Successful treatment of chronic grass sickness in a donkey

Abstract

Summary This case report outlines the successful management of a case of chronic grass sickness in a donkey and highlights that the occurrence of grass sickness may be underestimated in this species. Furthermore, grass sickness should be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of inappetance and ill thrift in donkeys.

Gastrointestinal Disorders of Donkeys and Mules

“…Equine grass sickness is rarely reported in donkeys, but should be kept as a differential diagnosis of weight loss, inappetence, and ileus in the United Kingdom. 12 Lack of clinical recognition may be the main reason for its apparent low incidence. Diagnosis and management are similar to other equids.…”

Equine grass sickness in a donkey

“…The case of equine grass sickness (EGS) in a donkey, described by Mellor et al (2013) in this issue of EVE, raises some interesting issues including the apparent rarity of, and diagnostic challenges associated with, EGS in this member of the Equidae family. Also of particular note is the fact that this constitutes the first official report of EGS survival in a donkey.…”