Intrinsic characteristics of donkeys that affect drug treatment.
Abstract: Donkeys have contributed to the development and livelihoods of humans for almost 7,000 years. They have been used for traction and transportation, kept as pets, utilized in animal-assisted therapies, or farmed as food-producing animals. Over the past two decades, significant progress has been made in bridging the knowledge gap in veterinary medicine between donkeys and horses. Veterinary practitioners are now more aware that donkeys have important behavioral, anatomical, and physiological characteristics that distinguish them from horses. These peculiarities should be considered when treating donkeys. For instance, donkeys are highly efficient in compartmentalizing and conserving water and metabolizing xenobiotics via cytochrome P450 enzymes. This affects the selection of drugs and their dosages. Estimating live weight and recognising and assessing pain accurately are also important factors when instituting pharmacological treatments for donkeys. Therapeutic regimens have been established for some drugs in donkeys, but many are still directly extrapolated from horses. Because donkeys are classified as a minor species, there are relatively few medications approved for their use. In addition, some cultures also consider donkeys as to have lower economic value than horses, which may preclude donkeys from receiving appropriate veterinary care. Veterinary education on donkey-specific topics would improve the health and ultimately the welfare of these animals. This review explores the characteristics of donkeys and offers guidance on their care and treatment, aiming to enhance their overall quality of life.
Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2025-09-10 PubMed ID: 40939751DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105700Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
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Summary
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Overview
- This research article reviews the unique intrinsic characteristics of donkeys that influence how they respond to drug treatments.
- It highlights the physiological, anatomical, and behavioral differences from horses, emphasizing the need for donkey-specific veterinary care and drug dosing.
Introduction and Background
- Donkeys have played a vital role in human societies for nearly 7,000 years.
- They are used for various purposes such as:
- Traction and transportation
- Pets
- Animal-assisted therapies
- Food production
- Despite their importance, veterinary medicine historically focused more on horses than donkeys, leaving knowledge gaps.
- Recent advancements over the past 20 years are bridging these gaps and now recognize donkeys as distinct from horses in key ways.
Physiological and Anatomical Differences
- Donkeys have unique physiological and anatomical features that influence drug metabolism and treatment:
- Highly efficient water conservation and compartmentalization within their bodies.
- Distinct metabolism of xenobiotic substances (foreign chemical substances) via cytochrome P450 enzymes, which are critical in drug processing.
- These differences impact drugs’ pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, necessitating adjusted drug selection and dosages compared to horses.
Challenges in Veterinary Treatment of Donkeys
- Estimating donkeys’ live weight is challenging but essential for accurate drug dosing.
- Accurate recognition and assessment of pain in donkeys are also crucial for appropriate pharmacological intervention.
- Current therapeutic drug regimens for donkeys are limited:
- Some drug dosages have been specifically established for donkeys.
- Many still rely on direct extrapolation from horse data, which may not always be appropriate.
- Donkeys are categorized as a minor species, limiting the number of drugs officially approved for their use.
Socio-cultural and Educational Factors
- In certain cultures, donkeys are perceived to have lower economic value compared to horses.
- This perception can result in donkeys receiving less veterinary attention and suboptimal healthcare.
- There is a need to enhance veterinary education focused on donkey-specific care and treatment to improve health outcomes.
- Education and awareness can lead to better recognition of the unique needs of donkeys and improve their welfare and quality of life.
Purpose and Implications of the Review
- The review aims to summarize knowledge about donkey-specific characteristics relevant to medical treatment.
- It offers guidance to veterinary practitioners on:
- Choosing appropriate drugs
- Adjusting dosages considering donkey metabolism
- Accurately assessing pain and weight
- Ultimately, the goal is to improve treatment outcomes and enhance the welfare and quality of life of donkeys worldwide.
Cite This Article
APA
Lizarraga I, Castillo-Alcala F.
(2025).
Intrinsic characteristics of donkeys that affect drug treatment.
J Equine Vet Sci, 154, 105700.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105700 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand. Electronic address: madrigal@unam.mx.
- Tāwharau Ora-School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4474, New Zealand.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Equidae / physiology
- Veterinary Drugs / therapeutic use
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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