Page 1044 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

• See Chapter 17 for a full description of this condition.

• Donkeys are well known as high-risk subjects for this disease. Donkeys’ resting
VetBooks.ir triglyceride levels are significantly higher than those of ponies, and they are frequently

obese, which predisposes them to insulin insensitivity and hyperlipaemia (Figure 23.6).

• Pregnant and lactating jennies are especially high risk.
• Any concurrent disease, which causes a degree of anorexia, is a risk for development of

the disease. Care must be taken to monitor triglyceride levels in a variety of conditions,
e.g. after dental extraction, or when the donkey is suffering from colic.

• Clinical signs include depression, anorexia, sham eating and drinking, elevated pulse and
respiratory rates, reduced gut motility, dry mucus-covered faeces, congested mucous

membranes, ataxia, and ventral oedema.

• Gastric ulceration may accompany anorexia, and so hyperlipaemic, anorexic donkeys are
sometimes treated with gastric protectants, e.g. omeprazole, ranitidine, sucralfate.

• Pancreatitis may accompany hyperlipaemia; this can be detected by raised plasma
amylase and lipase, and anterior abdominal pain that is poorly responsive to analgesia.

• The treatment protocol used at the Donkey Sanctuary is outlined below.