Causes of dullness - Donkey

• * Non-specific dullness: no abnormalities detected on clinical examination, complete blood count or biochemical analysis.
• ** Other causes of dullness diagnosed in donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary in the time period considered include:
  • Arthritis
  • Pyrexia
  • Dental disease
  • Anaemia
  • Neuropathy
  • Acetylpromazine administration
  • Hyperlipaemia with pancreatitis
  • Hyperlipaemia associated with azotaemia and liver damage
  • Coagulopathy
  • Hypoalbuminaemia
  • Multiple geriatric problems
  • Necrotic stomatitis
  • Fracture
  • Loss of companion
  • Oesophageal problem
  • Lyme disease
  • Mandibular fistula
  • Injection abscess
  • Septicaemia
  • Ocular disease
  • Cellulitis around lips

The causes of dullness have been reviewed in the Donkey Sanctuary’s population (Duffield et al, 2002) and the results are shown above. It is essential that the practitioner considers these differential diagnoses when attending a dull and depressed donkey. At the Donkey Sanctuary there is a high detection rate of dullness in the donkeys as the staff are aware that subtle changes in behaviour can be an indicator of serious diseases. They also have frequent and easy access to a vet. This means that there is a high incidence of ‘non-specific’ dullness in the Sanctuary’s donkey population.

References

• Duffield, H. (2008) An approach to the dull donkey In Svendsen, E.D., Duncan, J. and Hadrill, D. (2008) The Professional Handbook of the Donkey, 4th edition, Whittet Books, Chapter 2
• Duffield, H.F., Bell, N., and Henson, M.D. (2002). The 7th International Equine Colic Research Symposium Handbook. p 122. Manchester, 14-16 July 2002.

DULL DONKEY