Pharmacology - Donkey

Introduction

To select a drug and dosage for a donkey, basic pharmacological principles have to be applied. There is the added disadvantage that few veterinary products include data on, or market authorisation for, the donkey. This section will briefly review some of the basic principles of pharmacology, outline some of the differences between donkeys and horses that may need to be taken into account in drug therapy, and provide background information on some of the main classes of drugs used commonly for donkeys.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

Prescribing

Drug Administration

Antimicrobial agents

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Sedatives

Opioids

Anaesthetic agents

Endoparasiticides

References

• Horspool, L. (2008) Clinical pharmacology In Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) The Professional Handbook of the Donkey, 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 12

• Bishop, Y. (2000). ‘Code of Practice on Medicines’. Veterinary Formulary. 5th edition. Y. Bishop (ed). The Pharmaceutical Press, London. pp 5-8.
• Coakley, M., Peck, K.E., Taylor, T.S., Matthews, N.S., and Mealey, K.L. (1999). ‘Pharmacokinetics of flunixin meglumine in donkeys, mules and horses’. American Journal of Veterinary Research 60. pp 1441-1444.
• Horspool, L.J.I., McKellar, Q.A. (1990). ‘Disposition of oxytetracycline in horses, ponies and donkeys after intravenous administration’. Equine Veterinary Journal 22(4). pp 284-285.
• Matthews, N.S., Peck, K.E., Mealey, K.L., Taylor, T.S., and Ray, A.C. (1997). ‘Pharmacokinetics and cardiopulmonary effects of guaifenesin in donkeys’. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 20. pp 442-226.
• Matthews, N.S., Peck, K.E., Taylor, T.S., and Mealey, K.L. (2001). ‘Pharmacokinetics of phenylbutazone and its metabolite oxyphenbutazone in miniature donkeys’. American Journal of Veterinry Research 62. pp 673-675.
• Matthews, N.S., Taylor, T.S. (2000). ‘Anesthetic management of donkeys and mules’. Recent Advances in Anesthetic Management of Large Domestic Animals. (ed). E.P. Steffey. International Veterinary Information Service [www.ivis.org], New York . A0607.0700.
• Matthews, N.S., Van Dijk, P. (2004). Anesthesia and analgesia for donkeys In Veterinary Care of Donkeys. N.S. Matthews, T.S. Taylor (eds). International Veterinary Information Service [www.ivis.org], New York. A2902.0904.
• Mealey, K.L., Matthews, N.S., Peck, K.E., Burchfield, M.I., Bennett, B.S. and Taylor, T.S. (2004). ‘Pharmacokinetics of R(-) and S(+) carprofen after administration of racemic carprofen in donkeys and horses’. American Journal of Veterinary Research 65. pp 1479-1482.
• Mealey, K.L., Matthews, N.S., Peck, K.E., Ray, A.C., and Taylor, T.S. (1997). ‘Comparative pharmacokinetics of phenylbutazone and its metabolite oxyphenbutazone in clinically normal horses and donkeys’. American Journal of Veterinary Research 58. pp 53-55.
• Peck, K., Mealey, K.L., Matthews, N.S., and Taylor, T.S. (1997). ‘Comparative pharmacokinetics of caffeine and three metabolites in clinically normal horses and donkeys’. American Journal of Veterinary Research 58. pp 881-884.
• Peck, K.E., Matthews, N.S., Taylor, T.S., and Mealey, K.L. (2002). ‘Pharmacokinetics of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim in donkeys, mules, and horses’. American Journal of Veterinary Research 63. pp 349-353.
• Trawford, A.F. (2004). ‘Prescribing for donkeys’. The Veterinary Formulary. 6th edition. Y. Bishop (ed). The Pharmaceutical Press, London.

Suggested reading

Bertone, J.J., Horspool, L.J.I. (2004). Equine Clinical Pharmacology, 1st edition. Elsevier, Oxford.

DONKEY CLINICAL SECTION - DONKEY