Donkey Internal Medicine—Part I: Metabolic, Endocrine, and Alimentary Tract Disturbances

Abstract

a b s t r a c tMetabolic and endocrine disturbances are common in donkeys. This species has an inherent ability to thrive with limited and poor-quality roughage. Donkeys are extremely efficient in energy storage and mobilization, which predisposes to hyperlipemia, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of dyslipidemias is higher in donkeys than other equids, which is more evident under stressful conditions. Diagnosis of endocrine and metabolic disorders in donkeys should be based on species-specific information considering that differences in a multitude of variables compared with horses have been demonstrated. Protocols to assess endocrine disorders (e.g., pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, metabolic syndrome, and thyroid illness) are unavailable, and extrapolation from horse data can be misleading. Treatment guidelines for these conditions in donkeys are currently not reported. On the other hand, the typical stoic and hardy behavior of donkeys can hinder prompt diagnosis of gastrointestinal problems, specifically colic, which is commonly caused by dental issues in this species. Moreover, subclinical gastric ulcer syndrome appears to be a common pathology in this species, especially in working donkeys.

Diagnostic orientation values for ACTH and other parameters for clinically healthy donkeys and mules (insulin, triglycerides, glucose, fructosamines, and ɣ‐GT)

“…Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is the endocrine disease found most frequently in horses (Frank, ). In addition to horses, donkeys and mules may also suffer from PPID (Burden, ; Mendoza, Toribio, & Perez‐Ecija, ; Peel, Bouts, Flach, Rivers, & Routh, ; Sprayson, ). However, only a few publications concerning the latter are available (Schwarz, ) and results from horse studies may not simply be transferred to donkeys and mules (Coakley, Peck, Taylor, Matthews, & Mealey, ; Duffield, ; Levionnois, ; Pietta & Bartmann, ; Trawford, ).…”

Comprehensive Report of the Caseload of Donkeys and Mules Presented to a Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital over a Ten-Year Period

“…Some animals had very high BCS, indicating that obesity was a concern in this population of donkeys, especially miniature donkeys. Obesity and dyslipidemia in donkeys are of great concern, representing a serious medical disturbance of donkeys [12,13,14]. Most donkeys in our study were not used for work, and instead were residents of sanctuary and rescue farms.…”

Donkey Fascioliasis Within a One Health Control Action: Transmission Capacity, Field Epidemiology, and Reservoir Role in a Human Hyperendemic Area

“…Mortality rates up to 80% have been reported. Dyslipidemias in donkeys occur secondary to physiological dysfunctions and pathological processes, among which mainly liver disease (99). Donkeys are particularly susceptible to hyperlipaemia, a disease caused by too much fat in the blood.…”

“…Large amounts of fat trigger liver and kidney failure. Subsequently, all organs may fail leading to irreversible organ damage and death (99). Detection of an increase of plasma triglyceride levels (hyperlipemia) is crucial to assess fat circulation.…”