Intrinsic characteristics of donkeys that affect drug treatment

Donkeys have contributed to the development and livelihoods of humans for almost 7,000 years. They have been used for traction and transportation, kept as pets, utilized in animal-assisted therapies, or farmed as food-producing animals. Over the past two decades, significant progress has been made in bridging the knowledge gap in veterinary medicine between donkeys and horses. Veterinary practitioners are now more aware that donkeys have important behavioral, anatomical, and physiological characteristics that distinguish them from horses. These peculiarities should be considered when treating donkeys. For instance, donkeys are highly efficient in compartmentalizing and conserving water and metabolizing xenobiotics via cytochrome P450 enzymes. This affects the selection of drugs and their dosages. Estimating live weight and recognising and assessing pain accurately are also important factors when instituting pharmacological treatments for donkeys. Therapeutic regimens have been established for some drugs in donkeys, but many are still directly extrapolated from horses. Because donkeys are classified as a minor species, there are relatively few medications approved for their use. In addition, some cultures also consider donkeys as to have lower economic value than horses, which may preclude donkeys from receiving appropriate veterinary care. Veterinary education on donkey-specific topics would improve the health and ultimately the welfare of these animals. This review explores the characteristics of donkeys and offers guidance on their care and treatment, aiming to enhance their overall quality of life.