Donkeys evolved from the desert.  Donkeys living in the U.S.A. are being overfed and fed the wrong foods. Once the neck crest breaks completely over, nothing can be done to repair the neck. Insulin resistance, laminitis, and soon death. If you rescue an obese donkey, get a donkey vet fast.  Test for insulin resistance and for Cushing’s. You can save this donkey’s life. Diet changes everything in most cases. Test your hay and equine analytical lab in the USA to ensure 10% or lower in sugar and protein, no grain, create a donkey track, clean water, salt, and portion control with a slow feeder. 

Donkeys must live on a dry pasture or paddock for most of their lives. If we feed the wrong foods, such as alfalfa hay, apples, pears, cookies, oats, bread, or munching all day on grass, brush, and trees, we will see this in our donkey’s neck. Not to mention death. Death comes next as the donkey evolved from the desert, the donkey was created to live on low sugar/protein hay, clean water. Round bales for the donkey will cause this, too! Hay should be measured and controlled as the donkey evolved from the desert.

Laminitis is a condition in which there is inflammation in the laminae of the foot that connects the pedal bone to the hoof wall. This can progress to rotation or sinking of the pedal bone within the foot. The cause is not fully understood, and many factors are involved, but obese animals are more prone to develop the disease.”

Equine Metabolic Syndrome: Overweight donkeys often develop a fat, crest neck and fat pads around their tail base. When this occurs, the donkey can develop a metabolic disease called ‘Equine Metabolic Syndrome.’ This causes insulin resistance and increased blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in the bloodstream. In equids, this can lead to recurrent episodes of laminitis or founder. This disease involves inflammation of the feet’s white lining or laminar junctions, extreme foot pain, difficulty walking, and chronic abscesses. In severe cases, this is death for the donkey.

Cushing’s

Select What Is Cushing’s

Hyperlipaemia is a condition in which triglycerides (fats) are released into circulation. If not treated rapidly, it can result in organ failure and death. The early signs of dullness and reduced appetite can be difficult to detect. Hyperlipaemia can be triggered by anything that reduces food intake, such as stress, transport, and dental disease.

Causes of hyperlipaemia

Several risk factors have been identified as contributing to this condition. It is known that a female donkey is at higher risk than a male, especially when there are high energy demands, such as if she is pregnant or lactating. Overweight and obese animals are at higher risk than those in average condition, but even thin donkeys are at risk. Donkeys that have lost significant weight in the preceding weeks should be monitored carefully as they are at a much higher risk of developing this disease. When managing your donkey’s weight, care should be taken not to starve your donkey, as this will put your donkey at risk.

Stress will cause a donkey to reduce its feed intake and can be brought on by many stressors, such as:

• Pain
• Removal or death of buddy
• Diet Change
• Transport
• Living With Another Animal Who Is A Predator
• Bad weather
• Sickness
• Forced To Live A Life With Constant Stress And Abuse

Action Plan To Lose Weight – DO NOT STOP FEEDING THE DONKEY.

1. Build pastures made for exercise and a track.
2. Thyro-L can help with tested hay with low sugar/protein, no pasture or brush to eat, and portion control.
3. Ask your vet to do blood work on insulin resistance or Cushing’s
4. Have the equine vet dentist come out and examine the donkey’s teeth yearly. Fecal sampling spring and summer.
5. Engage in an exercise routine
6. Take Your Donkey For Walks
7. Make Sure Your Donkey Has Toys and A Buddy To Play With
8. Clean Water, warm, clean water in winter, and calm, clean water in summer.
9. Test Your Hay 10% Or Lower In Sugar and Protein – Measure for portion control.
10. No treats, sweets, bread, alfalfa, oats, vitamins, or supplements are needed. Do give lose-free salt with minerals.