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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Cross-sectional study to identify the prevalence of and fact...
Equine veterinary journal2021; doi: 10.1111/evj.13505

Cross-sectional study to identify the prevalence of and factors associated with laminitis in UK donkeys.

Abstract: Laminitis causes lameness in donkeys, but its prevalence and factors associated with disease remain uncertain. Objective: To determine the prevalence of and identify factors associated with laminitis in donkeys. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: All donkeys at the Donkey Sanctuary, UK, October 2015 to March 2019 were included. For animals that had laminitis during this period, age, sex, weight, body condition score, and the onset date and type of each episode (first or recurrent, acute or chronic) were recorded. Additionally, management data, foot lesion score, endocrine data, other medical conditions, occurrence of foot trimming, surgical procedures, diagnostic imaging, behavioural modification therapy or movement between farms within the month prior were noted. Controls were animals that did not experience laminitis during this period and similar data were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression modelling assessed the differences between the control group and laminitis outcome groups (first, all laminitis, acute and chronic episodes). Results: Altogether, 707 animals were included; 364 were control animals; 343 had a first episode of laminitis during the study period, of which 200/343 had no further episodes and 143/343 had recurrent episodes resulting in a total of 512 laminitis episodes and the period prevalence was 48.5% over 42 months. Overall, 180/512 (35%) laminitis episodes were acute and 332/512 (65%) were chronic. Compared with control animals, the laminitic outcome groups were significantly (P < .05) more likely to be younger (first episode), less likely to get extra feed (all four groups) or have an additional medical problem (first episode), and less likely to have undergone dental work, movement, imaging (all four groups) or surgery (first; all laminitis, chronic episodes) in the month preceding the episode. Conclusions: These results may not be applicable to the wider donkey population. Conclusions: Laminitis commonly affects donkeys, but factors associated with donkey laminitis differ from those reported in horses.
© 2021 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2021-09-03 PubMed ID: 34478179DOI: 10.1111/evj.13505Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 study investigates how common laminitis (a painful condition causing lameness) is in donkeys in UK and what factors may be associated with it.

Research methodology

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study, looking back at records from October 2015 to March 2019.
  • The study covered all donkeys at the Donkey Sanctuary in the UK.
  • The researchers gathered data on all animals that had laminitis during this period, including their age, sex, weight, body condition score, and details of each laminitis episode like onset date and whether it was first or recurrent, acute or chronic.
  • Additional data was collected about management practices, such as the presence of foot lesions, endocrine data, other medical conditions, occurrence of foot trimming, surgical procedures, diagnostic imaging, behavioural therapy and movement between farms in the month before the onset of laminitis.
  • The control group included animals that did not suffer from laminitis during this period but had similar data collected.
  • The differences between the laminitic and non-laminitic groups were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression modelling.

Results

  • The study comprised 707 animals in total; 364 were controls and 343 had a first episode of laminitis during the study period.
  • From the laminitis group, 200 had no further episodes, while 143 had recurrent episodes, leading to a total of 512 laminitis episodes over 42 months.
  • The prevalence of laminitis in the population studied was 48.5% – revealing the condition is quite common among sanctuary donkeys. 180 cases were classified as acute and 332 as chronic indicating a higher prevalence of chronic laminitis.
  • Compared to controls, donkeys with laminitis were more likely to be younger (for a first episode), less likely to get extra feeding, have an additional health problem (for a first episode) and fewer had undergone dental work, movement, imaging (all laminitis groups) or surgery (first and chronic episode groups) in the month preceding laminitis onset.

Conclusions

  • The study reveals that the factors associated with donkey laminitis differ from those reported in horses, highlighting the need for separate therapeutic approaches for donkeys and horses with laminitis.
  • However, the conclusions drawn may not be applicable to all donkeys since this study was conducted in a single sanctuary setting and the sample may not be representative of the wider donkey population.

Cite This Article

APA
Menzies-Gow NJ, Wakeel F, Little H, Buil J, Rickards K. (2021). Cross-sectional study to identify the prevalence of and factors associated with laminitis in UK donkeys. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13505

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Menzies-Gow, Nicola J
  • Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, UK.
Wakeel, Frederica
  • Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, UK.
Little, Holly
  • The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, UK.
Buil, Jesus
  • The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, UK.
Rickards, Karen
  • The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, UK.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Merridale-Punter MS, Wiethoelter AK, El-Hage CM, Hitchens PL. Prevalence and Factors Associated with Working Equid Lameness in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 10;12(22).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12223100pubmed: 36428328google scholar: lookup
  2. Masebo NT, Benedetti B, Angeloni MG, Lee L, Bigi D, Padalino B. Systematic Literature Review on Donkeys (Equus asinus): Husbandry and Welfare in Europe. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 23;15(19).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15192768pubmed: 41096364google scholar: lookup
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