donkey hoof disorders and their treatment · donkey hoof disorders and their treatment

134 March 2013 | Volume 35 | 134-140

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Alex Thiemann qualified from the University of Cambridge in 1989 and worked in mixed and equine practice where she gained the RCVS certificate in equine practice. She joined The Donkey Sanctuary in 1997 and is the senior veterinary surgeon. She holds an MSc in International Animal Health from Edinburgh.

Disorders of the hoof have important health and welfare implications in donkeys. Clinical conditions that affect the donkey hoof include laminitis, which is one of the most common causes of lameness in donkeys in the UK, as well as white line disease/abscess, and chronic conditions such as overlong hooves. This article reviews the normal anatomy and function of the donkey’s foot, before discussing in more detail the diseases that can arise and their treatment.

doi:10.1136/inp.f1074

Donkey hoof disorders and their treatment

Alex Thiemann and Karen Rickards

Fig 1: Solar surface of donkey hoof. Note the ‘U’ shape flaring slightly at the heels, and the well developed frog

Fig 2: Front view of donkey hoof demonstrating cylindrical shape and upright hoof wall

Karen Rickards qualified from the University of Bristol in 1994 and worked in equine practice before undertaking a PhD at the Royal Veterinary College looking at airway inflammation in horses with recurrent airways obstruction. Since 2007, she has been head of the veterinary department of The Donkey Sanctuary in the UK and Europe. She continues her interest in inflammation, in particular how it relates to pain and the assessment of pain in the donkey.

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135In Practice March 2013 | Volume 35 | 134-140

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Fig 3: Split section of a donkey hoof showing the position of P3 with relation to the coronary band (black arrow), and the position of the frog caudally on P3 (white arrow). Note how this makes placing a heart bar shoe on a laminitic donkey foot inappropriate

Fig 5: Weight shifting is not often seen in donkeys, many of which prefer to lie down or refuse to walk when in pain. This donkey on concrete is showing obvious signs of acute pain

Fig 4: Lateral radiograph of normal donkey hoof. Note the position of P3 in relation to the coronary band marker


136 March 2013 | Volume 35 | 134-140

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Fig 7: Chronic laminitis may be noticed by the severe muscle wastage and prominence of the shoulder region, due to prolonged lack of exercise secondary to pain

Fig 8: Obese donkey with typical fat deposits, an ideal candidate for testing for equine metabolic syndrome

Fig 6: External appearance of donkey hoof with chronic laminitis. Note the obvious laminitic rings that widen towards the heel



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Fig 9: Split section of the hoof shown in Fig 6, showing severe degeneration of P3 and movement of P3 distally within the hoof capsule

Fig 10: Lateral radiograph of the hoof shown in Figs 6 and 9, showing tremendous degeneration and distortion of P3. This donkey was certified as fit to travel, but the effect of the journey resulted in severe pain necessitating euthanasia. Donkeys with suspect hooves should be x-rayed before moving

Fig 11: Typical crumbly horn seen at the sole/wall junction in an advanced case of white line disease


138 March 2013 | Volume 35 | 134-140

EQUINE

=-54-71+&,*-2:+/&42&)*+&*''(&,-./01+&-23&42)+52-1&/)50,6

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Fig 13: The first stage in trimming this overlong hoof is to trim the heels to a normal angle; the frog is then redefined and the sole is scalloped out gently

Fig 14: The hoof on the ground showing the heels achieving a more normal relationship with the ground

Fig 15: The hoof from the front shows the extent of hoof wall separation due to stretching of the laminae

Fig 16: The left fore is nearly finished after one trim; the right has yet to be done. In uncomplicated cases, the hoof can be corrected by a skilful farrier with one trim. Some donkeys may require mild analgesia for a few days after trimming

Fig 12: This donkey was neglected for months before being relinquished to The Donkey Sanctuary; severely overgrown hooves meant it had difficulty walking



EQUINE

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Fig 17: Distal interphalangeal joint contracture of the left fore in a donkey, cause unknown. This case required surgery to achieve correction


140 March 2013 | Volume 35 | 134-140

EQUINE

Self-assessment test: Donkey hoof disorders and their treatment

Answers(1) The donkey hoof is more prone to white line disease as a consequence of over wet horn.

(2) a. The clinician should check the animal’s overall health, particularly resting triglycerides and any dental issues; metabolic testing for equine metabolic syndrome and pars pituitary intermedia dysfunction may be indicated in overweight and/or aged donkeys. b. It is important to avoid excessive dietary restriction, to avoid hyperlipaemia, and to check for faecal output in case exercise restriction and a high fibre diet has resulted in impaction colic.

(3) Treatment and recognition of laminitis in the donkey is affected by: position of P3 within the hoof capsule; stoicism and delayed pain recognition; and pharmacological differences with metabolism of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

(4) Someone has attempted to reduce the toe length before adjusting the weight bearing heels, resulting in the toe not being in contact with the ground.

(5) There is degeneration of P3 with characteristic ‘Aladdin’s slipper’ shape of the toe region. P3 has moved distally in the overlong hoof capsule. The best one can hope for is a trim to achieve comfort and restoration of normal hoof balance. Euthanasia must be considered if the donkey is in considerable pain with a poor quality of life.

(6) This donkey has peroneus tertius rupture, which is surprising considering the non-athletic nature of its life; however, it illustrates that it must not be assumed that lameness in the donkey is always foot related.

(1) What is the consequence of increased moisture uptake by donkey hooves versus horse hooves in the UK environment?

(2) When starting a donkey with laminitis on a diet, what should the clinician be careful to: a. check for? b. avoid?

(3) What donkey-specific factors affect treatment of laminitis in the donkey?

(4) What has gone wrong in the treatment of the overlong donkey hoof in picture below?

(5) This donkey was rescued from an unsuitable environment. Describe the changes seen in the hoof and the radiograph; how might you treat this?

(6) This donkey was presented for ‘pus in the foot’. What is the actual problem?


doi: 10.1136/inp.f1074 2013 35: 134-140In Practice

Alex Thiemann and Karen Rickards Donkey hoof disorders and their treatment

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