Changes

==Suggested routine care and management of the 20+ year old donkey==

==Suggested routine care and management of the 20+ year old donkey==

[[Image:Individual straw donkey.jpg|right|thumb|150px|<small><center> (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

[[Image:Individual straw donkey.jpg|right|thumb|150px|<small><center> (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

* Regularly monitor condition and weight objectively. Record weight or girth measurements and condition score

* Regularly monitor condition and weight objectively. Record weight or girth measurements and [[Body Condition Score - Donkey|condition score]]

* Avoid obesity

* Avoid obesity

* Feed according to weight, dentition, season, laminitic predispositon and the individual response to intake. Adlib or small and frequent feeds rather than a single daily ‘feast’ are advisable. Many aged donkeys spend most of their day getting through these feeds but, surprisingly, manage to thrive quite well as long as they are given the opportunity to eat in their own time

* Feed according to weight, dentition, season, laminitic predispositon and the individual response to intake. Adlib or small and frequent feeds rather than a single daily ‘feast’ are advisable. Many aged donkeys spend most of their day getting through these feeds but, surprisingly, manage to thrive quite well as long as they are given the opportunity to eat in their own time

* Regular, preferably six-monthly, dental examinations

* Regular, preferably six-monthly, dental examinations. See [[Media:Donkey Dental Care for Vets and Equine Dental Technicians.pdf|Donkey Dental Care for Vets and Equine Dental Technicians]] factsheet

* Tetanus vaccination

* Tetanus vaccination

* Regular faecal worm egg counts (at least four times a year)

* Regular faecal worm egg counts (at least four times a year)

* Feed and water old donkeys separately and at an appropriate height

* Feed and water old donkeys separately and at an appropriate height

* Encourage ‘hands-on’ daily care, grooming and hoof-picking. This handling in its own right helps reduce stress when veterinary treatment becomes necessary

* Encourage ‘hands-on’ daily care, grooming and hoof-picking. This handling in its own right helps reduce stress when veterinary treatment becomes necessary

* Monitor chronic pain and quality of life on a regular basis

* Monitor chronic pain and quality of life on a regular basis. See [[Media:Donkey Quality of Life Assessment.pdf|Donkey Quality of Life Assessment]] factsheet

==References==

==References==