Equine Review: March–April 2023

In comparison to horses, exploratory laparotomy is infrequently performed in the UK for the treatment of colic in donkeys and there is little published data in the literature regarding survival and complication rates.

In a recent multicentre retrospective study, Merridale-Punter et al (2023) reported findings and outcomes in 33 UK donkeys undergoing emergency exploratory laparotomy. Despite having a surgical lesion, only 53% of donkeys presented with colic signs, with the remaining 47% showing non-specific signs such as inappetence or lethargy. Furthermore, only 25% were referred within 12 hours of the onset of clinical signs, with 30% referred after >72 hours duration.

A broad range of lesions were described, with primary small intestine (43%) and primary large intestine (39%) lesions being the most common. Impactions or intraluminal obstructions were common, accounting for 25% of the lesions found. Five (15%) donkeys were euthanised in theatre and a further 10 (30%) died or were euthanised after surgery, resulting in a 55% survival rate to discharge. Of the analysed variables, only increasing age was associated with an increased likelihood of death (1. 18, P=0. 02). Postoperative complications occurred in 82% of donkeys and included hyperlipaemia, incisional complications, intravenous catheter complications, ileus and colic. Of the 28 donkeys that recovered from the initial surgery, six underwent a second exploratory laparotomy, of which four survived. Limitations of the study included the small sample size and retrospective nature, but the authors concluded that donkeys undergoing emergency exploratory laparotomy have a lower rate of survival to discharge than horses. They were also likely to show a wide range of presenting clinical signs, which may result in delayed referrals for surgery.