Your vet will probably carry out the following: Depending on the findings, your vet may introduce fluids into your donkey’s stomach via a tube that is inserted up one nostril. The old adage, 'prevention is better than cure', definitely applies. For example, studies have noted that few horses (19%) showed colic signs for more than 12 hours [8], while others have recorded a maximum of 24 hours Table 6: Multivariable conditional logistic regression model 2 of risk factors for impaction colic in donkeys housed at the Donkey Sanctuary between 1st January 2003 and 31st March 2005. Be aware of temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate. Colic (abdominal pain) is a clinical condition of serious concern affecting the welfare and survival of donkeys at the Donkey Sanctuary in the UK. Check troughs at least daily. Reduce stress and ensure you ‘trickle feed’ your donkey. Colic also has several types, although almost all increase a donkey’s respiratory and heart rates. The severe nature of the problems that colic symptoms represent means that we need to be able to recognise the signs early, so that appropriate treatment can be started promptly. endstream endobj 25 0 obj <>>> endobj 26 0 obj <> endobj 27 0 obj <. Monitor your donkey’s condition and behaviour while you are waiting. When the storm arrives, check your horses regularly and watch closely for signs of colic. However little is known about the incidence of, or risk factors for, this condition. Donkey: Colic Clinical signs Donkeys are very stoical and therefore do not show the obvious clinical signs seen in horses e.g. Avoid grazing on sandy soil pasture if possible. Accordingly, decreased appetite, abdominal distension, dullness, continuous abdominal pain, decreased gut sound and congested mucous membrane were the common findings in donkey colic cases, in decreasing order of importance. One of the most commonly reported causes is due to impacted ingesta in the large intestine ("impaction colic"). You might see a donkey stretch themselves out in a standing position if they are extremely uncomfortable. The majority of practitioners will only see a small number of donkeys as clinical patients. A mule’s or donkey’s pulse … Many donkeys will not drink very cold water - take the chill off the water in cold weather. Feed - sudden changes to diet, poor quality feed, too much grass, feeding cereals: Eating non-food items such as plastic bags, rope or bedding: Dental disease - failure to chew food adequately resulting in a blockage of the gut: Worms - migrating worm larvae or large numbers of worms causing an obstruction: Impactions or blockages with partially digested food, Tumours in the abdomen, particularly in older donkeys, Obstructions with 'foreign bodies' such as plastic bags. • Try to perform your examination before giving any drugs as analgesics especially can hide the clinical signs. The practice of giving concentrate meal feeds put donkeys at increased risk (OR = 1.87; 1.18–2.96), which also was found to be a risk factor for impaction colic in a previous study. Any of the following signs should cause concern: If you see these signs or suspect that your donkey is unwell, call your vet immediately. It is important to take small changes in behavior very seriously with donkeys. Cloudy, watery, dry, swollen, constantly blinking, or crusty eyes indicates likely illness, injury, or potentially the gradual development of blindness in older donkeys. Watch out for donkeys eating their bedding, eg when box-rested under veterinary instruction. EQUINE METABOLIC SYNDROME: CAUSES, SIGNS, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION Adapted from the My Horse University Horse Nutrition online course. SignS oF Coli in DonKeyS Can be Subtle -DullneSS anD reDuCeD aPPetite. In cases of acute abdominal pain such as gastrointestinal torsion, donkeys may exhibit overt colic signs such as flank watching, kicking, sweating, and rolling. Therefore, appropriate pet insurance is something that donkey owners should consider. Please be aware that any veterinary treatment for health problems can sometimes be expensive. Figure 76-1 Low head carriage, reduced ear movements, and reduced social interaction are subtle clinical signs indicative of … Pick up manure from the paddock a minimum of twice per week. Ensure your donkeys' teeth are checked at least annually by a qualified equine dental technician or vet following a. Significant differences exist in the clinical presentation and diagnostic approach recommended in donkeys with clinical signs of colic. Persistently very loose or very dry droppings could be indicative of colic particularly if other symptoms appear. Painkillers, oral/IV fluids, periods of … The above symptoms could also be signs of pink eye, which is highly contagious. Early detection of colic will improve the chances of a successful outcome so know your horse’s signs of good health. Donkeys require specialist feeding - see our, Make any dietary changes gradually over at least a week, ideally 2-4 weeks. endstream endobj startxref • This does not make the colic less serious, the long term prognosis is identical to the horse, it just make the vets job much harder. Depending on whether a horse or donkey has colic, the symptoms may be somewhat different. They should be free of discharge and clear, and not appear sunken. Perform a rectal examination (a painless and vital procedure). Consider changing the bedding to something less palatable, such as wood shavings. EMS has some similar signs to Equine Cushings Disease, but it is a different disease with different underlying causes. XLEquine - Better Together. However, most horses with this condition display