Disease In Donkeys Research Articles

CASUISTRY OF DISEASES IN DONKEYS AND MULES ATTENDED AT THE VETERINARY HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRYSIDE OF SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

This study aimed to conduct an analysis of the main diseases in donkeys and mules attended at the Veterinary Hospital of Centro Universitário Anhanguera in Leme, São Paulo, Brazil, from 2009 to 2019. Through a review of clinical cases derived from the hospital records and data tabulation, the most common diseases affecting these species were identified and studied, providing relevant information on these conditions. The study collected a total of 66 records, with 30,30% referring to donkeys and 69,70% to mules. Among the donkeys, 100% of the studied cases were males under 15 years old, while the female mules had significant numbers compared to the donkeys (63,04% versus 36,96% of males), between 5 and 10 years of age. Regarding the diseases found across all studied species, the three highest concentrations were records related to gastroenteric problems (40,90%), followed by dermatological diseases (24,25%) and musculoskeletal problems (18,19%). It was concluded that more effective and targeted management of these species, along with specialized and periodic veterinary care, as well as increased awareness among owners regarding proper care, contribute to the health and well-being of donkeys and mules.

Ultrasonographic and histopathologic features associated with common ocular diseases in donkeys (Equus asinus)

There is a lack of reports describing ultrasonographic and histopathologic features of ocular diseases in donkeys. The present study aimed to document ultrasonographic and histopathologic changes associated with common ocular diseases in donkeys. The study included 45 donkeys (64 eyes) with ocular diseases that had reached the end of their working lives and requested to be used for educational and research purposes. Complete clinical, ophthalmic, ultrasonographic, gross pathologic and histopathologic examinations were included. Ocular abnormalities were documented, tabulated, and analyzed. Seventy-five ocular abnormalities were diagnosed with multiple involvements within the same eye including anterior uveitis (n = 13; 22.8%), cataract (n = 57; 76%), retinal detachment (n = 3; 4%), lens and phthisis bulbi (n = 2; 2.6%). Descriptive ultrasonographic findings of ocular abnormalities were included. Gross pathologic and histopathology findings confirmed the ultrasonography findings. Ultrasonography provided a clinically useful tool offering insight into detailed intraocular structures especially with opacification of the dioptric structures of the eye.

Comparative Proteome Analysis of Serum Uncovers Differential Expression of Proteins in Donkeys (Equus Asinus) With Endometritis Caused by Escherichia Coli.

Endometritis is a common disease in donkeys that causes economic losses to donkey farms and the common cause is bacterial infection. Uterine flush fluid proteomics has been used to study protein biomarkers associated with endometritis in mares. As a convenient diagnostic tool, serum proteomics has not been studied yet in equine species with endometritis. This study is aiming to evaluate the serum proteomics in jennies with and without endometritis and identify potential proteins as biomarker for endometritis diagnosis. Nine donkeys recruited into this study were diagnosed of bacterial (Escherichia coli) endometritis and nine healthy jennies were selected as control. Blood samples of each donkey was collected, and serum was separated from each sample. Peptides samples extracted from the serum were analyzed using nano-ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in data-independent acquisition mode. Protein identification and quantification were performed followed by differential and functional analysis. Of 579 proteins identified in all jennies, 12 proteins were exclusively identified in jennies with endometritis (group E) including myeloperoxidase and Ras-related protein Rab-1B, which might be associated with bacterial infection. There were 11 differentially expressed proteins detected between the two groups of jennies with 4 downregulated proteins and 7 upregulated proteins in jennies with endometritis. Some upregulated proteins along with the GO and KEGG annotation indicated inflammatory response against uterine infection. Characteristic serum proteins identified in jennies with endometritis were associated with inflammation or bacterial infection. These proteins might be potential biomarkers for endometritis diagnosis in jennies.

