Sedation, anaesthesia and analgesia of the donkey

Anaesthesia and analgesia of donkeys presents a challenge as there are a number of species specific differences in physiology, behaviour and response to drugs in comparison with horses, and the scientific literature is limited. Donkeys generally have a stoic nature and assessment of pain can pose a real challenge as they often do not display the signs of pain behaviour that may be observed in horses [1]. Recently specific potential indicators of pain in working donkeys with obvious sign of injury have been described [2]. Pain in donkeys is not only a major welfare concern but alongside stress and inappetance can contribute to hyperlipidaemia, which has a high mortality rate in this species [3]. The stress of hospitalisation may be reduced by housing the donkey with a companion. Assessment of hydration status can be difficult in donkeys as the gastrointestinal tract acts as a reservoir of fluid and clinical signs may not be apparent until dehydration becomes severe ...