Changes

 

Most donkeys do not have the excitable nature of the horse. They are generally good patients and can be rewarding to operate on. However, their calm demeanour can mask pre-existing conditions and a '''full preoperative work-up is mandatory'''. At [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary] we routinely perform a clinical examination, including a dental examination and full haematology and biochemistry profile. A large proportion of donkeys in the UK are geriatric and have serious dental pathology and/or hepatic and renal dysfunction. In addition, there is an increased incidence of internal neoplasia in geriatric patients as well as the more obvious Cushing’s disease in these older patients. Surgery may still be possible, but extra care must be taken and owners should be counselled appropriately.

Most donkeys do not have the excitable nature of the horse. They are generally good patients and can be rewarding to operate on. However, their calm demeanour can mask pre-existing conditions and a '''full preoperative work-up is mandatory'''. At [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary] we routinely perform a clinical examination, including a dental examination and full haematology and biochemistry profile. A large proportion of donkeys in the UK are geriatric and have serious dental pathology and/or hepatic and renal dysfunction. In addition, there is an increased incidence of internal neoplasia in geriatric patients as well as the more obvious Cushing’s disease in these older patients. Surgery may still be possible, but extra care must be taken and owners should be counselled appropriately.