Iatrogenic and Idiopathic Skin Disorders - Donkey

Introduction

It is an unfortunate fact that many donkeys are subjected to all manner of mistreatment for trivial skin disease, or are inclined to be ignored until the skin is appallingly bad, and then subjected to an inappropriate treatment. There is a general belief that the skin of the donkey can ‘tolerate’ every known insult, but in reality donkey skin is probably one of the most sensitive to chemical insult.

Chemical skin damage is common as a result of over-strength chemicals used to treat skin disease. Old engine oil, hot liquid paraffin, battery acid, etc., have, regrettably, been used for years to ‘treat’ various dermatological conditions! Of course they may well kill ectoparasites, but the disadvantages are plain! Traumatic skin damage from ill-fitting or poorly made harness can cause enormous problems, but careful observation will usually reveal the correlating pattern of skin inflammation.

Treatment

Management of iatrogenic/chemical dermatitis is sometimes very difficult and the full extent of the damage may not be immediately apparent. Normal wound hygiene is the centrepiece of treatment.

References

• Knottenbelt, D. (2008) Skin disorders In Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) The Professional Handbook of the Donkey, 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 8

DERMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS - DONKEY

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