Donkey and Mule｜10 Common Diseases (cause → signs → examination → treatment direction → prevention)

FAQ

What is hyperlipemia／hyperlipidemia syndrome (a severe condition particular to donkeys), and what should make you call the vet at once?

Once a donkey's appetite drops or feeding stops for any reason (pain, stress, another illness), body fat is rapidly mobilised into the blood beyond the liver's capacity to metabolise it, setting up a vicious circle. You will see anorexia, lethargy, jaundice and rapid deterioration. The direction of management is that this is an emergency requiring immediate veterinary care, with aggressive nutritional and metabolic support, and medication that must be prescribed. In the source chapter this row belongs to the group needing prompt attention; the actual judgement still rests with the veterinarian case by case, and this text gives no drug names or doses.

What is colic, and what should make you call the vet at once?

As for the horse (A); the mechanism is the same. You will see what you would see in the horse, but because donkeys are stoic by nature the outward signs may be milder and therefore underestimated. The direction of management is that this is an emergency requiring immediate veterinary care. In the source chapter this row belongs to the group needing prompt attention; the actual judgement still rests with the veterinarian case by case, and this text gives no drug names or doses.

What is laminitis, and what should make you call the vet at once?

As for the horse; the donkey's tendency to obesity makes the risk comparatively higher. You will see what you would see in the horse, but the donkey's stoic nature may delay detection. The direction of management is that this is an emergency requiring immediate veterinary care. In the source chapter this row belongs to the group needing prompt attention; the actual judgement still rests with the veterinarian case by case, and this text gives no drug names or doses.