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Donkeys maintain a strange position in the UK animal-owning population. They are physically large animals, but as often as not they are regarded by their owners as companion animals, much the same as their dogs and cats. This dichotomy can bring about clinical challenges rarely seen with other species.

Donkeys maintain a strange position in the UK animal-owning population. They are physically large animals, but as often as not they are regarded by their owners as companion animals, much the same as their dogs and cats. This dichotomy can bring about clinical challenges rarely seen with other species.

In the UK, donkeys live a pasture lifestyle and many of their clinical problems arise from too much food and not enough exercise, the results of which are exacerbated as the animal reaches old age. Owners often need to be made aware that any animal over 20 years of age is in fact an ‘old agepensioner’ and as such will be susceptible to geriatric disorders.

In the UK, donkeys live a pasture lifestyle and many of their clinical problems arise from too much food and not enough exercise, the results of which are exacerbated as the animal reaches old age. Owners often need to be made aware that any animal over 20 years of age is in fact an ‘old age pensioner’ and as such will be susceptible to geriatric disorders.

Prevention is always preferable to cure and as the animals start to reach old age it is wise to encourage owners to have an ‘MOT’, or regular health examination, carried out on their donkeys. Initially an annual visit will suffice, progressing to twice yearly check-ups. These visits will allow the clinician to assess the condition and quality of life of the donkey. Ideally

Prevention is always preferable to cure and as the animals start to reach old age it is wise to encourage owners to have an ‘MOT’, or regular health examination, carried out on their donkeys. Initially an annual visit will suffice, progressing to twice yearly check-ups. These visits will allow the clinician to assess the condition and quality of life of the donkey. Ideally

'''[[Euthanasia - Donkey|Euthanasia]]

'''[[Euthanasia - Donkey|Euthanasia]]

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==References==

==References==

|linkpage =Clinical Section - Donkey

|linkpage =Clinical Section - Donkey

|linktext =Clinical Section - Donkey

|linktext =Clinical Section - Donkey

|pagetype=Donkey

|pagetype=Donkey

}}

}}