Changes

*'''Appetite'''

*'''Appetite'''

Assessment of a dull donkey’s appetite is very important. The donkey should be offered the type of food it is used to eating. ‘Sham feeding’ is common in the sick donkey, so actual intake should be measured. If the donkey is reluctant to take its usual food, then a different type should be offered. Things such as molasses may be added to the food to increase the palatability. Brambles may also tempt an otherwise inappetent donkey.

Assessment of a dull donkey’s appetite is very important. The donkey should be offered the type of food it is used to eating. ‘Sham feeding’ is common in the sick donkey, so actual intake should be measured. If the donkey is reluctant to take its usual food, then the addition of grated apples and carrots, small amounts of peppermint cordial or un-molassed sugar beet may useful to tempt fussy eaters. Brambles may also tempt an otherwise inappetent donkey.

Prehension, mastication and dysphagia can be assessed while observing the donkey eating. In the elderly donkey, dental disease should be considered an important differential for reluctance to, or difficulty with, eating. Total anorexia should be regarded as a very serious clinical sign in the donkey as it will lead to hyperlipaemia. Anorexia has been recorded in 76% of donkeys with impactions (Duffield ''et al'', 2002).: In another study, 45% of donkeys with impactive-type colic presented with reduced appetite (Cox ''et al'', 2007, 2008).

Prehension, mastication and dysphagia can be assessed while observing the donkey eating. In the elderly donkey, dental disease should be considered an important differential for reluctance to, or difficulty with, eating. Total anorexia should be regarded as a very serious clinical sign in the donkey as it will lead to hyperlipaemia. Anorexia has been recorded in 76% of donkeys with impactions (Duffield ''et al'', 2002).: In another study, 45% of donkeys with impactive-type colic presented with reduced appetite (Cox ''et al'', 2007, 2008).