Collection of cerebrospinal fluid in 50 adult healthy donkeys (Equus asinus): clinical complications, and cytological and biochemical constituents.
Authors: Abdelhakiem Mohammed A H, Hussein Hussein Awad
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary: CSF Collection and Reference Values in Adult Donkeys Central nervous system disease represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in equines, yet diagnostic protocols for donkeys remain poorly characterised compared to horses. This research established reference ranges for cerebrospinal fluid cytology and biochemistry in 50 healthy adult donkeys by collecting samples via both lumbosacral and atlanto-occipital approaches, documenting associated clinical complications at each site. The study provides the first comprehensive baseline data for interpreting CSF findings in donkey neurology cases, filling a critical gap in our understanding of species-specific parameters that differ from equine reference values. Practitioners can now distinguish pathological changes—whether degenerative, inflammatory, or infectious—from normal variation when investigating neurological presentations in donkeys. Given that CSF analysis guides both diagnosis and prognosis in central nervous system disease, having donkey-specific reference ranges substantially improves clinical decision-making and allows more targeted therapeutic intervention, whilst the documented complication rates inform risk assessment when choosing between lumbosacral and atlanto-occipital puncture sites.
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Practical Takeaways
- •This study provides baseline CSF values specific to donkeys, essential for interpreting abnormal results when investigating neurological disease
- •Both lumbosacral and atlanto-occipital collection sites are viable options in donkeys; choice may depend on clinical presentation and practitioner comfort
- •Understanding normal CSF parameters and potential collection complications improves diagnostic accuracy for CNS disease investigation in donkey practice
Key Findings
- •CSF was successfully collected from 50 healthy adult donkeys at both lumbosacral and atlanto-occipital sites with documentation of clinical complications
- •Reference ranges for cytological and biochemical parameters of donkey CSF were established for comparison with diseased animals
- •Two collection sites (LS and AO) were evaluated for safety and feasibility in CSF sampling