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  Discussion on Donkey not eating much and grinding teeth
Author Message
Member:
dsmith6

Posted on Saturday, Aug 8, 2009 - 6:05 pm:

Hi
My 13yo donkey who is pasture pal for my TB, started to be dis-interested in his feed/hay a couple of days ago. Today, he has not eating very much. He grinds his teeth after eating a little hay (which he kinds of picks at) and when offered a treat. He has urinated and passed manure- so I don't think colic. His respiratory and pulse is normal. Normally he hee-haws when I get home and looks for treats, but this is the 3rd day he has not been vocal at all. He usually loves treats and his special donkey grain (which he only gets so his feelings doesn't get hurt when my horse gets his) But has no interest in grain, treats, me or anything. Just sort of sulking in back of the stall and very unsocialable. Just today I tried washing his mouth out with syringe of luke warm water, both to dislodge anything that might be there and also hydrate him as I haven't really seen him drink alot. I've done this twice today, after the second time he drank quite a bit of the water on his own. He seems to be walking slower too- but not necessarily lame. I'm thinking of calling the vet tomorrow if no improvement and make appt for Monday. I'm thinking tooth problems b/c of grinding and the previous owner did not float his teeth at all (I've had him for 3 months). Any idea on what I should do or what it could be?? thanks!!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Aug 9, 2009 - 8:51 am:

Hello Danielle,
Tooth grinding can be chronic pain from anywhere and passing manure does not rule out colic. The overall mild depression, inappetence, and tooth grinding does suggest colic to me but I agree with you a thorough exam of the mouth warranted.
DrO
Member:
dsmith6

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 12, 2009 - 7:58 am:

The vet came out yesterday- she really has no idea. His teeth were terrible, so they got the powerfloat, no bad teeth or lesions though. He had a temp of 101.3 yesterday, but this morning was 99.1. She gave him banamine, took blood for test, tested for lyme disease by snap test- negative. He was better last night, eating hay with the horse out of hay rack and much more active. But still have not seen him drink much water. He will eat a few carrots and hay but not apples or grain. The vet suspects stomach ulcers- so we have him on ulcerguard for a week. This AM, he stretched to urinate- but nothing came out. Should have blood test results Friday.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 - 4:21 am:

Danielle, the observation of nonproductive urination should make colic or bladder obstruction a possibility. Bladder obstruction tends to result in persistent difficult urination so we continue to have suggestions of a chronic colic. Now the question is why it will determine whether the recent improvement is permanent or not.
DrO
Member:
dsmith6

Posted on Friday, Aug 14, 2009 - 6:20 am:

I stayed home from work on Thursday and observed him all day. He urinated without trouble in the afternoon. He drank freely in the morning 2x multiple sips. He now does not eat his hay or carrots- he only eats grass. This morning, my horse ate hay and then starting licking the metal hay rack, then the ground, pawed at the ground and ran around. He then went to eat his grain- I'm suspecting he got something in his tongue. Now I'm wondering if the donkey has something stuck in his throat and there is something in the hay that is sharp. Its the first time getting hay from this one particular field. I did look at the hay and some of it is cut short and almost pokey/sharp. Donkeys vitals are normal, he is urinating and passing manure. He does not eat anything other than grass and does not hee-haw. How would I relieve something that may have scratched his throat? He does seem more active after banamine. Another instance was he hee-hawed after waking up from having his teeth floated and it was very hoarse and deep. Still waiting on blood results and discussing with vet.... what do you think Dr. O?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Aug 16, 2009 - 3:23 pm:

No I don't think so Danielle horses I have seen with foreign bodies stuck in throat show signs of dysphagia, painful swallowing shortly followed by severe choke.
DrO
Member:
dsmith6

Posted on Monday, Aug 17, 2009 - 7:40 am:

Friday night took the donkey to the clinic. he was severly dehydrated. they hooked him up to a cathoter and put fluids into him. his kidney and liver levels were very high. today kidney level is normal, and liver seems to be normal- however the vet is concerned that he is foundering under all this stress. they are taking x-rays and may start treatment but need to keep in mind of his internal complications. I noticed he was uneasy on his feet on Sunday morning when I visited him, but thought he was unstable due to not eating and everything else going on. If he started to founder sunday morning and not its monday afternoon- is there any hope of catching this in time??? what do we do from here if he has foundered? the vet said anti-inflammatories and if its bad corrective shoeing.
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Monday, Aug 17, 2009 - 2:31 pm:

Danielle,

There is a wealth of information in Dr. O's articles on this subject.