Spread associations of hoof pathology in donkeys in the central and eastern regions of Ukraine

Interest in keeping a donkey as a working, productive, sports and entertainment, and companion animal is constantly growing both in the countries of the world and in Ukraine. However, unlike other countries, in Ukraine, sufficient attention should have been paid to hoof diseases in donkeys for an extended period. Having studied foreign research on this problem and having conducted our research on the spread of donkey hoof pathologies in the central and eastern regions of Ukraine, we concluded that this problem requires in-depth research since hoof pathologies are primarily associated. The hoof has many anatomical components that are closely related to each other and must function in harmony. Therefore, the occurrence of a disease in one anatomical component entails pathological conditions in others. We have conducted a systematization of the data obtained during the study of the distribution of hoof pathologies in donkeys in the central and eastern regions of Ukraine, and we have discovered 59 associations of hoof pathologies with different compositions. 90 % of the donkeys in the experiment had from 2 to 9 hoof pathologies simultaneously, and there were no donkeys with a single separate hoof disease among the examined animals. It was also established that 80.6 % of examined donkeys had from 5 to 8 hoof pathologies simultaneously. Most often, associations of hoof pathologies consisted of 8 different diseases (24.3 %). Associations with two and three-hoof pathologies (2.1 and 4.2 %) were the least common. We also investigated the qualitative composition of associations of hoof pathologies in donkeys and revealed a certain regularity and dependence of the formation of hoof pathologies in donkeys. Moreover, the widest qualitative variety of hoof pathologies had 13 different associations consisting of precisely five pathologies. During our study of the mechanisms of formation of associations of hoof pathologies, we noted that overgrown hooves, various forms of hoof imbalance, and hoof onychomycosis (surface impression of the hoof horn by keratophages of fungal and bacterial origin) are among the main starting pathologies of hooves in donkeys. In advanced cases, severe pathologies of the hooves occurred, such as contracture of the superficial digital flexor, hypoplasia of the flexors, or deformation of the hoof wall. These pathologies caused inflammatory and destructive processes in various structures of the hoof, which in association led to a partial or complete loss of work capacity and productivity of donkeys and deterioration of their well-being and health.

Particle Size Distribution of Plasma Lipoproteins in Donkeys from Death Valley Compared to a Sampling of Horses.

Simple SummaryDonkeys, like horses, belong to the Equidae family. Though they share some physical attributes, much of their physiology is quite different from horses. Both horses and donkeys can develop clinical issues associated with obesity; insulin dysregulation; and altered lipid metabolism, often termed equine metabolic syndrome or donkey metabolic syndrome, respectively. Unlike large breed horses, however, donkeys, ponies, and miniature horses are more susceptible to developing dyslipidemias. This study aimed to use a novel Lipoprint® assay to compare the lipid profiles of apparently healthy donkeys and large-breed horses to establish a baseline for future work that may lead to the use of this test methodology for the evaluation and monitoring of equids with endocrine disorders.The clinical evaluation of lipid metabolism in equids is often limited to the measurement of total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. This provides a limited picture of metabolic state and general health, given the continuous exchange of lipid species between various lipoproteins. Major lipoprotein classes in equids include high-density lipoprotein (HDL), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and chylomicrons (CM). Unlike large breed horses, donkeys are highly susceptible to hepatic lipidosis. Currently, serum triglyceride concentrations serve as a surrogate marker of hepatic lipid exportation. Both VLDL, indicative of hepatic exportation, and its metabolic end-product, LDL, are rich in triglycerides, and contribute to this value. Diagnostic assays that distinguish VLDL from LDL could be useful in better recognizing the hepatic pathology in donkeys. The compositional differences of lipoproteins across species limit the use of commercially available assays developed for the measurement of human lipoproteins in domestic animals. In this study, we evaluated a high-resolution polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method (Lipoprint®) for separating major lipoprotein classes and sub-fractionating LDL and HDL based on particle size in a large group of donkeys, and compared the pattern to a representative set of horses. Donkeys proved an HDL-rich species, with HDL accounting for the bulk of all lipoproteins (average 78.45%, SD 6.6%, range 92.2–55%). VLDL accounted for a large portion of the total (average 21.6%, SD 6.6%, range 37.1–7.8%), with minimal amounts of LDL detected. The horses tested had higher proportions of VLDL as compared to donkeys (31.7% and 21.6%, respectively p = 0.00008). The later finding draws into question the purported relationship between VLDL, high triglycerides, and hepatic lipidosis, given the incidence of the disease in donkeys is far higher than in horses.

