Changes

The donkey and horse are closely related, and many of the conditions that affect them are very similar. However, the detection of sickness or disease in the donkey can be made more difficult by its stoical nature. Dullness and depression may be the only symptoms exhibited. These subtle behavioural changes may also be accompanied by anorexia. Subtle changes in performance that can be early indicators of disease in sporting or racehorses are frequently impossible to detect in the donkey, as most UK donkeys lead a sedentary lifestyle as companion animals. This can unfortunately mean that the donkey may be in the advanced stages of a disease before a diagnosis is reached. The attending veterinary surgeon should therefore regard the call to a dull donkey as a call to a potentially very sick animal. This page focuses on the approach to the diagnosis of the cause of the dullness.

The donkey and horse are closely related, and many of the conditions that affect them are very similar. However, the detection of sickness or disease in the donkey can be made more difficult by its stoical nature. Dullness and depression may be the only symptoms exhibited. These subtle behavioural changes may also be accompanied by anorexia. Subtle changes in performance that can be early indicators of disease in sporting or racehorses are frequently impossible to detect in the donkey, as most UK donkeys lead a sedentary lifestyle as companion animals. This can unfortunately mean that the donkey may be in the advanced stages of a disease before a diagnosis is reached. The attending veterinary surgeon should therefore regard the call to a dull donkey as a call to a potentially very sick animal. This page focuses on the approach to the diagnosis of the cause of the dullness.

Click to see the [[Causes of dullness|'''causes of dullness''' at The Donkey Sanctuary]].

Click to see the [[Causes of dullness - Donkey|'''causes of dullness''' at The Donkey Sanctuary]].

There may also be other sub-clinical diseases in the dull donkey that may not be apparent to the veterinary surgeon even after clinical examination, complete blood count and biochemical analysis. For example, low-grade pain due to laminitis or arthritis may be occurring and may remain undiagnosed until the disease process is more advanced.

There may also be other sub-clinical diseases in the dull donkey that may not be apparent to the veterinary surgeon even after clinical examination, complete blood count and biochemical analysis. For example, low-grade pain due to laminitis or arthritis may be occurring and may remain undiagnosed until the disease process is more advanced.

Apparent dullness may sometimes be normal behaviour for donkeys as they are naturally quiet animals.

Apparent dullness may sometimes be normal behaviour for donkeys as they are naturally quiet animals.

[[Image:Dull donkey.jpg|right|thumb|500px|<small><center>Dull donkey (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

[[Image:Dull donkey.jpg|right|thumb|500px|<small><center>Dull donkey (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

*'''Age'''

*'''Age'''

The geriatric donkey will be more likely to suffer from diseases such as arthritis, dental disease, [[Laminitis - Donkey|laminitis]], [[Respiratory Disorders - Donkey - |chronic respiratory disease]], tumours of various origins and also neurological changes resulting in senility.

The geriatric donkey will be more likely to suffer from diseases such as arthritis, dental disease, [[Laminitis - Donkey|laminitis]], [[Respiratory Disease (Chronic) - Donkey|chronic respiratory disease]], tumours of various origins and also neurological changes resulting in senility.

==History==

==History==

*'''Appetite'''

*'''Appetite'''

Assessment of a dull donkey’s appetite is very important. The donkey should be offered the type of food it is used to eating. ‘Sham feeding’ is common in the sick donkey, so actual intake should be measured. If the donkey is reluctant to take its usual food, then a different type should be offered. Things such as molasses may be added to the food to increase the palatability. Brambles may also tempt an otherwise inappetent donkey.

Assessment of a dull donkey’s appetite is very important. The donkey should be offered the type of food it is used to eating. ‘Sham feeding’ is common in the sick donkey, so actual intake should be measured. If the donkey is reluctant to take its usual food, then the addition of grated apples and carrots, small amounts of peppermint cordial or un-molassed sugar beet may be useful to tempt fussy eaters. Brambles may also tempt an otherwise inappetent donkey.

Prehension, mastication and dysphagia can be assessed while observing the donkey eating. In the elderly donkey, dental disease should be considered an important differential for reluctance to, or difficulty with, eating. Total anorexia should be regarded as a very serious clinical sign in the donkey as it will lead to hyperlipaemia. Anorexia has been recorded in 76% of donkeys with impactions (Duffield ''et al'', 2002).: In another study, 45% of donkeys with impactive-type colic presented with reduced appetite (Cox ''et al'', 2007, 2008).

Prehension, mastication and dysphagia can be assessed while observing the donkey eating. In the elderly donkey, dental disease should be considered an important differential for reluctance to, or difficulty with, eating. Total anorexia should be regarded as a very serious clinical sign in the donkey as it will lead to hyperlipaemia. Anorexia has been recorded in 76% of donkeys with impactions (Duffield ''et al'', 2002).: In another study, 45% of donkeys with impactive-type colic presented with reduced appetite (Cox ''et al'', 2007, 2008).

* Duffield, H. (2008) An approach to the dull donkey In  Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) ''The Professional Handbook of the Donkey'', 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 2

* Duffield, H. (2008) An approach to the dull donkey In  Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) ''The Professional Handbook of the Donkey'', 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 2

* Cox, R., Proudman, C., Burden, F., Trawford, A., Gosden, L., and Pinchbeck, G. (2007). ‘A case control study to investigate risk factors for impaction colic in UK donkeys’. ''Proceedings of British Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2007''.

* Cox, R., Proudman, C., Burden, F., Trawford, A., Gosden, L., and Pinchbeck, G. (2007). ‘A case control study to investigate risk factors for impaction colic in UK donkeys’. ''Proceedings of British Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2007''.

* Duffield, H.F., Bell, N., and Henson, M.D. (2002). ''The 7th International Equine Colic Research Symposium Handbook''. p 122.  Manchester, 14-16 July 2002.{{toplink

* Duffield, H.F., Bell, N., and Henson, M.D. (2002). ''The 7th International Equine Colic Research Symposium Handbook''. p 122.  Manchester, 14-16 July 2002.

 

 

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