Don't Forget About the Donkeys (and Mules)!

By Glynis Tant BVMS

As the stoic, hardy, intelligent and generally long-lived portion of the equine class, donkeys and mules have long been used as companions animals, livestock guardians, working stock, and much more. However, our hardy friends are frequently forgotten when it comes to routine veterinary care and maintenance.

Comparable to their horse counterparts, donkeys and mules need care to ensure a happy, healthy, and comfortable life.

Vaccinations: Annual Core Vaccinations (Tetanus, Rabies, West nile, Encephalitis) Risk-based vaccinations, such as Flu/Rhino, Leptospirosis, etc, are recommended.. Oakhurst Equine recommends discussing the risks/benefits with your veterinarian based on housing and region for which vaccinations are appropriate for your donkey/mule.

Dentals: Even though the majority of donkeys and mules will not be bitted throughout their life, they still need routine dental examinations and floats prophylactically. It is recommended to have yearly exams, with sedation and a speculum, to assess your animal's oral health.

Parasite Control: Our long eared friends are susceptible to the same parasites as horses. We should manage this in a similar manner with 1-2x yearly fecal worm egg counts, then deworming accordingly. An important difference to note; donkeys are asymptomatic hosts for lung worms and may contribute to increased lung worm burdens in our pastures.

Weight Management: Donkeys and mules tend to be very easy keepers and are prone to obesity, on the other hand we can see some underweight donkeys. Routine body condition evaluations are valuable to help monitor weight and health. Fat deposits over the neck, back, and rump are a great indicator that your donkey/mule is putting on just a little too much weight and may need a dietary adjustment or metabolic bloodwork. Typically, donkeys and mules only require good quality, low sugar/starch roughage in the form of hay. A ration balancer such as Purina’s Enrich Plus can be used to ensure all of their vitamin and mineral requirements are met, in lieu of grain or other concentrates. If pastures are available, grazing should be controlled, especially on lush grass. This may be healthily managed by track grazing or the use of grazing muzzles.

Hoof Management: Donkey’s and mule’s feet are extremely efficient in absorbing moisture from their surrounding environment. In rainy and wet regions, like the PNW, this can lead to problems such as white line disease or painful abscesses. Routine foot care is an essential yet often forgotten part for our friends. Routine farriery every 6-10 weeks and daily hoof picking will help prevent or recognize any developing complicated hoof issues.

A few notable differences between horses and donkeys/mules.

Companionship: Donkeys, in particular, form strong bonds within their social groups and companions. A solitary life is not recommended. It is extremely important to have a friend around to allow the development of social relationships.

A Few Helpful Medical Pointers:

Donkey’s and mule’s respond to pain differently than their horse counterparts and are generally more stoic, their pain may be less evident and harder to detect. They may require higher or higher frequencies of sedatives, pain relievers, and anesthetics in order to help manage their pain.

A change in behavior or dull behavior, lethargy or a decreased appetite may end up being more of a clinical emergency since they are so tough. Compared to horses, donkeys (occasionally mules) are increasingly prone to developing hyperlipemia, a potential life-threatening medical condition of an excessive buildup of lipids or fats in their blood.

Donkeys are at increased risk and have a tendency to bleed more than normal during castrations. This is especially true for anyone over 4 years of age, they are at increased risk. Our veterinarians highly recommended that, for older animals, these procedures be performed in a controlled environment such as at the clinic, a hospital, or surgical facility.

Unlike horses, donkeys do not grow thick, winter coats which will make them more sensitive to the cold. Having roughage (hay) available throughout the cold months can help them produce heat. A sturdy and safe shelter from the elements, such as wind and rain, is recommended to help them through the tough, rainy season.

Contact Oakhurst Equine to have your donkey or mule scheduled for an exam or dental ~ your four footed friend will thank you! 503-554-0227