Assessing quality of life and welfare of donkeys in the UK

Thiemann, Alex; Fernández, Elena Barrio; Rickards, Karen; Harrison, Anna

doi:10.1136/inp.k2584

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Poor QOL was identified as one of the main issues affecting the horse at the time of euthanasia (42.6%). Several studies of euthanasia in equids also identified QOL as an important factor 17,18 . It was therefore unsurprising that for over 90% of participants, compromise to the current or future QOL of their horse was a ‘very important’ factor that influenced their decision.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies of euthanasia in equids also identified QOL as an important factor. 17,18 It was therefore unsurprising that for over 90% of participants, compromise to the current or future QOL of their horse was a 'very important' factor that influenced their decision. This was a similar finding of another study, although their focus was specifically on euthanasia decisions for aged horses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cross‐sectional study of UK horse owner's purchase and euthanasia decision‐making for their horse

et al. 2021

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Background: This cross‐sectional study aimed to investigate factors affecting horse owners' purchase and euthanasia decisions that had been identified in a qualitative study. Methods: An online survey on horse owners' purchase and euthanasia decisions and experiences was distributed using snowball sampling. Inclusion criteria were previous experience of purchase or euthanasia decisions. Descriptive data analyses (mean, median, mode and frequency percentages) were performed. Results: There were 451 participants from the UK and Ireland, 97% were female with a median age of 45 years. Participants most frequently did not seek any advice when deciding what type of horse to purchase (38.6%, 169/438) or if it was priced appropriately (48.7%, 214/439). Most participants were satisfied with their purchase and would purchase their horse again (84.9%, 370/436). The most frequent reasons for euthanasia were injury/illness with low chance of survival (55.2%, 201/364), poor quality of life (42.6%, 155/363) and long‐term injury (35.7%, 130/364). Most participants sought advice or guidance when making end‐of‐life decisions (87.5%, 328/375), and 55% (243/440) had a euthanasia plan in place. Conclusions: Owners show limited advice‐seeking behaviour on key aspects of purchase decisions. Owners frequently seek advice on euthanasia decisions, and the majority of decisions were based on welfare concerns.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross‐sectional study of UK horse owner's purchase and euthanasia decision‐making for their horse

et al. 2021

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“…In severe cases, muscle wastage develops particularly in the shoulder region. Unfortunately, severe changes are seen frequently in geriatric donkeys particularly when changes occur gradually over time and a reduced quality of life is not recognised (Thiemann et al., 2018).…”

Section: Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of laminitis in the donkey

Thiemann

Buil

Rickards

et al. 2021

Equine Veterinary Education

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Laminitis is a commonly occurring, painful condition of the foot that can have a major impact on the welfare of affected donkeys. When faced with a donkey suspected to have laminitis, the approach is broadly similar to that in the horse, however there are certain factors unique to donkeys that this article aims to highlight including: the differences in use, behaviour, anatomy, therapy and management.

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“…Body weight, feed ingestion and blood metabolic parameters measurements are important to evaluate donkey health [ 9 ] and productive performance. Furthermore, fewer investigations have focused on the physiological phases [ 10 , 11 ] and diet in dairy jennies compared to other livestock species, and to the best of our knowledge no reference values are available for biochemical parameters in pregnancy and lactation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of the Physiological Status and Diet on Blood Metabolic Parameters in Amiata Dairy Donkeys

Salari

Roncoroni

Altomonte

et al. 2021

Animals

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Body weight changes and blood metabolic parameters in jennies feeding two different diets and in three physiological statuses were investigated (maintenance vs. pregnancy; maintenance vs. lactation). The relationships between blood metabolic profile and milk quality were also evaluated. Fourteen jennies were allocated to two groups (1: pregnant/lactating; 2: non-pregnant, non–lactating). Pregnant jennies and maintenance jennies (during the first 10-week measurement period) fed a diet consisted of ad libitum grass hay (diet 1); lactating jennies and maintenance jennies (during the last 10-week measurement period) fed ad libitum grass hay plus 2 kg/head/day of concentrate (diet 2). Blood sampling was performed on the jennies of both groups; individual milk samples were also collected during the first 70 days in milk. Higher blood NEFA (p < 0.05) were found in pregnant compared to maintenance jennies (diet 1) (68 vs. 37 μmol/L). Lactating jennies showed higher (p < 0.01) average blood NEFA (268 vs. 26 μmol/L) and glucose (66 vs. 55 mg/dL) compared to the maintenance (diet 2). Blood glucose was positively correlated to milk fat (p < 0.05), while negative significant correlations between de novo milk fatty acids and NEFAs were observed. Positive correlations between plasma B-HBA and somatic cell count (p < 0.01) were also found.

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Assessing quality of life and welfare of donkeys in the UK

Cited by 7 publications

References 14 publications

Cross‐sectional study of UK horse owner's purchase and euthanasia decision‐making for their horse

Cross‐sectional study of UK horse owner's purchase and euthanasia decision‐making for their horse

A review of laminitis in the donkey

Effects of the Physiological Status and Diet on Blood Metabolic Parameters in Amiata Dairy Donkeys

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