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| − | ==General considerations==
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| − | [[Image:Elderly donkeys.jpg|right|thumb|150px|<small><center>Elderly donkeys with appropriate management enjoying life (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]
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| − | Routine clinical examination of the geriatric donkey should naturally include
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| − | assessment of all the ten body systems but it is useful to take time to stand
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| − | back and take a more holistic view of the animal and the conditions under
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| − | which it is kept. Allow time to monitor '''general demeanour''' prior to any
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| − | hands-on examination.
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| − | It is wise to remember that donkeys are capable of forming '''extremely
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| − | strong bonds''' with companions and can easily be stressed by being parted
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| − | from them even for the short period of time needed to perform a clinical
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| − | examination. This is even more important in the older animals where
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| − | geriatric companions may have a lifelong commitment to one another.
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| − | Keep such animals close by throughout the assessment.
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| − | Consider offering a small quantity of palatable, succulent feed and
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| − | '''observe prehension/feeding behaviour'''. Beware '''sham feeding''' where the
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| − | donkey seems to be interested and eating but in reality is often only ‘playing’
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| − | with the contents of the bucket or trough. This is a good time to monitor
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| − | for quidding. Also animals that have been fed in a group will often appear
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| − | to have ‘eaten-up’ perfectly well when they have actually been increasingly
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| − | anorexic for some time.
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| − | A '''blood sample''' should be taken early in the examination and allowed to
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| − | settle/clot. Secondary [[Hyperlipaemia - Donkey|hyperlipaemia]] is a common and serious complicating
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| − | factor in many instances of malaise in both the obese and lean individual.
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| − | Biochemistry/haematology screening will determine the triglyceride status
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| − | of the animal <font colr = 'green'>(The Donkey Sanctuary offer this service free to clinicians
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| − | within the UK, see Appendix 10).</font color>
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| − | When assessed regularly the [[Body Condition Score - Donkey|'''condition score''']] of the donkey is a
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| − | useful pointer, not only to how the elderly animal is utilizing feed, but it
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| − | can also indicate possible low-grade chronic pain from conditions such as
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| − | osteoarthritis. Many of the common conditions encountered in the ageing
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| − | donkey can be considered as potential causes of weight loss or ‘ill-thrift’.
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| − | Hands-on condition scoring is essential; many donkeys have bulky or thick
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| − | coats which can be deceptive to the eye alone. The clinician must also be
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| − | aware of the '''localized subcutaneous fat deposits''', e.g. paralumbar, rump,
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| − | dorsal thoracic ribs and especially at the crest. These may be of a significant
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| − | size and will often remain even though the donkey has lost a significant
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| − | amount of body condition. These deposits have a '''tendency to calcify''' over
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| − | time and, in the aged donkey, may easily be mistaken for tumours.
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| − |
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| − | ==Literature Search==
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| − | [[File:CABI logo.jpg|left|90px]]
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| − |
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| − | Use these links to find recent scientific publications via CAB Abstracts (log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation).
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| − | <br><br><br>
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| − | [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=od%3A%28donkeys%29+AND+subject%3A%28clinical+examination%29 Clinical Examination horses and donkeys related publications]
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| − |
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| − | ==References==
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| − | * Sprayson, T. (2008) The care of the geriatric donkey In Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) ''The Professional Handbook of the Donkey'', 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 13
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| | {{toplink | | {{toplink |
| | |backcolour = D1EEEE | | |backcolour = D1EEEE |
| | |linkpage =Geriatric Donkey | | |linkpage =Geriatric Donkey |
| | |linktext =Geriatric Donkey | | |linktext =Geriatric Donkey |
| | + | |rspace={{Donkey}} |
| | |pagetype=Donkey | | |pagetype=Donkey |
| | }} | | }} |
| − | {{infotable
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| − | |Maintitle = [[Sponsors#The Donkey Sanctuary|This section was sponsored and content provided by '''THE DONKEY SANCTUARY''']]
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| − | |Maintitlebackcolour = B4CDCD
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| − | }}
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| − | [[Category:Donkey]]
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| − | [[Category:Geriatric_Donkey]]
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