Characterizing the Pathogenesis and Immune Response of Equine Herpesvirus 8 Infection in Lung of Mice.

Simple SummaryEquine herpesvirus 8 (EHV-8) is an important pathogen primarily affecting the horse and donkey industry, but there is little information about the pathogenicity and immune response of EHV-8 in a mouse model. We aim to investigate the pathogenicity and immune response in the lung during EHV-8 infection in BALB/c mice. The results showed that EHV-8 could effectively replicate and elicits a strong proinflammatory response in the lung tissues of a mouse model. The mouse model of viral respiratory disease proposed here will also be useful for studying the underlying mechanisms of the pathology of respiration.Equine herpesvirus type 8 (EHV-8), associated with abortion and severe respiratory disease in donkeys and horses, causes significant economic losses in the global equine industry. However, the pathogenicity of EHV-8 is still unknown. Mice are widely used as an animal model to evaluate virus replication and virulence. The present study aimed to evaluate the pathogenicity of the EHV-8 SDLC66 strain in BALB/c mice. Mice were used to test for infection-associated parameters (such as clinical signs, body weights, virus replication in tissues, viremia, and cytokines) and sacrificed at 0, 2, 4, and 6 days post-infection (dpi). The mice inoculated with EHV-8 exhibited lethargy, dyspnea signs, loss in body weight, and viremia. EHV-8 was detected in the liver, spleen, brain, and lung by PCR at 4 dpi and 6 dpi, effectively replicating these tissues detected by TCID50 at 6 dpi. Proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, were significantly increased at the 4 dpi and 6 dpi in the lung than in the control group. However, IFN-γ was only increased at 6 dpi in the EHV-8-infected group. These data showed that EHV-8 could enter the lungs of mice and cause respiratory disease in the mouse model, which helps reveal the pathogenicity of EHV-8.

Transport stress affects the fecal microbiota in healthy donkeys.

BackgroundWith the development of large‐scale donkey farming in China, long‐distance transportation has become common practice, and the incidence of intestinal diseases after transportation has increased. The intestinal microbiota is important in health and disease, and whether or not transportation disturbs the intestinal microbiota in donkeys has not been investigated.ObjectivesTo determine the effects of transportation on the fecal microbiota of healthy donkeys using 16S rRNA sequencing.AnimalsFecal and blood samples were collected from 12 Dezhou donkeys before and after transportation.MethodsProspective controlled study. Cortisol, ACTH, and heat‐shock protein 90 (HSP90) concentrations were measured. Sequencing of 16S rRNA was used to assess the microbial composition. Alpha diversity and beta diversity were assessed.ResultsResults showed significant (P < .05) increases in cortisol (58.1 ± 14.6 to 71.1 ± 9.60 ng/mL), ACTH (163.8 ± 31.9 to 315.8 ± 27.9 pg/mL), and HSP90 (10.8 ± 1.67 to 14.6 ± 1.75 ng/mL) on the day of arrival. A significantly lower (P = .04) level of bacterial richness was found in fecal samples after transportation, compared with that before transportation without distinct changes in diversity. Most notably, donkeys had significant decreases in Atopostipes, Eubacterium, Streptococcus, and Coriobacteriaceae.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceTransportation can induce stress in healthy donkeys and have some effect on the composition of the in fecal microbiota. Additional studies are required to understand the potential effect of these microbiota changes, especially significantly decreased bacteria, on the development intestinal diseases in donkeys during recovery from transportation.

