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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Donkey and Hybrid Anaesthetic Mortality in an Observational,...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(13); 1880; doi: 10.3390/ani15131880

Donkey and Hybrid Anaesthetic Mortality in an Observational, Prospective, Multicentre Cohort Study.

Abstract: Equid anaesthetic mortality is of interest to practitioners. Data for donkey and hybrid mortality have not been specifically described. The main aim of this worldwide observational, prospective, multicentre cohort study was to report on mortality in the 7 days following a general anaesthetic or standing sedation in donkeys and hybrids. This study hypothesised that donkeys and hybrids would have higher mortalities compared to horses. Data were collected as part of the fourth Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Equine Fatalities (CEPEF4). A total of 825 cases were included, with 757 donkeys and 68 hybrids. Overall, 616 donkeys and 56 hybrids underwent a general anaesthetic. The overall mortality rate for general anaesthesia in donkeys was 1.0% and 3.6% in hybrids. In total, 141 standing sedations were performed in donkeys and 12 in hybrids. Mortality rates for standing sedations were lower, with the donkey mortality rate as 0.7%, and no hybrid mortality was seen. The mortality for donkeys for general anaesthesia appeared similar to the horse, whilst hybrid mortality was higher. COLIC vs. NON-COLIC DEATHs and EUTHANASIAs were also examined in the study. Mortality for standing sedations was lower compared to general anaesthesia. However, the numbers are too low to draw definitive conclusions; further investigation is required.
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Publication Date: 2025-06-25 PubMed ID: 40646777PubMed Central: PMC12248588DOI: 10.3390/ani15131880Google 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.

The research investigates the mortality rates of donkeys and hybrids that undergo general anesthesia or sedation procedures. It includes a multinational study and compares these mortality rates to those of horses.

Study Design and Hypothesis

  • The study was designed as an observational, prospective, multicentre cohort study conducted worldwide.
  • The researchers hypothesized that donkeys and hybrids (a cross between two different species) would exhibit higher mortality rates after a general anaesthetic or standing sedation in comparison to horses.

Data Collection and Participants

  • Data was collected as part of a larger veterinary study, the Fourth Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Equine Fatalities (CEPEF4).
  • The research included 825 cases, with 757 being donkeys and 68 hybrids.

Procedures and Results

  • The animals underwent either a general anaesthetic or standing sedation. Of the total cases, 616 donkeys and 56 hybrids received a general anaesthetic.
  • The overall mortality rate for donkeys having undergone general anesthesia was 1.0%, whereas it was 3.6% for hybrids.
  • There were fewer standing sedations performed with 141 donkeys and 12 hybrids undergoing this procedure. The mortality rate for standing sedations was lower. Donkeys had a mortality rate of 0.7%, while no hybrid mortalities were recorded in this category.

Comparison to Horses

  • It was noted that the mortality rate following general anesthesia in donkeys was similar to horses, while the mortality rate for hybrids was higher.

Additional Findings

  • The study also observed and differentiated between ‘colic vs. non-colic deaths’ and euthanasia cases. The mortality rate for standing sedations was lower than for general anaesthesia.
  • The researchers, however, mention that the low numbers make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions from these results. Therefore, they advise conducting further studies on this topic to gather more comprehensive and reliable data.

Cite This Article

APA
Boocock H, Flyps J, Escobar A, Redondo JI, Taylor PM, Gozalo-Marcilla M, Johnston GM, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R, Sullivan R. (2025). Donkey and Hybrid Anaesthetic Mortality in an Observational, Prospective, Multicentre Cohort Study. Animals (Basel), 15(13), 1880. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15131880

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 13
PII: 1880

Researcher Affiliations

Boocock, Hannah
  • Veterinary Department, The Donkey Sanctuary, Exeter EX14 9SU, UK.
Flyps, Jana
  • Department of Large Animal Surgery, Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics, University of Ghent, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Escobar, André
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre P.O. Box 334, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Redondo, José I
  • Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Valencia, Spain.
Taylor, Polly M
  • Taylor Monroe, Little Downham, Cambridgeshire CB6 2TY, UK.
Gozalo-Marcilla, Miguel
  • The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK.
Johnston, G Mark
  • Vetstream Ltd., Three Hills Farm, Bartlow, Cambridge CB21 4EN, UK.
Bettschart-Wolfensberger, Regula
  • Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
Sullivan, Rebekah
  • Society for Protection of Animals Abroad, 55 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JW, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

G. Mark Johnston is employed by the company Vetstream Ltd., Three Hills Farm. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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