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Toxicology
Veterinary

Poisoning in donkeys

02 January 2023
Clinical
23 mins read
02 January 2023
Volume 7 · Issue 1
Figure 5. Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and chronic grazing can cause liver failure.
Figure 5. Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids and chronic grazing can cause liver failure.

Abstract

Poisoning in donkeys is occasionally reported, but most of the information on clinical signs and management is based on horses. Donkeys are most likely to be affected by toxic substances in their environment such as poisonous plants and pesticides. Cases of plant poisoning in donkeys have been reported, caused by yew, oleander, oak, Brunfelsia and plants containing hypoglycin A (such as sycamore), cyanogenic glycosides (such as cherry laurel) or pyrrolizidine alkaloids (such as ragwort or rattlepods). In many cases of acute plant poisoning, sudden death is the presenting sign. Pesticide poisoning risks include metaldehyde slug bait and anticoagulant rodenticides. Care should be taken when examining and treating donkeys because of differences in their behaviour, vital signs, laboratory parameters and therapeutics. Donkey-specific resources should be used. Treatment in most cases of poisoning in donkeys is supportive, with management of clinical signs and attempting to reduce progression of toxicosis, removal from exposure, and specific antidote administration where available, practical and clinically appropriate.

Just as with horses, donkeys are at risk of poisoning from plants and substances in their environment, such as pesticides. Although more information is available on poisoning in horses, cases of toxicosis in donkeys are reported.

When performing a clinical assessment on a donkey it is important to take into account their specific behaviour and not view them as small horses. Blood biochemistry, haematology and vital signs in donkeys are different to those of horses and specific reference resources should be consulted (Olmos et al, 2011; Burden and Thiemann, 2015; Haines and Goliszek, 2019; Box 1). Signs of pain, for example, can be subtle in donkeys and may be missed. Pain assessment scales specific for donkeys are available and can be used to monitor pain and improve welfare (van Dierendonck et al., 2020). Donkeys are also prone to hyperlipaemia and there are numerous risk factors (Burden et al., 2011); ill or stressed donkeys must be monitored for hyperlipaemia which can progress rapidly and must be treated promptly (Box 1). Hyperlipaemia is a common complication of almost any primary disease in donkeys and worsens the prognosis (Archer et al, 2021). In addition, it is important to remember that donkeys may become stressed when separated from a bonded companion and this may contribute to behavioural changes and clinical signs.

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poisoning
toxicology
plant poisoning
donkeys
metaldehyde poisoning
anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning