FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(2); 129; doi: 10.3390/ani15020129

Abdominal Ultrasonography in Healthy Female Standard Donkeys.

Abstract: Knowledge of the normal ultrasound anatomy in the donkey is essential to understand pathological changes and to reach an early diagnosis, considering the "dullness" and stoicism of these animals in pain manifestations. The aims of this study were to document which abdominal viscera could be identified using a transcutaneous ultrasonography technique under field conditions in unsedated, standing donkeys to determine where the different abdominal structures could be easily displayed and to describe any variation that occurred between different donkeys and horses. In this work, the manual technique for performing an ultrasound of the abdominal organs in a donkey is described, including acoustic windows. In addition, several measurements were performed and correlated with the age and weight of the animal to find possible variations. For several of the abdominal viscera, donkeys were found to have similarities with horses, but some differences were found, mostly related to kidney size and the technique for liver visualization. The wall thickness of the colon was confirmed as higher compared to horses, while other intestinal tracts were found to be comparable. A correlation between body weight and organ measurements was only found for the length of both kidneys.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-01-08 PubMed ID: 39858129PubMed Central: PMC11759136DOI: 10.3390/ani15020129Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research is about understanding the normal ultrasound anatomy of a donkey’s abdominal area. The study documents which of these internal organs can effectively be identified using an ultrasonic technique and also presents the variations found in different donkeys and compared to horses.

Overview of the Study

  • This study focused on using transcutaneous ultrasonography, a technique that uses ultrasound to visualize internal organs, to identify and examine various abdominal viscera in donkeys. The research was conducted under field conditions without sedating the animals.
  • The purpose of the study was to determine the most appropriate locations and procedures for displaying different abdominal structures, as well as to identify any variances that occur between different donkeys or between donkeys and horses. This will help in the early diagnosis and comprehension of pathological changes considering the stoic nature of donkeys when in pain.

Methodology and Findings

  • The study detailed the manual procedure for conducting an ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs in a donkey, and provided information about the “acoustic windows,” which are the best locations for effectively visualizing specific organs.
  • Several measures were performed in the study, which were then cross-referenced with the age and weight of the animal to find any possible variations. The aim was to identify any correlations or relationships between these data.
  • The results showed that the sizes of several abdominal organs in donkeys were similar to those in horses. However, there were marked differences when it came to the kidney size and the technique required for visualizing the liver.

Key Discoveries

  • The study confirmed the wall thickness of a donkey’s colon is higher when compared to that of a horse, whereas the dimensions of other intestinal parts were found to be comparable.
  • A clear correlation was found between an animal’s body weight and the length of its kidneys.

Cite This Article

APA
Accorroni L, Bazzano M, Marchegiani A, Spaterna A, Laus F. (2025). Abdominal Ultrasonography in Healthy Female Standard Donkeys. Animals (Basel), 15(2), 129. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15020129

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 2
PII: 129

Researcher Affiliations

Accorroni, Lucrezia
  • School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy.
Bazzano, Marilena
  • School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy.
Marchegiani, Andrea
  • School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy.
Spaterna, Andrea
  • School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy.
Laus, Fulvio
  • School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

