhalt-like condition''' is seen in a number of elderly donkeys. The involuntary flexion of one or both hind limbs can be quite severe and result in a most bizarre gait in some individuals. There is anecdotal evidence that the condition worsens during cold weather. In general, affected individuals do not appear unduly incapacitated nor do they improve on anti-inflammatory medication, although osteoarthritis of the affected joints must always be borne in mind.

==References==

==References==