Authors: Kamran Kashif, Akbar Ali, Naseem Mahrukh, Samad Abdul, Samiullah, Achakzai Jahangir Khan, Rehman Zia Ur, Sohail Sajid Muhammad, Ali Abid
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Donkeys remain critically underserved working animals in resource-poor regions despite their economic importance, prompting researchers in Pakistan to systematically assess their current health management and welfare status through a combination of literature review and owner surveys. Between October 2021 and March 2022, 191 donkey owners and nine farriers completed detailed questionnaires, with multivariate odds ratio analysis used to identify associations between management practices and health outcomes. Hyperlipaemia emerged as the most prevalent condition (28.06% of animals), followed by dental problems (20.41%) and lameness (16.33%), whilst over one-third of donkeys presented as clinically underweight—a particularly concerning finding given that poor appetite and dullness in an underweight donkey signals acute risk for life-threatening hyperlipaemia. The research emphasises that recognition of these presenting signs should trigger emergency clinical intervention, whilst the high prevalence of preventable dental and nutritional issues indicates substantial room for improvement through better owner education and basic husbandry standards. For equine professionals working with donkeys or in regions where donkey welfare is relevant, these findings underscore the importance of proactive weight management, early recognition of metabolic crisis, and systematic attention to dental health as foundational welfare priorities.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Monitor donkeys for signs of poor appetite and dullness as early warning signs of potentially life-threatening hyperlipaemia—this is a clinical emergency
- •Ensure adequate nutrition and body condition scoring in donkey management, as underweight status is common and predisposes to metabolic disease
- •Work with farriers and owners to establish basic healthcare protocols including dental care and lameness prevention, as these are prevalent problems in resource-limited settings
Key Findings
- •Hyperlipaemia was the most common medical problem affecting 28.06% of surveyed donkeys
- •Lameness occurred in 16.33% and dental problems in 20.41% of donkeys
- •One-third (34.31%) of donkeys were underweight, indicating poor nutrition management
- •Donkey owners and farriers lack adequate knowledge of health management and welfare practices