the following symptoms: 1. %%EOF Most owners can recognise classic signs of colic, such as a horse rolling a lot, but there are several subtle signs that can be easily missed. Observe your horse’s symptoms, including if he is having bowel movements, and keep him away from food for the time being. Clinical pathology findings are commonly leucopenia/leukocytosis and hypoalbuminemia. @�+H-���V�e`$@�g�� � \� ) Suspect teeth problems if donkeys are 'quidding' (dropping part chewed feed) or drooling saliva. Symptoms may include a loud, gurgling stomach and diarrhea, or the complete absence of stomach sounds and cessation of bowel movement. Colic is a symptom rather than a disease, and defined as abdominal pain. The incidence rate of all colics (5.9 episodes per 100 donkeys per year) and of impaction colic (3.2 episodes) was similar to that in horses. Per 60 seconds, a donkey’s respiratory rate should be 16 to 20 breaths. The results of visual, physical and clinical examination of colic cases are presented in Table 3. 51 0 obj <>stream Table 2. Know what normal dung looks like. 24 0 obj <> endobj Be especially vigilant with any horse that has a history of colic. wood or plastic. 0 12 Concentrate rations were given to donkeys that were underweight, sick, or had other clinical needs; traditionally feeds were given once or twice a day. Pain behaviors in the donkey may be more subtle than those in the horse and therapeutically there are differences in drug metabolism between donkeys … h�bbd``b`�$' �,$X�@� �H�M�� �� �D\�A��A� Symptoms: XLEquine - Better Together Choke is a relatively common condition seen in horses and ponies and is typically caused by obstruction of the oesophagus (food pipe) with food; occasionally a foreign body can be involved e.g. We also provide details of the main health concerns that donkeys face, so you are both vigilant and prepared should your donkeys ever show the early signs of being unwell, because, as you are about to learn, donkeys are stoic creatures who hide their pain well. rolling, pawing and stretching. A colicky horse in winter may not be especially sweaty, but be on the lookout for restlessness, dry and/or scant manure, lying down more than usual and “flank gazing” as he looks back at his painful sides. Just because the signs can be less dramatic it does not mean the donkey is feeling pain any the less. Hospitalisation may be indicated and some cases may require surgery. Ensure regular faecal worm egg counts are carried out to determine if your donkeys require. h�b```��,�a������ It is estimated that 90% of horse owners can’t spot the early signs of colic, so understanding some of these is crucial to help your horse. The first signs of colic in a donkey would be kicking or biting at the stomach area, standing up and lying down consistently, rolling, sweating, and coughing sounds. Less than 10 percent of all colic cases are severe enough to require surgery or cause the death of the horse. An astute horse owner will notice mild signs of colic such as: Off feed, or disinterest in feed; Lip licking, curling; Flank watching; Restlessness Disease was most common during the wet season. Feed good quality forage and donkey specific proprietary feeds. Clinical signs of colic • Donkeys show far fewer behavioural signs to pain. Hyperlipemia syndrome is a metabolic disease of ponies, miniature horses and donkeys; it rarely occurs in horses. Listen to the abdomen with a stethoscope to check the gut sounds, Ask you about what the animal has been eating. A horse experiencing colic may bite or kick at its stomach and want to lay down. Fence off trees during fruiting to prevent gorging. Avoid mouldy feed, Always soak sugar beet to the manufacturer’s recommendations, Ensure regular feeding: little and often, especially if the animal is on additional feed, Avoid access to too much rich spring grass, which can lead to problems with. Consider offering several sources of water. Clinical experience suggests that flunixin meglumine may mask the early signs of conditions that require surgery and, therefore, must be used carefully in horses with colic. The most commonly used sedative for colic is xylazine, an α 2 -agonist. Rich feeds, particularly those that are high in starch and sugar, can cause laminitis and colic. Her owner 46 year-old El Yousfi Abderahim grew worried once he realised that Maggie wasn’t her usual, healthy self: donkeys in Kaptanya. Rolling and pawing at the ground (rare in donkeys, if seen indicates very serious problem), Colour of gums or inside eyelid - brick red colour is a poor sign. Her little guy had been rolling and thrashing, flicking his tail and generally seemed very uncomfortable. Dental disease is more common in older donkeys. Just because the signs can be less dramatic it does not mean the donkey is feeling pain any the less. There are many causes, and many ways to greatly reduce the risk of colic. Cardboard or paper bedding is not recommended for donkeys. It will be really helpful if you can tell the vet if your donkey produces any dung and whether it looks normal. Check your equine often for heavy fat pockets or pads that show up on different parts of the body, such as across the neck, top of the ribs and the dock of the tail. Hyperlipemia refers to the condition-disease, while hyperlipidemia refers to the increase in serum triglyceride concentrations (hypertriglyceridemia). All of our UK sanctuaries are temporarily closed until further notice. Thick, “cresty” neck and abnormal fat deposits can be a sign of grass founder. Their heart rate should be roughly 44 beats, also in a minute. Self-fill drinkers can become blocked, water supply can fail, Clean any contaminated water containers as donkeys will not drink dirty water, Check water is not frozen or too cold. The main problems facing donkeys were wounds and injuries, helminthiasis, fly attacks and sudden deaths. 