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Herd Health for Miniature Donkeys
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Introduction
This is an overview of the herd health procedures applicable to miniature donkeys and horses. It includes information about deworming programs, nutrition, housing, vaccinations, and routine dentistry. Herd health for miniature horses is similar to that for full size equines. Miniature donkeys have some key differences from horses.
Equine vaccines and deworming medications may be used on miniature horses and donkeys with some restrictions. Very little research has been performed in either of these areas. Overfeeding and subsequent obesity are common problems with both miniature donkeys and horses. Bite abnormalities are relatively common in miniature equines. Routine dentistry is carried out in a similar fashion as for full size equines.
Intestinal Parasite Control
Parasites that affect miniature equines are similar to those that affect their full size relatives. These include Nematodes (large and small strongyles, ascarids, pinworms, and bots) and Cestodes (tapeworms). Basic principles of parasite control are the same as for larger equines. Medications used with success in miniature equines include fenbendazole, ivermectin, albendazole, and pyrantel pamoate.
Lungworms. In addition, animals in certain areas of the country are affected also by lungworms. These areas are not well defined. Donkeys are the natural hosts for lungworms and as such do not show obvious signs of disease when infected. The incidence of donkey infestation is also not known. Mules are reported to be relatively unaffected by lungworm infestation, similar to donkeys. Horses, however, may be severely affected, exhibiting coughing and wheezing. Lungworms should be suspected if horses are pastured with donkeys or mules. Definitive diagnosis is made by demonstrating the presence of Dictyocaulis arnfeldi larvae in fresh feces. Treatment is oral treatment with ivermectin, with a repeat treatment in three weeks.
Other strategies of parasite control, including pasture rotation, removal of manure, and deworming of new herd additions, apply to miniature equines. Success of and need for deworming medications should be measured by periodic fecal examinations. The author recommends the sugar centrifugation technique of fecal analysis.
Vaccinations
Miniature donkeys and horses are usually vaccinated with the same products as full size equines with the same frequencies. There have been no conclusive studies regarding the effectiveness or safety of the equine products in the miniature species. The author was involved in a limited vaccination trial with a small number of miniature donkeys (unpublished study). Titers were evaluated for vaccination with eastern and western encephalitis, equine herpes virus 1 and 4, equine influenza virus type A1 and A2, and Potomac horse fever (PHF). Results were inconclusive. Donkeys did respond to these vaccines in the majority of instances as demonstrated by increasing titers, except for the specific vaccine used for Potomac horse fever. Only one brand of vaccine was used, and the author still recommends vaccination against PHF in at risk geographical locations.
Some owners and veterinarians have suggested that miniature equines should be vaccinated with reduced doses of the standard equine vaccines. The author does not recommend this practice as there is no scientific evidence for it and in fact the lower dose may not stimulate the immune system sufficiently to provide a protective response. No vaccine challenge studies have been or are likely to be performed in miniature equines. Since 100 pound equine foals and 2000 pound draft horses are given the same dose of vaccine, the author recommends full standard equine vaccine doses for miniatures. The specific vaccines used should be selected based upon the disease risks in a particular location and the risk of infection from new arrivals and exposure at shows. This is particularly from the equine respiratory diseases. Also, no data is available regarding the incidence of equine herpes virus abortion in miniature equines. The practice of vaccinating miniatures during pregnancy must therefore be questioned. Some owners have reported a relatively high incidence of side effects from some of these vaccines and that their use has caused abortions. The author questions this statement, as he is not aware of any actual investigations that have been performed post-abortion to prove this theory.
The author has very limited experience with the use of vaccines against West Nile Virus, and no experience with those for Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis and Equine Protozoal Myelitis in miniature equines. An anecdotal report from one veterinarian in the Northeastern United States revealed the West Nile Virus Vaccine to be non-reactive in miniature horses. Anecdotal reports from two miniature donkey owners in the Midwest revealed minimal side effects from the same vaccine. It is unlikely that any manufacturer will test the effectiveness of any of these vaccines in miniature equines as has not been done with any other vaccines. Their use should also be considered experimental from a safety perspective until more field use has been documented.
