Sarcoids can be found on any part of the body but they are most common around the head, eyes, groin, midline, and, axilla (underarms). If you suspect a donkey resident may have EMS, call your veterinarian. White line disease is almost as prevalent as sole ulcer and can be just as difficult to treat satisfactorily. Rolling and pawing at the ground (rare in donkeys, if seen indicates very serious problems), Color of gums or inside eyelid – brick red color is a poor sign, Lack of, or a reduction in the normal quantity of droppings. Healthy foot (left) and foot with white line disease (right). (Back to the top). Certain diseases will require additional care and treatment of the abscessed donkey. All of our UK sanctuaries are temporarily closed until further notice. See our FAQs. Donkeys with pyelonephritis may appear depressed and anorexic. They can cause inflammation of the brain in both equines and humans. Removing all the abnormal horn, ensuring good oxygenation to the area and maintaining good foot hygiene may be enough to manage the problem. (Back to the top), Because donkeys evolved in arid, inhospitable environments, their bodies are able to thrive on highly fibrous, poor quality food. Equine Flu is a contagious viral respiratory disease caused by various strains of the Influenza virus. Difficulty walking, stumbling, weakness of limbs. The chemical can be any of the traditional off the shelf preparations: Nufoot, merthiolate, formalin, white lightning, and thrush medicines, etc. It can be very painful. It is possible to treat a small separation by flushing and bandaging the area, and administering antibiotics and NSAIDs. Contact your veterinarian for the best course of action. Aging donkeys may also develop senile cataracts. You may have to consider a grazing muzzle if they have access to a grassy pasture, as too much high-sugar grass can cause a problem. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis is a neurological condition affecting donkeys and other equines. To treat, shave or clip the affected area, apply diluted antiseptic, and leave the afflicted area open to the air to dry. There are many cause of conjunctivitis, ranging from viral disease to fungal infections. (Back to the top), Thrush is a fungal infection caused by Spherophorus neaophorus. They make apply a poultice to draw out the abscess to the surface. There is no vaccination either. After an abscess ruptures, the wound may continue to leak pus and become a chronic sore. Mites, on the other hand, burrow under the skin and cannot be seen. B Gone White Line Treatment works by stopping pathogens from further damaging healthy hoof wall tissue. They can cause inflammation of the brain in both equines and humans. Treatment includes the use of anti-coccidial agents, such as ponazuril, and NSAIDs. Laminitis may develop gradually, with the only sign being laminitis rings on the hooves, or it could be associated with seasonal turnout to pasture, and present as severe recurrent painful laminitis. Sarcoids can be found on any part of the body but they are most common around the head, eyes, groin, midline, and, axilla (underarms). Colic refers to the symptom of abdominal pain, rather than a specific disease. It is important to identify the cause, removing the source of pain where applicable. There are several species of mites that affect donkeys, Signs of mite infestations are severe itching, possibly causing the donkey to rub against objects, stamp their feet, or bite at themselves. So keep a close eye on them! (Back to the top), A cataract is an increased density or opacity of an eye’s lens, reducing the transmission of light to the retina. (Back to the top). (Back to the top). An owner's guide to preventing, recognising and treating white line disease (WLD, or seedy toe) in donkeys and mules. It is important to identify the cause, removing the source of pain where applicable. Maintaining good foot hygiene and regular foot care will help to prevent the occurrence of WLD. Strangles is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection caused by Streptococcus equi bacteria. Keep donkeys away from infected cows, sheep or goats and keep infected donkeys with openly draining fistulous withers separate from other residents. Antibiotics are also often given to help prevent additional infections. The new growth pushes the damaged … It is caused by the protozoa Sarcocystis neurona and occurs most commonly in the United States. If a source includes the (Non-Compassionate Source) tag, it means that we do not endorse that particular source’s views about animals, even if some of their insights are valuable from a care perspective. Bacterial infections and trauma to the eye can also cause conjunctivitis. As if biting insects weren’t troublesome enough for donkeys, it is possible that donkey residents may have a hypersensitivity or “sweet itch” to insect bites. (Back to the top). It isn’t uncommon to see hoof cracks in donkeys, especially those that were used for work or who were neglected. Donkey&Mule Info Nutrition/Management Behavior/Tack Management