Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

[[Image:Photosensitisation donkey.jpg|right|thumb|200px|<small><center>Photosensitisation (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

[[Image:Photosensitisation donkey.jpg|right|thumb|200px|<small><center>Photosensitisation (Image courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

Donkeys are liable to the full range of toxic skin disease and perhaps the

Donkeys are liable to the full range of toxic skin disease and perhaps the most alarming is '''photosensitization''' arising as a '''result of chronic/terminal liver failure'''. Most are due to '''hepatotoxic plants''' (and some dangerous chemical poisons with severe destructive hepatic effects). For example, '''ragwort (''Senecio jacobaea'')''' is highly toxic to donkeys.  

most alarming is '''photosensitization''' arising as a '''result of chronic/terminal liver failure'''. Most are due to '''hepatotoxic plants''' (and some dangerous chemical poisons with severe destructive hepatic effects). For example,

'''ragwort (''Senecio jacobaea'')''' is highly toxic to donkeys.  

==Clinical Signs==

==Clinical Signs==

'''Advanced liver failure '''signs may be present to guide the clinician, but sometimes '''photosensitization'''

'''Advanced liver failure '''signs may be present to guide the clinician, but sometimes '''photosensitization''' is the first sign. '''Extensive, exudative, inflammatory dermatitis''' arises over exposed areas of the skin. Interestingly, in the donkey, it is D. Knottenbelt's experience that the eruptions are not necessarily always confined to the white skinned areas, although the white areas are invariably much worse.

is the first sign. '''Extensive, exudative, inflammatory dermatitis''' arises over

exposed areas of the skin. Interestingly, in the donkey, it is my experience

that the eruptions are not necessarily always confined to the white skinned

areas, although the white areas are invariably much worse.

==Aetiology==

==Aetiology==