The sooner laminitis or founder is treated the better but there is still a lot that you can do toward a good outcome.

Hang in there and keep up the good care.
Member:
dsmith6

Posted on Monday, Aug 17, 2009 - 5:11 pm:

I read the article and wrote down some things I want to ask vet but it seems that we are doing all that we can. he took xrays of the feet- no damage yet. its just in his front feet. he believes its his liver that is causing him to founder. he has ice on his hooves and is on anti-inflammatories as much as he can be- in consideration of his liver. still trying to get the liver working better as it became fatty. I just can't believe how fast this happened! He is in a lot of pain- vet said that we can't let this go on for more than a few days. We are hoping that he will improve overnight. very heartbreaking- we luv him so much.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Aug 17, 2009 - 6:23 pm:

Danielle, our article on founder is at Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Founder & Laminitis » Founder & Laminitis an Overview. For more on fatty liver disease see Diseases of Horses » Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract » Mouth, Esophagus, and Liver » Fatty Liver Disease and Hyperlipidosis.
DrO
Member:
canter

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 18, 2009 - 2:43 am:

Danielle, I'm sorry to hear of all the trouble your donkey is going through. Is he being hospitalized at your vet's? That will hopefully provide him all the support and care he needs to be fully diagnosed and thouroghly treated.

Best wishes for his complete recovery.
Member:
lilo

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 18, 2009 - 2:46 pm:

Poor little guy! All my best wishes, Lilo
Member:
frances

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 18, 2009 - 10:14 pm:

Thinking of you and your donkey Danielle. I do hope there's some good news?
Member:
dsmith6

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2009 - 9:11 am:

Very sad to report, he did not make it. B/T the fatty liver and founder he was in extreme pain and we needed to end that Mon nite. He was at the vets for 4 days w/ fluids and 24 hr care. This is one of the saddest experiences in my life.
Member:
lilo

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2009 - 10:57 am:

Danielle, my sincere condolences. I am so very sorry your beloved donkey did not make it. You did all you could to save him, but in the end you did what you had to do to end his suffering.
Lilo
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2009 - 12:23 pm:

Oh, Danielle,

I am so very sorry to hear this sad news but you certainly did all that you could for him.
Member:
erika

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2009 - 2:04 pm:

So sorry, you obviously loved this little guy. How heartbreaking.
Erika
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2009 - 2:40 pm:

My condolences Danielle, once fatty liver disease activates it can be very hard to turn them back around. Maybe this moment can help someone else save their small equine. All those with minis, burros, and ponys need to be careful about this disease. The reference for it is in my last post above.
DrO
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2009 - 3:12 pm:

Thanks, Dr. O, for the good article that I read earlier today.

I thought that I had learned a lot about horse health issues but this was unknown territory for me and Danielle's posting certainly will help to enlighten others.
Member:
sodmonst

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2009 - 3:28 pm:

Danielle, I am sorry to hear about your loss, for you needing to make such a sad decision.

We have two little jennies, and I never knew about this issue until reading the thread. They are fat, and this is important to know.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2009 - 4:31 pm:

My condolences Danielle.
Member:
jowidner

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 19, 2009 - 8:00 pm:

Danielle, I'm so sorry for your loss. Hugs to you and your family. You certainly did all you could for the little guy.
Member:
canter

Posted on Thursday, Aug 20, 2009 - 2:45 am:

I'm so sorry, Danielle. I hope you will find some comfort in knowing that you did everything you could for your beloved friend.

Fran
Member:
frances

Posted on Thursday, Aug 20, 2009 - 4:28 am:

How sad, Danielle. I am so sorry.
Member:
leilani

Posted on Thursday, Aug 20, 2009 - 1:04 pm:

My heart goes out to you Danielle. I have 2 donks that are very special to me. Take care. Leilani
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