This article includes 34 references
  1. Freeman S. Ultrasonography of the Equine Abdomen: Techniques and Normal Findings. A A Pract 2002;24:204–211.
    doi: 10.1136/inpract.24.4.204google scholar: lookup
  2. Scharner D, Rötting A, Gerlach K, Rasch K, Freeman D.E. Ultrasonography of the Abdomen in the Horse with Colic. Clin. Tech. Equine Pract 2002;1:118–124.
    doi: 10.1053/ctep.2002.35579google scholar: lookup
  3. Corrie S, Chapman K, Schofield I, Mair T.S. Preliminary Study to Evaluate the Use of Fast Abdominal Ultrasonography of Horses with Colic in First Opinion Ambulatory Practice. Equine Vet. Educ 2024;36:571–578.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.13940google scholar: lookup
  4. Szewczyk D, Fiega J, Michalska M, Żurek U, Lubaszka Z, Sikorska E. Therapeutic Role of Animals: A Comprehensive Literature Review on the Prevalent Forms and Species in Animal-Assisted Interventions. J. Educ. Health Sport 2023;45:215–235.
    doi: 10.12775/JEHS.2023.45.01.015google scholar: lookup
  5. Epstein K, Short D, Parente E, Reef V, Southwood L. Gastrointestinal Ultrasonography in Normal Adult Ponies. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 2008;49:282–286.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2008.00367.xpubmed: 18546787google scholar: lookup
  6. El-Deeb W, Fayez M, Elsohaby I, Mkrtchyan H.V, Alhaider A. Changes in Blood Biomarkers in Arabian Horses with Clostridium Difficile-Induced Enterocolitis. Comp. Immunol. Microbiol. Infect. Dis 2020;73:101525.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101525pubmed: 32877870google scholar: lookup
  7. Hendrickson E.H.S, Malone E.D, Sage A.M. Identification of Normal Parameters for Ultrasonographic Examination of the Equine Large Colon and Cecum. Can. Vet. J 2007;48:289.
    pmc: PMC1800949pubmed: 17436906
  8. Ibrahim H.M.M, El-Ashker M.R. Reference Values and Repeatability of Transabdominal Ultrasonographic Gastrointestinal Tract Thickness and Motility in Healthy Donkeys (Equus Asinus). J. Equine Vet. Sci 2020;92:103153.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103153pubmed: 32797781google scholar: lookup
  9. Laus F, Paggi E, Marchegiani A, Cerquetella M, Spaziante D, Faillace V, Tesei B. Ultrasonographic Biometry of the Eyes of Healthy Adult Donkeys. Vet. Rec 2014;174:326.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.101436pubmed: 24603466google scholar: lookup
  10. Martini M, Altomonte I, Licitra R, Salari F. Nutritional and Nutraceutical Quality of Donkey Milk. J. Equine Vet. Sci 2018;65:33–37.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.10.020google scholar: lookup
  11. Martini M, Altomonte I, Manica E, Salari F. Changes in Donkey Milk Lipids in Relation to Season and Lactation. J. Food Compos. Anal 2015;41:30–34.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jfca.2014.12.019google scholar: lookup
  12. Laus F, Laghi L, Bazzano M, Cifone M.G, Cinque B, Yang Y, Marchegiani A. Donkey Colostrum and Milk: How Dietary Probiotics Can Affect Metabolomic Profile, Alkaline Sphingomyelinase and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity. Metabolites 2023;13:622.
    doi: 10.3390/metabo13050622pmc: PMC10223555pubmed: 37233663google scholar: lookup
  13. Sgorbini M, Veronesi F, Fratini M, Laus F. Tick-Borne Diseases and Gastric Ulcer in the Donkey. J. Equine Vet. Sci 2018;65:62–65.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.12.014google scholar: lookup
  14. Busoni V, De Busscher V, Lopez D, Verwilghen D, Cassart D. Evaluation of a Protocol for Fast Localised Abdominal Sonography of Horses (FLASH) Admitted for Colic. Vet. J 2011;188:77–82.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.02.017pubmed: 20347357google scholar: lookup
  15. Thiemann A.K. Gastrointestinal Disorders in Donkeys. UK-Vet Equine 2024;8:66–74.
    doi: 10.12968/ukve.2024.8.2.66google scholar: lookup
  16. Thiemann A.K, Rickards K.J, Getachew M, Paraschou G. Equine Acute Abdomen. Wiley; Hoboken, NJ, USA: 2017. Colic in the Donkey; pp. 469–487.
    doi: 10.1002/9781119063254.CH38google scholar: lookup
  17. Bazzano M, Bonfili L, Eleuteri A.M, Serri E, Scollo C, Yaosen Y, Tesei B, Laus F. Assessment of Serum Amyloid A Concentrations and Biochemical Profiles in Lactating Jennies and Newborn Ragusano Donkey Foals around Parturition and One Month after Foaling in Sicily. Reprod. Domest. Anim 2022;57:262–268.
    doi: 10.1111/rda.14048pmc: PMC9300177pubmed: 34816505google scholar: lookup
  18. Laus F, Faillace V, Attili A.R, Spaterna A, Tesei B, Cuteri V. Conjunctival Bacterial and Fungal Flora in Healthy Donkeys in Central Italy. Large Anim. Rev 2016;22:137–142.
