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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Management of Thermal Injuries in Donkeys: A Case Report.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(11); doi: 10.3390/ani10112131

Management of Thermal Injuries in Donkeys: A Case Report.

Abstract: Burn injuries are uncommon in large animals and there are no reports of these injuries in donkeys. Burns cause local and systemic effects. Extensive thermal injuries can be challenging to manage and the extent of the burn surface affected will directly impact the severity of the illness and the prognosis. Burns are classified according to the depth of injury into four categories, from first-degree burns, and the least affect to fourth-degree burns, which are the more severely affected patients. This case report describes the medical management of four donkeys that sustained various degrees of external burn injuries during the wildland-urban interface fire in Valparaiso, Chile. The donkeys were treated topically for several weeks and closely monitor for inadequate nutritional intake. Water based topical medications are preferred in burn cases because they can be easily applied and removed without interfering with wound healing. Of note, the caloric demands of these cases can be achieved by increasing the amount of grain, adding fat (i.e., vegetable oil), and free-choice alfalfa hay. All donkeys recovered and were retired to an animal shelter.
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Publication Date: 2020-11-17 PubMed ID: 33212805PubMed Central: PMC7696336DOI: 10.3390/ani10112131Google 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 article focuses on a novel case study surrounding the medical management of four donkeys that endured varying degrees of burn injuries during a wildfire in Chile. The severity of the burns was treated with topical medications and closely monitored nutritional intake with an emphasis on ensuring caloric demands are met.

Understanding Burn Injuries in Large Animals

  • Large animals, including donkeys, are rarely reported as having burn injuries, making the research unique.
  • Burns can create localized and systemic effects, influencing both the immediate area of injury and the larger bodily functions.
  • The degree of burn the animal suffers from – classified from first (least severe) to fourth (most severe) – can significantly impact management strategies for care and recovery.

Treatment of Burn Injuries

  • The donkeys in the case study were treated through a regimen of topical treatments and close monitoring of their nutritional intake.
  • Topical treatments, particularly those water-based, are preferred due to their ease of use and the fact they do not interfere with the healing process.
  • Nutritional considerations are a key component of managing burn injuries, as meeting the caloric needs of the donkey aids in overall recovery efforts.

Nutritional Management Following Burn Injuries

  • The study highlighted the need for an increased grain ration, the addition of vegetable oil, and access to free-choice alfalfa hay to meet the elevated caloric requirements of the injured donkeys.
  • Such dietary adjustments are necessary to support the energy intensive healing process.

Outcome of the Treatment Process

  • All four donkeys included in the case report recovered from the burn-related injuries post-treatment.
  • Following recovery, they were retired to an animal shelter, demonstrating the effective outcome of the treatment process.

Cite This Article

APA
Lohse J, Pietrantoni P, Tummers C. (2020). Management of Thermal Injuries in Donkeys: A Case Report. Animals (Basel), 10(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10112131

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 11

Researcher Affiliations

Lohse, Jorge
  • Equine Sport Medicine Advisor, Equinos Chile, Chorrillos, Viña del Mar 399, Chile.
Pietrantoni, Pierpaolo
  • School of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Viña del Mar University, Agua Santa, Viña del Mar 7055, Chile.
Tummers, Christian
  • Natural Resources Faculty, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Temuco Catholic University, Manuel Montt, Temuco 056, Chile.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Martins-Bessa A, McLean AK. Advances in Donkey and Mule Research. Animals (Basel) 2024 Aug 1;14(15).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14152238pubmed: 39123764google scholar: lookup
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