Tracheal collapse rates in Kenyan working cart and pack donkeys.
Abstract: Donkeys (Equus asinus) in East Africa are recognised as working with poorly designed harnesses and carts. The donkey cart used in regions of Africa, specifically Meru County, Kenya, appears to place the cart's weight solely on the donkey's mid-cervical region. The ventral area of the neck is vulnerable to external pressure on the trachea, which is superficially located. Objective: To compare the presence and severity of endoscopic abnormalities in the upper airway and trachea of Meru County working cart donkeys compared to pack donkeys. To determine associations between endoscopic and physical evidence of harness injury. Methods: Cross-sectional. Methods: At voluntary health clinics, physical examination and endoscopy of the upper airway and trachea were evaluated and recorded at rest on 66 donkeys (38 cart donkeys and 28 pack donkeys). The presence and grade of tracheal collapse, tracheal ring abnormalities, tracheal mucus, and pharyngitis were subsequently determined on the endoscopy recordings by blinded evaluators. Results: Significant associations were identified between work type and tracheal collapse severity, ring abnormalities, pharyngitis, hairless skin, and thickened skin, with these findings more common in cart than pack donkeys (all p < 0.03). Moderate tracheal collapse (grade 3) was present in 40% (95% CI: 24%-57%) of cart and 0% (0%-12%) of pack donkeys. Intra-tracheal ring abnormalities were noted in 45% (29%-62%) of cart and 0% (0%-12%) of pack donkeys. Physical examination findings were significantly and positively associated with endoscopy findings (all p < 0.002). Conclusions: Standing endoscopy was performed at rest and dynamic endoscopy during the pulling of carts was not performed. Conclusions: Moderate tracheal collapse was seen in cart donkeys when compared to pack donkeys. Physical examination findings at rest were associated with and moderately predictive of tracheal collapse.
© 2025 The Author(s). Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2025-06-26 PubMed ID: 40567126DOI: 10.1111/evj.14545Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research studied the difference between tracheal collapse in Kenyan working cart and pack donkeys. Findings indicate that donkeys pulling carts had a significantly higher rate of tracheal collapse and other tracheal abnormalities, which was attributed to the weight and pressure exerted on the animal’s neck by the poorly designed harnesses and carts.
Objective and Methodology
- The study aimed to compare the presence and severity of upper airway and trachea abnormalities in Kenyan working donkeys, particularly those that carry carts, to those that carry packs. It also sought to determine if there was a correlation between visual evidence of harness injury and the endoscopy results.
- The researchers performed physical examinations and endoscopies on 66 voluntary donkeys, 38 of which were cart donkeys and 28 were pack donkeys.
- The endoscopy results were later evaluated by separate evaluators, who were blinded to the working type of the donkey, to determine the presence and grade of abnormalities such as tracheal collapse, tracheal ring deformities, tracheal mucus, and pharyngitis.
Results
- The study showed that the cart donkeys had more severe tracheal conditions compared to the pack donkeys. These health conditions included tracheal collapse, ring abnormalities, pharyngitis, hairless skin, and thickened skin. Moderate tracheal collapse was found in 40% of cart donkeys, but in none of the pack donkeys.
- Intra-tracheal ring abnormalities were present in 45% of cart donkeys, but found in none of the pack donkeys.
- The results indicated a strong correlation between the physical examination and endoscopy findings, suggesting that physical evidence of harness injury generally indicated the presence of internal airway and tracheal abnormalities.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that donkeys outfitted with carts experienced a higher likelihood of experiencing tracheal collapse when compared to those carrying packs.
- Physical examination of the donkey can help in predicting the risk of tracheal collapse. However, the research methodology did not include dynamic endoscopy carried out during cart pulling, which is a potential area for further research.
Cite This Article
APA
Mellish M, Burns J, Elce Y, Stull JW.
(2025).
Tracheal collapse rates in Kenyan working cart and pack donkeys.
Equine Vet J.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14545 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Grant Funding
- Merck Animal Health
- Zoetis
- Farmers Helping Farmers
- Atlantic Veterinary College
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