Post mortem survey of dental disorders in 349 donkeys from an aged population (2005-2006). Part 2: epidemiological studies.
Authors: Du Toit N, Gallagher J, Burden F A, Dixon P M
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Dental Disease in Aged Donkeys Du Toit and colleagues' post mortem examination of 349 donkeys (median age 31 years) revealed that dental disorders are nearly universal in aged populations, affecting 93.4% of animals and significantly correlating with advancing age—particularly cheek teeth diastemata, which emerged as a key risk factor in older animals. Using multivariable analysis, the researchers established critical associations between diastemata and concurrent pathologies including displaced, missing and severely worn cheek teeth, as well as a significant link between diastemata and colic presentation. The finding that older donkeys with diastemata were at substantially elevated colic risk carries considerable clinical weight, suggesting that dental disease should be considered a potential colic trigger in geriatric populations. For practitioners working with aged donkeys, these findings underscore the necessity for regular, preventative dental intervention—particularly in animals over 25 years—as a welfare priority and colic prevention strategy; waiting until clinical signs emerge may allow irreversible pathology to develop. This work establishes dental examination and prophylactic treatment as essential components of geriatric donkey management, rather than addressing only symptomatic disease.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Aged donkeys require routine prophylactic dental examinations and treatments, as 93% have significant dental pathology that may be clinically silent
- •Cheek teeth diastemata should be recognized as a marker for multiple concurrent dental problems and as a risk factor for colic; affected donkeys warrant enhanced monitoring and management
- •Regular dental care in older donkeys may reduce colic risk and improve welfare outcomes in this vulnerable population
Key Findings
- •93.4% of aged donkeys (median age 31 years) had significant dental disease at post mortem examination
- •Older age group was a significant risk factor for cheek teeth diastemata presence
- •Cheek teeth diastemata were significantly associated with concurrent displaced, missing, and worn cheek teeth
- •Significant association existed between cheek teeth diastemata and colic in the study population