Prevalence and clinical presentation of skin affections in donkey (Equus asinus) in Egypt

Objective: To document prevalence and clinical presentation of skin diseases in donkeys as well as to investigate predilections for the most common conditions. Design: Epidemiological study Animals: A total of 1134 donkeys at northern Egypt were investigated. Procedures: A questionnaire was constructed to verify the number of infected contact animals as well as the associated factors. Physical examination was carried out and the distribution of skin lesions was recorded. Skin scraping and biopsy were obtained to perform bacteriological, mycological and histopathological examinations. Results: Thirty-five (3.09%) Out of 1134 noticed donkeys had skin affections including mange (18/35; 51.42%), dermatophytosis (6/35; 17.14%), bacterial dermatitis (6/35; 17.14%) urticaria (2/35; 0.57%) and allergic dermatitis (3/35; 0.86%). Conclusion and clinical relevance: The mange and dermatophytosis are the prevalent skin diseases in donkeys. Contact with other animal species of contaminated environment may contribute to the occurrence of the diseases.

A Survey of Smallholder Farms Regarding Demographics, Health Care, and Management Factors of Donkeys in Northeastern China.

Essential information on the population dynamics and the health and welfare of Chinese donkeys is scarce. The objectives of this study were to describe the demographic characteristics, management and health care of a sample of donkeys under smallholder farm conditions of northeastern China. A cross-sectional survey of 731 randomly selected donkey owners on smallholder farms (1,658 donkeys) in 40 villages of northeastern China was conducted. Data on the composition and management of the donkeys and their routine health care were analyzed. The surveyed donkey population consisted of mostly (83.8%) jenny/filly donkeys with a mean age of 6.2 ± 5.0 years. Most (91.2%) of the farms kept 1–4 donkeys. The majority of donkeys were used for breeding and labor. Most (93.8%) of the farms did not have bedding, and their mean stable size was 17.7 ± 10.1 m2. All of the animals were turned out for at least part of the year. The mean size of the turnout areas on the farms was 17.8 m2. The condition of 12.5% of the donkeys was evaluated as “poor” with a body condition score of 1 on a scale of 5. More than one third (37.9%) of the donkeys had never been dewormed. Also, none of them were ever vaccinated or received dental care from a veterinarian. Their hoofs were trimmed once (45.9%) or twice (27.6%) a year. Forty percent of the donkeys were reported to suffer from at least one medical problem in the preceding year. The most common medical problems were colic, respiratory disorders and skin conditions. Owners seemed to underestimate some of the most prevalent diseases in donkeys, suggesting that their knowledge of the management of donkeys, including routine healthcare practices should be improved to ensure the health and welfare of donkeys in northeastern China.

Besnoitiosis in donkeys: an emerging parasitic disease of equids in Italy

Besnoitiosis is an emerging parasitic disease of equids. Italy is one of the few European countries where the circulation of Besnoitia spp. antibodies was demonstrated. In this study, a case of clinical besnoitiosis in two donkeys in northern Italy is reported. The two animals were clinically examined. Serum and blood samples were analyzed for the detection of Besnoitia spp. antibodies and for hematology, biochemistry, and enzyme activity, respectively. ITS-1 PCR and sequencing were carried out on DNA extracted from skin biopsies. Clinical examination revealed numerous scleral pearls in eyes of both animals; alopecia and hyperkeratosis with skin nodules in the region of the neck, hind leg, and on the pinnae were detected. No cysts were evidenced by endoscopy in respiratory and genital tracts. Both animals resulted seropositive to Besnoitia spp. antibodies by Western Blot. Hematology evidenced light anemia, leukocytosis with eosinophilia, and lymphocytosis; biochemistry and enzyme activity revealed hypoalbuminemia with decreased albumin/globulin ratio and elevated alkaline phosphatase values. Parasitic DNA extracted from skin biopsies of both donkeys demonstrated a homology of 100% with Besnoitia spp. This first clinical case of besnoitiosis in two donkeys in Italy both confirms the circulation of Besnoitia spp. in Italian equids and demonstrates that the distribution area of equine besnoitiosis in Europe could be wider than expected. Further studies are needed to infer its relevance, in relation to seroprevalence and clinical disease, and to identify the species of Besnoitia infecting donkeys. Besnoitiosis may be a neglected disease of donkeys in Europe: an early and accurate diagnosis is fundamental to implement adequate control measures to prevent a “silent” spread of Besnoitia spp. infection in equids populations.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytological findings in healthy Amiata donkeys.