  19. Evans L., Crane M. In: The Clinical Companion of the Donkey. Evans L., Crane M., editors. The Donkey Sanctuary; Sidmouth, UK: 2018.
  20. Bowden A, England G.C.W, Brennan M.L, Mair T.S, Furness W.A, Freeman S.L, Burford J.H. Indicators of ‘Critical’ Outcomes in 941 Horses Seen ‘out-of-Hours’ for Colic. Vet. Rec 2020;187:492.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.105881pubmed: 32719081google scholar: lookup
  21. Lester G.D. Ultrasound of Adult Horses. Proceedings of the 63rd Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners San Antonio; San Antonio, TX, USA. 17–21 November 2017; pp. 357–363.
  22. Hussein H.A, Ibrahim A, Ali M.F, Abdel-Maksoud F.M. Development and Complications of Blind and Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Liver Biopsy Techniques in Donkeys (Equus Asinus). J. Equine Vet. Sci 2017;58:24–33.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.07.011google scholar: lookup
  23. Draper A.C.E, Bowen I.M, Hallowell G.D. Reference Ranges and Reliability of Transabdominal Ultrasonographic Renal Dimensions in Thoroughbred Horses. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 2012;53:336–341.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2011.01902.xpubmed: 22168823google scholar: lookup
  24. Beccati F, Pepe M, Gialletti R, Cercone M, Bazzica C, Nannarone S. Is There a Statistical Correlation between Ultrasonographic Findings and Definitive Diagnosis in Horses with Acute Abdominal Pain?. Equine Vet. J. Suppl 2011;43:98–105.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00428.xpubmed: 21790762google scholar: lookup
  25. Klohnen A, Vachon A.M, Fischer A.T. Use of Diagnostic Ultrasonography in Horses with Signs of Acute Abdominal Pain. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc 1996;209:1597–1601.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.1996.209.09.1597pubmed: 8899025google scholar: lookup
  26. Pease A.P, Scrivani P.V, Erb H.N, Cook V.L. Accuracy of Increased Large-Intestine Wall Thickness during Ultrasonography for Diagnosing Large-Colon Torsion in 42 Horses. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 2004;45:220–224.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2004.04038.xpubmed: 15200259google scholar: lookup
  27. Barton M.H. Understanding abdominal ultrasonography in horses: Which way is up. Compend. Contin. Educ. Pract. Vet 2011;33:E1–E7.
    pubmed: 21993992
  28. Bithell S, Habershon-Butcher J.L, Bowen I.M, Hallowell G.D. Repeatability and Reproducibility of Transabdominal Ultrasonographic Intestinal Wall Thickness Measurements in Thoroughbred Horses. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 2010;51:647–651.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2010.01715.xpubmed: 21158239google scholar: lookup
  29. Jerbi H, Rejeb A, Erdoǧan S, Pérez W. Anatomical and Morphometric Study of Gastrointestinal Tract of Donkey (Equus Africanus Asinus). J. Morphol. Sci 2014;31:18–22.
    doi: 10.4322/jms.ao055613google scholar: lookup
  30. Hussein H.A, Ibrahim A, Ali M.F. Ultrasonographic Reference Values of Kidney Dimensions and Clinicopathological Findings Associating the Transcutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Renal Biopsy in Donkeys (Equus asinus). J. Equine Vet. Sci 2018;68:1–11.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.04.001pubmed: 31256879google scholar: lookup
  31. Habershon-Butcher J, Bowen M, Hallowell G. Validation of a novel translumbar ultrasound technique for measuring renal dimensions in horses. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 2014;55:323–330.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.12112pubmed: 24118511google scholar: lookup
  32. Kirberger R.M, Berg JS V.D, Gottschalk R.D, Guthrie A.J. Duodenal ultrasonography in the normal adult horse. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 1995;36:50–56.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.1995.tb00212.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  33. Freeman S.L, Mason P.J, Staley C. Comparison of ultrasonographic and histologic assessment of normal and strangulating intestine in the horse. Eur. J. Ultrasound 2001;13:S5.
  34. Reef V.B. Equine Diagnostic Ultrasound. W.B. Saunders; Philadelphia, PA, USA: 1998. Adult abdominal ultrasonography.

Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Accorroni L, Marchegiani A, Bazzano M, Spaterna A, Laus F. Ultrasonographic Assessment of Teat Structures in Healthy Lactating Jennies: A Pilot Study Establishing Reference Values for Clinical Application. Vet Sci 2025 Nov 26;12(12).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12121123pubmed: 41472103google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,850 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.