Do you know how to spot if your donkey is unwell? The experts at the Donkey sanctuary explain what to look for <\/p>
The stoic nature of donkeys is often misunderstood as an ability to endure pain and hardship without suffering. However, this is a misconception, says Liz Hazell-Smith,\u00a0research assistant at The Donkey Sanctuary. <\/strong><\/p> Donkeys do experience pain, fear, and other negative emotions, but their behavioural responses are typically less expressive than those of horses and ponies. This subtle reaction can lead observers to mistakenly believe that donkeys aren’t in distress when they actually are. <\/p> In reality, donkeys feel pain and fear just as acutely as their equine relatives; they simply display their discomfort in more understated ways. This characteristic makes it crucial for caretakers to be particularly attentive to even minor changes in a donkey’s behaviour or demeanour, as these could be significant indicators of distress or illness.<\/p> Donkeys\u00a0display different signs and symptoms of pain and illness compared to horses. Donkey pain behaviour is\u00a0different, in that donkeys don\u2019t have a higher pain tolerance, or feel less pain, but they do exhibit less pain related behaviours compared to horses.\u00a0<\/p> So,\u00a0their signs and symptoms of illness can be much more\u00a0subtle\u00a0and they can mask the earlier, and even advanced, stages of illness.\u00a0<\/p> Donkeys have different clinical baselines compared to horses, particularly in their temperature, pulse, and respiration rates. It’s important to know the\u00a0typical\u00a0baseline for\u00a0each individual animal, making it easier to identify when one is unwell.\u00a0<\/p> Below is a table comparing donkey and horse temperature, pulse and respiration rate ranges.\u00a0<\/p>How to tell if your donkey is stressed, ill or in pain<\/h2>