Background:The approach to respiratory diseases in donkeys is similar to that for horses; nevertheless, Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and tracheal wash cytology in this species have been described only a few times in the literature. Aim:To describe BALF cytological findings in a cohort of 24 healthy Amiata donkeys.Methods:Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was carried out via standing sedation with a large animal where the BAL catheter passed blindly through the nasal passage into the trachea. Results:The total nucleated cell count of the BALF was found similar to that already described in healthy horses and donkeys. No differences in the differential count were observed according to age and sex. A decreased macrophage percentage and an increased eosinophil percentage were observed in our donkey population when compared to the existing reference range for horses. Conclusion:The reference intervals for BAL cytology in donkeys may be significantly different for those referred for horses.

Skin Diseases in Donkeys and Mules-An Update.

Simple SummaryEquids are part of the history of many countries, including Brazil, where they were used in trade routes and expansion of the current states. Several skin diseases affect these animals; however, visibility is higher on horses than on donkeys and mules, which is linked to regional cultural and socioeconomic factors, even resulting in a decline of the world population of these animals. In this context, the objective of this study was to review which skin diseases have been reported in the scientific literature with emphasis on skin pathologies.The skin of donkeys and mules represents a promising source of income; however, cultural, productive, and infectious factors can directly interfere with the quality of the integumentary tissue and well-being of these species. The objective of this study is to present a literature review on equine dermatopathies. This literature review included scientific articles related to equine medicine and breeding according to pre-established search terms and expressions published in recently articles. The evaluation of the clinical and pathological behavior of dermatopathies implies the use of control strategies and the recognition of pathological patterns that may be particular to the species.

Reference intervals of acute phase proteins in healthy Andalusian donkeys and response to experimentally induced endotoxemia.

BackgroundAssessment of acute phase proteins (APPs) may allow prompt detection of diseases in donkeys, that otherwise may be missed because of the stoic behavior of donkeys. Reference intervals (RIs) of APPs measured using immunoassays and a comparison of the response of these biomarkers to a controlled inflammatory insult are lacking in donkeys.Objectives(a) To describe the RIs for APPs in healthy Andalusian donkeys, (b) to study the effects of sex and age on APPs, and (c) to assess the early response of APPs to experimentally induced endotoxemia.AnimalsSeventy‐three healthy Andalusian donkeys (67 for RIs and 6 for endotoxemia).MethodsSerum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), C‐reactive protein (CRP), ceruloplasmin (Cp), α1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP), procalcitonin (PCT), ferritin (Ft), and fibrinogen (Fb) RIs were determined. Endotoxemia was induced and samples for APP determination were obtained at regular intervals for 4 hours.ResultsThe RIs in Andalusian donkeys were: SAA (0.1‐0.6 mg/L), Hp (75‐2261 mg/L), CRP (1.3‐7.0 mg/L), Cp (0‐745 mg/L), AGP (0‐884 mg/L), PCT (0‐504 pg/mL), Ft (26.9‐31.8 μg/L), and Fb (115‐466 mg/dL). Concentrations of SAA were higher (P < .05) in jacks. Donkeys <5 years old had higher Cp, AGP, and PCT compared to older donkeys. Concentrations of SAA and Hp were significantly increased in endotoxemic donkeys from 2 hours postinduction.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceWe illustrated the importance of using species‐specific RIs for APPs in donkeys and the effect of age and sex on APP concentrations. Concentrations of SAA and Hp appear to be the most useful biomarkers in donkeys in the early stages of endotoxemia.