42 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<3A7E6675EFDEB14F89C855632A41C251>]/Index[24 28]/Info 23 0 R/Length 90/Prev 46319/Root 25 0 R/Size 52/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream �`pڏ��I�vHXIZ�AGArG�u4@d�R3��:Ajyx,�6���2��.5m=˔�m�.�%��Y���0g�fkq��Ȁ�3$ I.�b��6 ``���0 � Observe your donkey daily, looking for any changes in behaviour. • Spasmodic colic (6%), neoplasia (4%), diarrhoea (3%), pancreatitis (3%) Treatment: Treating colic in donkeys is very similar to horses, and the goals are to eliminate pain, correct dehydration and restore gut motility and passage of faeces (manure). the bowel. An animal with colic may have a distended stomach that is hard to the touch. Choke is a relatively common condition seen in horses and ponies and is typically caused by obstruction of the oesophagus (food pipe) with food; occasionally a foreign body can be involved e.g. Encourage your horse to rest as much as possible. Check the donkey’s breathing pattern so you will be able to spot any change. It may be necessary to put your donkey onto a ‘drip’ (fluid introduction via the large vein in the neck). Curing colic in donkeys – Maggie’s colic. Causes and Signs Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is also called Peripheral Cushing's Disease or insulin resistance. Treatment depends on the cause diagnosed by the vet. Horses exhibit signs of colic differently than donkeys, as they tend to be more dramatic creatures than the donks. Some abdominal pain is inevitable, eg during foaling. Curing colic in donkeys – Maggie’s colic. wood or plastic. Summary of key differences between the presentation and diagnosis of colic in the donkey compared to the horse. Check pasture and boundary fences and hedgerows frequently and remove them or fence off the problem area. The good news is that most cases of colic are mild and resolve with simple medical treatment, and sometimes with no specific treatment at all. Research at The Donkey Sanctuary suggests that a significant percentage of donkeys reported as being just 'dull' are diagnosed with colic. See our FAQs. The following kinds of colic (not an exhaustive list) are sometimes seen: The donkey with colic may only become dull and unwilling to eat. Loss of appetite and listlessness are other symptoms. Investigation of colic is aimed at identifying the patient’s physical status and the cause of the colic so that medical or surgical treatment can be tailored accordingly. Avoid access to grain and other rich feed. However, any suspicion of colic requires immediate veterinary attention. donkeys in order to minimise the risk of any health, behavioural or welfare problems. Euthanasia may also be the kindest option in serious cases. Diagnosis of Colic in Horses If your horse is exhibiting any symptoms of colic or any condition in which your horse is showing signs of colic, contact your veterinarian. Pancreatitis - very serious inflammation of the pancreas. The “stoic” nature of a donkey may mean the only signs of colic you observe are “dullness” and an unwillingness to eat. When Your Horse First Shows Signs of Colic Colic 101 The term “colic” refers to abdominal pain rather than a specific disorder. Lack of or a reduction in the normal quantity of droppings. As previously stated, there are various forms of equine colic. The animal may arch its back in pain, become restless or cry. Colitis cases have also been reported in donkeys, with typical clinical signs of dullness, anorexia, mild colic, weight loss, and diarrhea . To help you catch this devastating hoof disease while your horse still has a chance to avoid suffering its consequences, our sources have helped us come up with a list of 10 early warning signs. Ensure your donkeys cannot access such material. SIGNS THAT A DONKEY HAS COLIC The donkey with colic may only become dull and unwilling to eat.. Pain killers will probably be prescribed and other drugs such as antibiotics may be indicated. %PDF-1.7 %���� Some causes, such as tumours, may be unavoidable and their likelihood increases with age. Mainly young donkeys were affected. What Are The Symptoms Of Colic? Give the vet any information that you have observed. The consequence is that many donkeys with colic must also be treated for hyperlipemia, which may have a higher mortality rate than the primary condition. Be aware of the average number of piles of droppings your donkeys pass each day as well as the consistency. Do not attempt to treat your donkey yourself or give it a feed or any drugs. Maggie a six year-old donkey was brought into SPANA’s centre in Chemaia, Morocco, suffering with a bad case of colic (abdominal pain). The Donkey Sanctuary has provided this guide to understanding colic, what signs to look for, its treatment and how to prevent colic in donkeys. The stoic nature of the donkey is such that signs of colic are usually less dramatic than those seen in a horse, such as rolling, sweating, pawing the ground. Any of the following signs should cause concern: Dullness - most commonly the first sign ClOuDy Serum IN A blOOD SAmPle (Due t O HIGH FAt levelS) IS A CHArACterIStIC SIGN. Colic is so dangerous because by the time your donkey lets you know it has colic, it may be too late to save it. The stoic nature of the donkey is such that signs of colic are usually less dramatic than those seen in a horse, such as rolling, sweating or pawing the ground. Colic is the number-one killer of horses. 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