Comprehensive Report of the Caseload of Donkeys and Mules Presented to a Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital over a Ten-Year Period.
Authors: Costa Lais R R, Aleman Monica, Davis Eric
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
Despite donkeys and mules representing a growing segment of the equine population in the United States, published data on their presentation to veterinary hospitals remains sparse; this ten-year retrospective analysis of 996 donkey and mule cases (1.06% of 94,147 total equid admissions) at UC Davis provided the first comprehensive characterisation of this population's demographics, management and healthcare patterns. The caseload was predominantly composed of older animals—standard donkeys and mules aged 10–20 years—with miniature donkeys typically between 2–10 years, whilst most neonates presented were mules; notably, body condition scores skewed towards the high end, particularly in donkeys, reflecting the sanctuary and rescue farm demographics that housed most miniature and standard donkeys in the study population. Medical complaints accounted for 62% of visits versus 38% wellness consultations, yet the cohort demonstrated engagement with preventative healthcare including regular vaccination, deworming and dental care, suggesting owners of these animals prioritised evidence-based veterinary management. The distinction in use patterns—mules predominantly engaged in ridden, packed or driven work versus donkeys of unclear purpose—underscores the importance of understanding species-specific functional demands when formulating rehabilitation and conditioning programmes. For practitioners, this dataset offers the first robust reference point for expected presentations, age-related conditions and management practices in donkey and mule populations across the western United States, informing clinical decision-making and helping identify gaps in evidence-based care for these equids.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Donkeys and mules represent a small but significant portion of equine hospital caseloads; practitioners should be prepared to manage their distinct health needs and husbandry requirements
- •High body condition scores were common in donkeys, particularly miniatures—weight management and metabolic screening should be routine in sanctuary and rescue populations
- •Mules in working roles (riding, packing, driving) received regular preventative care including vaccinations, deworming, and dental work; this standard should be maintained across all donkey and mule populations regardless of use
Key Findings
- •Donkeys and mules comprised 1.06% (996/94,147) of the total equid caseload over ten years
- •Most miniature donkeys were 2-10 years old while standard donkeys and mules were 10-20 years old
- •Medical complaints represented 62% of visits while wellness visits accounted for 38%
- •Most miniature and standard donkeys were housed in sanctuary/rescue farms, while the majority of mules were used for riding, packing, or driving