The indications are as for the horse (e.g. foetal oversize, dystocia) and, in most cases, a ventral midline approach is used as in the horse. Many donkeys are poorly supervised around foaling and may be presented for dystocia in a state of endotoxic shock. In a paper by Bourassi and Kay (2006), the results of standing left flank approach to caesarean section under sedation and local anaesthesia is presented. Although the sample size was small, the authors comment that the technique may provide a safe, low cost and viable alternative to conventional mid-line laparotomy. In addition, the same authors suggest that donkeys carrying hinny foals may be more susceptible to dystocia due to poorer regulation of foetal growth.
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
- 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.