Feeding Practices
The basic necessities of clean, fresh water, trace mineral salt, and a source of dietary fiber and calories in the form of hay or pasture apply to miniature equines. The protein requirements of full size equines may be safely applied to miniatures. The actual nutritional requirements of miniature donkeys and horses have not been established. It is reasonable to apply the full size equine data to miniature horses, but this may not apply at all to donkeys. Their feral origin has provided for subsistence on low quality forages.
Overfeeding. Overfeeding is the most common mistake as far as caloric supplementation in miniature equines. This leads to obesity (Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B, and Fig. 1C) and the associated risks including infertility, dystocia, and laminitis. Donkeys in particular are very efficient feeders and will easily become obese if allowed free access to top quality hay or pasture. Feeding of grain will compound the problem with the addition of even more calorie dense foods. For sure, miniatures will readily consume grains of all types, but their use should be restricted to under weight animals, lactating and late pregnant females, and growing foals less than one year of age. Owners should carefully monitor the body condition of these animals and adjust their caloric intake accordingly.
Figure 1A. Obese Jennet. Note thick neck crest (1) and fat deposits along the upper back (2).
Figure 1B. Obese Jennet with excessive fat deposits in the crest.
Figure 1C. Obese Jennet with fat deposits evident over the gluteal region.
Vitamin E and Selenium Supplementation. Vitamin E and selenium supplementation has received much attention in both miniature horses and donkeys, just as in full size horses. The requirements have not been established in miniatures, and the author knows of no reports of disease associated with underfeeding or excessive supplementation of these elements. It is reasonable to use full size equine guidelines from The National Research Council (NRC) in miniatures. It is important to avoid overfeeding of trace minerals and vitamins in miniatures as their use should be scaled down for the reduced body weight.
Undernutrition. Undernutrition may also be a problem in miniatures especially if they are turned out with full size equines (Fig. 2). This of course depends on the temperament of the animals involved and the physical pace allowed for access to food. Overcrowding results in undernutrition in the smaller for least aggressive animals and overfeeding of those at the top of the size or social order. These factors must not be overlooked. Owners should be counseled to constantly evaluate the body condition of their animals and respond accordingly. This is especially important in the winter in cold climates.
Figure 2. Emaciated gelding recovering from malnutrition and pressure sores. He was kept inside in the winter with a full size horse and 3 other donkeys and fed insufficient feed.
Dentistry
Routine dental care for miniature donkeys is very similar to that for full size equines. Small sized dental floats are available for use in these animals. Bite abnormalities are relatively common in both miniature donkeys and horses. These are the result of the lack of genetic diversity in these species and the reluctance of breeders to remove animals with improper bites from their breeding programs. When size and sales become the overriding considerations, conformation may suffer. Both over and underbites are common (Fig. 3A). These result in problems primarily with the incisor teeth, but severe abnormalities may also affect the cheek teeth. Dwarfism is also relatively common in miniatures, and this may also result in bite abnormalities (Fig. 3B). The need for corrective dentistry is especially important in these animals. It is very worthwhile to try to educate owners on the importance of making sound breeding decisions with the long-term goals of the animals as the major deciding factor.
Figure 3A. Juvenile miniature donkey with an underbite.
Figure 3B. Miniature horse with severe underbite. This animal also demonstrated other characteristics of dwarfism.
Summary
Routine herd health practices for miniature donkeys and horses are similar to those for full size horses with the exceptions noted above. More work needs to be performed in the areas of vaccination safety and effectiveness for miniature donkeys. Sound breeding decisions are important to prevent conformational faults from adversely affecting the health of miniature donkeys just as in other breeds of livestock.
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Hutchins B and Hutchins P, eds. The Definitive Donkey, A Textbook on the Modern Ass. Hee Haw Book Service, 1999.
Svendsen ED, ed. The Professional Handbook of the Donkey. Whittet Books, 1997. - Available from amazon.com -
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Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
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