References
Endoparasite control for donkeys in the UK
Abstract
The prevalence of endoparasites, their control and clinical relevance in donkeys can often cause confusion and concern to vets and owners alike. While donkeys can be affected by the same parasite species as horses, infection characteristics, presenting signs and symptoms of disease can differ. Donkeys do not always show obvious signs of disease until it is severe so it is important to know what to look out for when clinically assessing a donkey and how best to diagnose potential infection with parasites. There is a limited selection of anthelmintic products available for use in the donkey, so prescribing using the cascade is sometimes warranted. Careful consideration should be given to the choice and frequency of anthelmintic treatments in order to balance controlling disease with preserving anthelmintic efficacy.
There are over 10,000 donkeys in the UK. The majority are kept as companion animals in pairs or small groups. While similar guidelines for strategic and evidence-based deworming should be followed as in horses, it is useful to be aware of the differences when designing endoparasite control programmes for donkeys.
A recent study that looked at the level of preventive care in 596 donkeys admitted to a sanctuary over 30 months, found only 21% had received any anthelmintic treatment in the previous 12 months (Barrio Fernandez et al, 2020). This was despite more than 80% of the donkeys having strongyle egg counts of more than 300 eggs per gram (epg). Other aspects of preventative care were also found to be quite poor, with low rates of vaccination and routine dentistry (Barrio Fernandez et al, 2020). These areas could therefore provide a good starting point for vets working with donkeys and their owners.
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