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Clinical abnormalities in working donkeys and their associations with behaviour
F H Regan Nee Ashley1, J Hockenhull1, J C Pritchard2
1School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol , North Somerset , UK.
Veterinary Record Open
|September 23, 2015
Summary
Working donkeys frequently show clinical abnormalities linked to pain behaviors. Recognizing these specific behaviors can help assess pain and guide treatment for improved donkey welfare.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Animal Welfare
- Equine Health
Background:
- Working donkeys are susceptible to numerous acute and chronic health issues.
- Accurate pain assessment in donkeys is crucial for effective care and treatment by owners and animal health professionals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of various clinical abnormalities in a sample of working donkeys.
- To investigate associations between identified abnormalities and behavioral indicators of pain.
Main Methods:
- 133 adult male working donkeys were observed for behavior using a refined ethogram before and after a rest period.
- Veterinary assessment identified specific clinical abnormalities in each donkey.
- Behavioral data and clinical findings were analyzed for correlations.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of clinical abnormalities was observed in the working donkey population.
- Significant associations exist between specific behaviors and systemic, ocular, and limb abnormalities.
- Limb-related pain in donkeys correlated with behaviors like leg trembling, knuckling, and weight shifting, and reduced even weight distribution.
Conclusions:
- Specific behavioral changes correlate with clinical abnormalities in working donkeys, aiding pain assessment.
- These behavioral indicators, alongside general demeanor changes, can help evaluate pain presence and severity.
- The findings support using behavioral observation for monitoring donkey health and response to interventions.
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