Pharmacokinetics and ex vivo pharmacodynamics of Minocycline against Salmonella abortus equi in donkey plasma and tissue cage fluid

Tissue Cage (TC) model was used to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and ex vivo pharmacodynamics of Minocycline (MINO) after intramuscular (IM) administration to donkeys at 4 mg/kg body-weight. The Cmax of MINO with 1.79 and 2.63 μg mL−1 was obtained at 2.96 and 1.41 h in TCF (tissue cage fluid) and plasma respectively. The absorption half-lives (t1/2ka) of MINO were calculated to be 0.71 h in TCF and 0.32 h in plasma, whereas the elimination half-lives (t1/2ke) were 10.46 h in TCF and 5.95 h in plasma. The distribution volume (Vd/F) of MINO was estimated to be 1.84 L kg−1 in TCF and 1.28 L kg−1 in plasma. The total clearance (CLb/F) of MINO was computed as 0.12 and 0.15 L/ (h·kg) in TCF and plasma respectively. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of MINO was 32.77 μg mL−1h in TCF and 25.27 μg mL−1h in plasma, respectively.The ex vivo time-kill curves were established for plasma and TCF samples using Salmonella abortus equi. The MIC and MBC of MINO against salmonella were 0.08 and 0.16 μg mL−1 for plasma, 0.04 and 0.08 μg mL−1 for TCF. The plasma Cmax/MIC and AUC/MIC values after IM administration were 32.88 ± 9.87 and 315.88 ± 42.65 h, respectively. The TCF Cmax/MIC and AUC/MIC values after IM administration were 44.75 ± 9.32 and 819.25 ± 65.23 h, respectively. The values of T > MIC were approximately >36 h in plasma and > 65 h in TCF. These findings from this study suggest that MINO may be therapeutically effective in diseases of donkeys caused by salmonella when used at a dose of 4 mg/kg IM administration.

Equid Herpesvirus 8 Isolated From an Adult Donkey in Israel

We report the isolation of Equid herpesvirus 8 from a rescued donkey that suffered severe postcastration complications. Despite intensive treatment, the donkey deteriorated and was euthanized. Postmortem virologic analysis revealed the isolation of a herpesvirus that is closely related to herpesviruses reported from donkeys and horses in Australia, China, and Ireland, causing respiratory disease in donkeys and abortion in mares. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this equid herpesvirus in Israel. The potential significance of this herpesvirus to the equid population in Israel needs further investigation.

Serological survey of Neospora spp. and Besnoitia spp. in horses in Portugal.

Equine neosporosis is regarded to be caused either by Neospora hughesi or Neospora caninum and equine besnoitiosis is caused by Besnoitia bennetti, both of which are apicomplexan parasites. N. caninum is the only known Neospora species in Europe, where equine N. caninum infections have been reported as being associated to abortion and reproductive failure. N. hughesi is prevalent in North America and was predominantly linked to neurological disorders. B. bennetti is considered an emergent disease in donkeys in North America and evidence for B. bennetti infection was recently reported in Europe. Though N. caninum and Besnoitia besnoiti are prevalent in cattle in Portugal, little is known about neosporosis in horses and, to the best of our knowledge, no information was hitherto available for Besnoitia spp. The aim of this study was thus to carry out a serological survey to determine the seroprevalence of these parasites in naturally exposed horses in Portugal. A total of 385 animals were screened by the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test at the cut-off value 1:50 and positive results were confirmed by Western blot. Exposure to Neospora spp. and Besnoitia spp. was confirmed in 9.1% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 6.6-12.4%) and 0.3% (95% CI: 0.0-1.5%) of horses, respectively. Considering the putative economic and animal health impact of neosporosis in horses and the consequences of a possible spread of equine besnoitiosis in Europe and elsewhere, more comprehensive studies are needed to characterize the species detected in serological surveys, evaluate the geographical distribution and assess possible risk factors that could favor transmission.

Skin disease in donkeys (Equus asinus): a retrospective study from four veterinary schools.

