Identifying behavioural differences in working donkeys in response to analgesic administration

Abstract

SummaryReasons for performing study: To identify pain-related behaviour in working donkeys in order to assist their owners and veterinarians to recognise and manage pain. Objectives: To identify general and specific behaviours associated with pain or its relief using a trial with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam (Metacam). Study design: Observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Methods: Forty adult male working donkeys with common clinical abnormalities were randomly assigned to receive either a single loading dose of meloxicam (1.2 mg/kg bwt per os; n = 20) or a placebo (30 mg honey/250 ml water per os; n = 20). Observation of postural and event behaviours was undertaken at 2 pretreatment time points followed by 4 post treatment time points, using scan (instantaneous) and focal sampling. Results: In comparison to pretreatment baselines, donkeys receiving meloxicam were more alert post treatment than the placebo group. They were observed lying down less frequently (P = 0.007), with their eyes closed less frequently (P = 0.04) and having a high head carriage more frequently (P = 0.02). Dozing behaviour decreased after meloxicam compared with the pretreatment baseline (P = 0.03). Donkeys given meloxicam also showed more interest in their environment, turning to look at environmental stimuli more frequently (P = 0.05) than those in the placebo group post treatment. Neither the meloxicam nor the placebo group showed a significant post treatment improvement in lameness scores. Conclusions: Working donkeys receiving meloxicam were more active and alert compared with their pretreatment behaviour, confirming the potential value of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in identifying behaviours indicative of pain in working donkeys. Behavioural assessment of pain in working donkeys in field clinic conditions will enable veterinary staff and owners to identify welfare issues promptly and monitor response to analgesia.

Clinical abnormalities in working donkeys and their associations with behaviour

“…The study environment accurately represented the environment in which behaviours are normally performed and animals were observed for a realistic duration (10 minutes). The behavioural repertoire was not diminished by the busy environment, if anything the donkeys appeared more relaxed and expressive than in previous studies when they had been moved to quieter locations for observation ( Regan and others 2014 , 2015 ). Behaviours were selected to be directly relevant for assessing pain and response to treatment, as described in equine literature and investigated in previous two studies by the same authors ( Regan and others 2014 , 2015 ).…”

Monitoring Acute Pain in Donkeys with the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Donkeys Composite Pain Assessment (EQUUS-DONKEY-COMPASS) and the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Donkey Facial Assessment of Pain (EQUUS-DONKEY-FAP)

“…Regan et al [7] described the behavioural repertoire of working donkeys as well, with the intention of building an evidence-based ethogram to assess pain in working donkeys. In a recent study [8], these authors assessed behavioural differences in response to analgesic treatment in working donkeys.…”

A Pilot Welfare Assessment of Working Ponies on Gili Trawangan, Indonesia

“…Several factors result in significant health and welfare risks: management factors such as prolonged confinement, lack of free exercise, strenuous physical work, and water restrictions; situational factors such as hot, humid climates, and harsh working environments; and socio-economic factors including poverty and limited access to veterinary services [10,13,14,16,17]. Good animal health and welfare is crucial for working equids, and for those who depend on them [14,18].…”