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Neurological diseases of the skin, cutaneous hyperaesthesia
A hyperaesthetic (apparently pruritic) skin disorder that resulted in severe self-trauma has been reported. The donkey sustained a fracture of a cervical vertebra and the associated dermal segment showed persistent sweating and remained a constant irritation to the donkey. The area was traumatised persistently, but topical local anaesthetics had no material effect.
Rabies
Donkeys are liable to rabies like all other major mammals, and affected animals may show severe (central/paradoxical) pruritus. The patient will bite, lick and rub at the site of the original inoculation. Usually there is a history of a bite at the site and so clinicians MUST always ask before they examine a donkey in an endemic area that shows a focal, severe, progressive pruritus. Usually the course of the condition is rapid and so a diagnosis may be assumed or confirmed from the clinical and supportive tests.
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
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