Breeding/Reproduction Blood Chemistry/Disease Stories/Articles The Donkey Sanctuary Articles Ask your mule or donkey question; Shop Membership Online Mule/Donkey Registration LEVA/SSA As such, they have different nutrient requirements with significantly lower energy and protein needs when compared with horses. Some are crusty and wart-like and cause hair-loss and thickened skin around the lesion. There are several commercial, topical ointments that have shown great success in addition to debridement. Affected animals may display circling or head-pressing behaviors and show signs of impaired vision, muscle twitches, inability to swallow, paralysis, convulsions, and fever. When the bursa is fistulated or draining, most treatments include removing any involved tissues and flushing the area with dilute betadine or other solutions. White Line Disease is a widening of the white line, or a separation of the hoof wall from the sole. Feed – sudden changes to diet, poor quality food, too much grass, feeding cereals: Make any dietary changes gradually over at least a week, ideally 2-4 weeks. In these cases it is vital that all the affected horn is removed to ensure the acrylic material bonds to healthy horn. More often, accesses form in the hoof or under the skin where the pressure often builds up, rupturing the abscess. If the bursa is un-ruptured and not draining, treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents is recommended. If you are new to caring for donkeys, you may think they are like small horses and act similarly. Common signs of fistulous withers are swelling, pain, and heat, but can also include fever, lethargy and stiffness. Treatment of white line disease is greatly dependent upon the severity and progression. Pergolide may interfere with a donkey’s appetite in the first few weeks. Sarcoids are common skin tumors and can be problematic to treat. In these case, the infection can grow into the deep tissues. It first appears as a crack or cavity which appears between the white line and the surface of the hoof. Grass cracks start at the bottom of the hoof and crack upwards, while sand cracks start at the coronary band and crack downwards. (Back to the top), Cystitis or urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in equines. Dirt will only push the crack further apart. Various types of colic may present differently, and they are often assessed on the basis of history, pain, heart rate, respiratory rate, gut sounds, and other clinical exam findings. They will also have lesions with greasy, scaly skin and hair loss. This ultimately causes increased quantities of hormones to be released from the gland. Etiology WLD can affect a horse of any age, sex, or breed. You may notice a donkey frequently attempting to urinate or notice blood in their urine. Because PPID also affect body fat and muscle, a donkey may present with a “potbelly” and lethargy. This allows the horses’ coronary band, where new hoof wall tissue forms, to grow out at the rate of 1/4" to 5/8” per month. (Back to the top). In severe cases, your farrier should work with a veterinarian to make sure that the work does not cause any instability to the hoof. Paring away the damaged horn reveals separation of the hoof layers leading upward from the toe toward the coronary band. If a donkey resident does have EMS, you will want to limit sugars and starches in their diet. Join our mailing list to receive the latest resources from The Open Sanctuary Project! Be sure to wear gloves and dispose of these as well, and wash up thoroughly before coming into contact with other donkeys or horses. Conjunctivitis is a non-specific symptom or response of the eye to injury. Some cataracts are congenital, while others are acquired. It is also referred to as “seedy toe”. Complete hoof avulsions have a poor prognosis. Make sure you dispose of any material that comes into contact with them as hazardous material. like, and when you should be concerned. Pigeon fever is an infectious disease affecting donkeys and horses. By conducting regular full body health examinations, you’ll be able to know what healthy looks and feels (and smells!) Unfortunately for the humans looking out for them, donkeys don’t tend to show any signs that they’re sick until it can’t be hidden any longer, usually resulting in much more intensive treatment than an early diagnosis would have led to. It can infect any equid, and some donkeys may not show any symptoms but can still be a source of infection for other animals. If a donkey or horse remains in a rainy environment, the dorsal (back) surfaces may become soaked with rain, increasing the likelihood of contracting rain scald. Thus, excellent results in curing white line disease are the norm. In some circumstances it may be necessary to take an x-ray before removing a large amount of hoof wall to check the stability of the pedal bone. Thrush is prevented by keeping a donkey’s feet clean and dry as much as possible. transform the quality of life of donkeys in the UK and abroad. 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