Exploratory Laparotomy - Donkey

Introduction

This section offers an overview of the types of surgery commonly performed at The Donkey Sanctuary. A standard equine surgical text should be consulted for a more detailed explanation of the surgical techniques discussed. References to surgeries specific to the donkey are included below.

A review of the last 160 surgeries performed under general anaesthetic at The Donkey Sanctuary shows that the majority are routine castrations and the removal of dermal masses. In addition, operations on the hoof and distal phalanx are relatively common due to keratomas and/or septic pedal bone. In young donkeys we also see a number of tenotomy operations necessitated by flexural deformities of the distal inter-phalangeal joint. Less common are dental surgeries requiring the removal of cheek teeth, the removal of chondroids from the guttural pouch, exploratory laparotomy, enucleation of the eyeand wound management. Exploration of the frontal and/or maxillary sinus is frequently required under local anaesthetic and sedation.

Different populations of donkeys have different surgical problems. For example, in Donkey Sanctuary projects overseas, which concern a younger population of working, breeding animals, there is a higher incidence of work-related wounds and dystocias.

The age range of donkeys presented for surgery can be a challenge Many donkeys are presented for castration in their 20s, and geriatric donkeys often require surgical procedures. As in the horse, donkeys with increasing age show different problems. At The Donkey Sanctuary we have seen no instances of squamous cell carcinoma of the external genitalia, nor melanomas in grey animals. Pedunculated lipoma causing colic is rare, despite the tendency of the donkey to be obese.

General Principles

Castration

Treatment of Flexural Deformity

Exploratory Laparotomy

Rectal prolapse

Rectal prolapse is commonly seen in working donkeys overseas that are suffering from heavy parasitism, diarrhoea and malnutrition. Classification and treatment for the condition is as for the horse. There are two reports of rectal prolapse in donkeys in Egypt by Abd El-Kamm (1995).

Sialolithiasis

There are two reports in the literature about this condition by Kay (2005) and Misk and Nigam (1984). Both reports are from clinics dealing with working donkeys in Egypt and Morocco respectively. Kay suggested that there was over-representation of donkeys with sialoliths but the reason for this is unknown.

Mandibular clefts

There are two reports of mandibular clefts and bifid tongues in the literature relating to the donkey and mule (Farmande and Stöhler, 1990; Bouayad et al, 2006). Surgery was performed in four cases, of which two were not returned by their owners for follow-up, one died, but one managed well.

Maggot therapy for wound treatment

Maggot therapy – treatment of a deep injection abscess. (Image courtesy of The Donkey Sanctuary)

The Donkey Sanctuary has had two successful experiences using sterile maggots to treat deep infected necrotic wounds in donkeys. Sterile larvae of the common greenbottle, Lucilia sericata, supplied by the Surgical Materials Testing Laboratory (SMTL) were used to debride wounds where conventional therapy had failed (Bell and Thomas 2001; Thiemann, 2003).

References

• Thiemann, A. (2008) Surgery In Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) The Professional Handbook of the Donkey, 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 16

• Abd El-Karim, R.(1995). ‘Two cases of rectal prolapse in the donkey’.Equine Veterinary Education 7 (1). pp 12-14.
• Bell, N.J., Thomas, S. (2001). ‘Use of sterile maggots to treat panniculitis in an aged donkey’. Veterinary Record 149. pp 768-770.
• Bonfig, H., Ingenhorst, I. (1992). ‘Surgical removal of a pedunculated uterine tumour in a donkey mare’. Tierarztl Prax 20(1). pp 65-68.
• Bouayad, H., Rifai, S., Kay, R.S., Knottenbelt, D.C., and Smith, M. (2006). ‘Bifid tongue and Mandibular cleft in three mule foals’. Proceedings of the 9th Congress of the W.E.V.A. pp 334-346.
• Bourassi, M., Kay, G. (2006). ‘Dystocia in donkeys carrying mule foals in Morocco: an evaluation of 32 cases’. Proceedings of the 9th Congress of the W.E.V.A.
• Carmona, A.G., Sevilla, M.A.T., Sevilla, H.C., and Cabanas, A.L. (1997). ‘Correccion de la contraccion del tendon flexor profundo por medio de un herraje ortopedico en equidos’. Vet.Mex. 28 (2). pp175-177.
• Daniels, L.E., Conine, T.A., and Jackson, D.A. (1990). ‘A rehabilitation team approach to correct flexural deformities in a donkey foal’. Canadian Veterinary Journal 31. pp 297-299.
• Du Preeze, P.M. (1999). ‘Castration - update on techniques’. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the British Equine Veterinary Association,Newmarket, p 137.
• El Maghraby, H.M., Fahmy, M.F. (1995). ‘Orbital tumours in 2 Donkeys’. Equine Practice 17 (5). pp 26-30.
• Farmand, M., Stohler, T. (1990). ‘The median cleft of the lower lip and mandible and its surgical correction in a donkey’. Equine Veterinary Journal 22 (4). pp 298-301.
• Green, P. (2001). ‘Castration techniques in the horse’. In Practice 23 (5). pp 250-261.
• Kay, G. (2005). ‘Sialolithiasis in donkeys’. In: Veterinary care of donkeys. Matthews, N.S., and Taylor, T.S. (eds). International Veterinary Information Service. www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerenderfcgi?articl=14449901
• Misk, N.A., Nigam, M.V. (1984). ‘Sialolith in a Donkey’. Equine Practice 6(4). pp 49-50.
• Nelson, A.M., Baker, D.C. (1998). Veterinary Pathology 35(5). pp 407-409.
• Pugh, D.G. (2002). ‘Donkey reproduction’. AAEP proceedings 48. pp 113-114
• Thiemann, A.K. (2003). ‘Treatment of a deep injection abscess using sterile maggots in a donkey’. World Wide Wounds website. November 2003 (www.worldwidewounds.com)
• Thiemann, A.K., Makhambeni, M.M.S. (2006). ‘Five cases of ovariohysterectomy in the donkey’. 'Proceedings of the 9th congress of the W.E.V.A. pp 487-489.
• Vendrammi, O.M., Guintard, C. , Moreau, J., and Taintuner, D. (1989). ‘Cervix conformation: a first anatomical approach in Baudet de Poitou jenny asses’. Animal Science 66. pp 741-744.
• Walmsley, J.P. (1995). ‘Flexural deformities of distal interphalangeal joints in a group of young donkeys’. Equine Veterinary Education 7(1). pp 4-6.

SURGERY - DONKEY