Nutrition and dental care of donkeys

Burden, Faith; Toit, Nicole du; Thiemann, Alex

doi:10.1136/inp.f4367

Cited by 12 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…; Burden et al . ), which could alter physiological parameters. This study is thus a timely revision of commonly used biochemical and haematological parameters for clinically healthy, mature donkeys.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Periodic review of reference intervals (RIs) is recommended in order to account for changes in laboratory methods and technologies (Anonymous 2011a). In addition, a marked increase in understanding specific nutritional requirements of donkeys in recent years has led to changes in management practices (Cox et al 2009;Burden et al 2013), which could alter physiological parameters. This study is thus a timely revision of commonly used biochemical and haematological parameters for clinically healthy, mature donkeys.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reference intervals for biochemical and haematological parameters in mature domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) in the UK

Burden

Hazell-Smith

Getachew

et al. 2015

Equine Veterinary Education

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Summary Reference intervals (RIs) for haematology and serum biochemistry for donkeys in a temperate climate have been previously published using blood sample results from the resident population of a large donkey shelter in the UK. Periodic review of reference intervals is recommended to ensure their applicability to the patient population and changes in laboratory methods and technologies. The current study aimed to revise the previously published haematology and serum biochemistry values for the adult domestic donkey (Equus asinus) in the UK in the light of a change in analytical equipment at the Donkey Sanctuary laboratory, but also to refine the demography of the sample population with respect to age, physiology and clinical history. Clinical pathology results from 138 clinically healthy mature (4–24 years inclusive) female and castrated male donkeys selected from the resident population of the Donkey Sanctuary, were analysed retrospectively. The animals were blood sampled during the period February 2008 to June 2011 as part of a routine health screen prior to rehoming. Results for a total of 38 biochemical and haematological parameters were analysed including 3 previously unreferenced parameters in addition to those assessed in the previous study. The new reference intervals and median values show very poor transferability with recently derived reference intervals for non‐Thoroughbred horses and only limited transferability with reference intervals previously published for donkeys in the UK. Of particular note is a marked reduction in the upper reference limit for triglycerides of 2.8 mmol/l (from 4.3 mmol/l) since this parameter is used to decide when donkeys are at risk of developing hyperlipaemia. This study demonstrates the value of intermittent review of reference intervals and refinement of study populations. Notwithstanding the caution with which reference interval data from different laboratories should be compared, the lack of transferability of results between donkeys and horses highlights the importance of use of species‐appropriate reference intervals for clinical decision‐making.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reference intervals for biochemical and haematological parameters in mature domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) in the UK

Burden

Hazell-Smith

Getachew

et al. 2015

Equine Veterinary Education

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“…Little information is available concerning the protein requirements of donkeys. Some studies have suggested that the protein requirements of donkeys may be lower than those of ponies and horses [22,24,25]. No data are available on the CP requirement of lactating donkeys, although Smith and Burden [19] determined that the maintenance CP requirement is 40 g CP/100 kg of BW/day.…”

Section: Nutritional Requirementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of the Appropriate Nutrition Welfare Criteria of Dairy Donkeys: Nutritional Requirements, Farm Management Requirements and Animal-Based Indicators

Raspa

Cavallarin

McLean

et al. 2019

Animals

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Data are available in the scientific literature concerning the quality and usefulness of donkey milk for human consumption. However, there is a lack of studies related to the understanding of the welfare of dairy donkeys. The only attempt, at a European Union level, to assess the welfare of donkeys is that of the Animal Welfare Indicator’s (AWIN) welfare assessment protocol for donkeys, where the appropriate nutrition welfare criteria have been assessed, but only through the evaluation of the body condition score. However, several other indicators that take into account the importance of good feeding welfare principles should be considered for the correct management of dairy donkeys. Therefore, it is hoped that this review of the available scientific literature will be useful to help establish a set of appropriate welfare requirements and indicators for the management of dairy donkeys. The review is aimed at identifying and discussing other requirements and indicators, such as nutritional requirements, farm management requirements and animal-based indicators, which may be important for the correct assessment of the appropriate nutrition welfare criteria and to establish best practices for the feeding of dairy donkeys.

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“…Correcting severe dental abnormalities may not be possible in geriatric animals, but if it is attempted then the donkey should have a good examination before the procedure, including blood sampling and sufficient analgesia during and after any procedures (Burden and others 2013). …”

Section: How To Assess Quality Of Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing quality of life and welfare of donkeys in the UK

Thiemann¹,

Fernández²,

Rickards³

et al. 2018

In Practice

Self Cite

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The role of donkeys in the UK and Europe has changed over the past 40 years, and is still changing – these equids are primarily used as companions, but also for tourism, therapy and increasingly for milk production. When it comes to the end of their lives and issues surrounding equine end-of-life care, a recent study highlighted that many donkey owners rely on their vet to provide them with information on quality of life (QOL) assessment, geriatric care and euthanasia planning. This article aims to assist veterinary surgeons in assessing donkey welfare and helping owners decide how to improve QOL or whether an end-point has been reached and euthanasia is indicated.

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Nutrition and dental care of donkeys

Cited by 12 publications

References 11 publications

Reference intervals for biochemical and haematological parameters in mature domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) in the UK

Reference intervals for biochemical and haematological parameters in mature domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) in the UK

A Review of the Appropriate Nutrition Welfare Criteria of Dairy Donkeys: Nutritional Requirements, Farm Management Requirements and Animal-Based Indicators

Assessing quality of life and welfare of donkeys in the UK

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