Document type : Editorial published in the Equine Veterinary Journal
Authors: Karen Rickards, Ramiro E. Toribio
Preview: The global donkey population is estimated at 46 million with the majority living in developing countries where they support the livelihoods of their owners as well as local economies. Whilst their physiology and anatomy are adapted to live in the semi-arid areas of the world, donkeys can be found in a diverse range of environments and are kept for a variety of different purposes. This highlights the incredible adaptability of the species and their stoicism making it all the more important to ensure that the veterinary profession understands their unique biology and the impact this has on disease susceptibility and management. […]
Historically, donkey-specific research has focussed on the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology, but more recently on pharmacology, endocrinology, nutrition, infectious diseases and disease prevention. This has been hugely beneficial for donkey welfare, contrasting differences between donkeys and horses, highlighting the importance of appropriate drug selection and dosing, awareness of infectious diseases and biosecurity as well as the implications of endocrinopathies and inadequate feeding practices on the health of these animals. One area that needs research emphasis is the generation of pathophysiological information. Donkey-specific medical knowledge in the literature is sparse, and in this virtual issue, Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) and Equine Veterinary Education (EVE) combine forces to provide a great opportunity to showcase advances made in this area whilst encouraging the reader to consider where further research is required. Furthermore, veterinary education in this field is limited, despite increasing demand for veterinary expertise in donkeys and mules. By collating a range of articles on pharmacology, diagnostics, disease prevalence and management practices in donkeys, EVJ is contributing to the dissemination of knowledge, emphasising medicine, differences with horses, disease prevention, welfare, owner education and improving public perception of this species.