Donkeys are important throughout the world as work animals and occasionally as pets or a meat source. Most descriptions of skin disease in donkeys are reported in small case series, textbooks or review articles. To document skin diseases and their prevalence in donkeys and to investigate predilections for the most common conditions. Case populations at four veterinary schools totalling 156 donkeys. A retrospective study was performed by searching computerized medical records, using the key word "donkey", at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis (UCD). Records of donkeys from the veterinary schools in Nantes, France; Utrecht, Netherlands and Ghent, Belgium were searched in a similar manner. The time periods included in the searches varied by institution. At UCD, 83 of 346 (24%) of donkeys had skin disease noted in their records. The most common diagnoses were insect bite hypersensitivity, sarcoid and habronemiasis. At Nantes, 36 of 144 (25%) had skin disease and the most common diagnoses were sarcoid and superficial pyoderma. At Utrecht 23 of 143 (16%) had skin disease and the most common diagnosis was dermatophytosis. At Ghent, 14 of 320 (4%) had skin disease and the most common diagnosis was sarcoid. Cutaneous conditions in donkeys are common. Age, sex and breed predisposition and the most common diagnoses varied with geographical location. Clinicians should include a dermatological examination regardless of the reason for presentation.

Cytological Analysis of Tracheal Washing and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Obtained from Donkeys with Chronic Lung Disease

Pulmonary fibrosis, tracheal collapse and bronchoalveolar diseases belong to the most common causes of donkey deaths. The cytological analysis of tracheal washing (TW) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) have been proven in as useful tools for the investigation of lower respiratory airway diseases. Little is known about collection and analysis of TW and BALF in donkeys. The current study aimed at cytological analysis of TW and BALF in healthy donkeys and donkeys with chronic lung disease. TW and BALF fluid were collected from seventeen donkeys (five healthy and twelve affected with chronic lung disease) and were analysed for their cytological composition. In comparison to many other veterinary species, the percentage of eosinophils in TW and BALF was higher for both healthy and affected donkeys. The proportion of neutrophils in TW and BALF of affected donkeys was higher than that in control animals. The increase in the percentage of neutrophils and epithelial cells war higher in TW, when compared to BALF samples. Collectively, the comparative cytological analysis of TW and BALF samples from healthy and respiratory affected donkeys revealed that both TW and BALF could serve as helpful tools for the diagnosis of respiratory diseases in donkeys

Equid herpesvirus 8: Complete genome sequence and association with abortion in mares.

Equid herpesvirus 8 (EHV-8), formerly known as asinine herpesvirus 3, is an alphaherpesvirus that is closely related to equid herpesviruses 1 and 9 (EHV-1 and EHV-9). The pathogenesis of EHV-8 is relatively little studied and to date has only been associated with respiratory disease in donkeys in Australia and horses in China. A single EHV-8 genome sequence has been generated for strain Wh in China, but is apparently incomplete and contains frameshifts in two genes. In this study, the complete genome sequences of four EHV-8 strains isolated in Ireland between 2003 and 2015 were determined by Illumina sequencing. Two of these strains were isolated from cases of abortion in horses, and were misdiagnosed initially as EHV-1, and two were isolated from donkeys, one with neurological disease. The four genome sequences are very similar to each other, exhibiting greater than 98.4% nucleotide identity, and their phylogenetic clustering together demonstrated that genomic diversity is not dependent on the host. Comparative genomic analysis revealed 24 of the 76 predicted protein sequences are completely conserved among the Irish EHV-8 strains. Evolutionary comparisons indicate that EHV-8 is phylogenetically closer to EHV-9 than it is to EHV-1. In summary, the first complete genome sequences of EHV-8 isolates from two host species over a twelve year period are reported. The current study suggests that EHV-8 can cause abortion in horses. The potential threat of EHV-8 to the horse industry and the possibility that donkeys may act as reservoirs of infection warrant further investigation.

Determination of reference values for intraocular pressure and Schirmer tear test results in clinically normal domestic donkeys (Equus asinus)

This study was conducted to establish normal reference range for the Schirmer tear test (STT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) in clinically normal donkeys for use in clinical practice. Sixteen adult...