Publications (25) View all
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Article: Case control study to investigate risk factors for impaction colic in donkeys in the UK.
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ABSTRACT: Impaction colic is the single most common type of colic diagnosed in a large population of donkeys (more than 2000 animals) at The Donkey Sanctuary, UK and the fatality rate from the disease is high. Here we identify risk factors for impaction colic in this population during 2006 using an unmatched case control study. There were 71 cases of impaction colic and multivariable analysis identified a number of variables associated with the disease. Management factors that increased the risk of impaction included paper bedding, feeding of concentrates, limited access to pasture and increasing number of carers. In addition health variables that were associated with an increased risk of impaction colic were weight loss, recent vaccination and a number of dental abnormalities. This study has identified variables which may help to identify donkeys at high risk of impaction colic; those with a history of weight loss and with concurrent dental pathology. Furthermore the study has also identified a number of variables that may be targeted to reduce the incidence of impaction colic in this donkey population, such as modification of concentrate feeding practices and pasture access.Preventive Veterinary Medicine 09/2009; 92(3):179-87. · 2.05 Impact Factor -
Article: Morphology and diagnosis of some fourth-stage larvae of cyathostomines (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) in donkeys Equus asinus L. from Ethiopia.
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ABSTRACT: Fourth-stage larvae of four species of the Cyathostominae Nicoll, 1927 parasitic in donkeys Equus asinus L. from Ethiopia were identified mainly using moulting specimens. They are Cylicocyclus asini Matthee, Krecek & Gibbons, 2001, C. auriculatus (Looss, 1900) Chaves, 1930, Cyathostomum tetracanthum (Mehlis, 1831) Molin, 1861 (sensu Looss, 1900) and Cylindropharynx brevicauda Leiper, 1911. The larva of Cylicocyclus asini is similar to those of C. nassatus (Looss, 1900) Chaves, 1930 and C. leptostomum Kotlán, 1920, but differs from the former by the shape of the dorsal tooth in the oesophageal funnel, which is notably smaller than in C. asini but similar to that of C. leptostomum. However, the larva of C. asini differs from that of C. leptostomum in the size of the buccal capsule, which is notably larger than in C. leptostomum but similar to that of C. nassatus. The larva of C. auriculatus is very similar to that of C. insigne (Boulenger, 1917) Chaves, 1930. The larva of Cyathostomum tetracanthum is similar to those of Cylicostephanus bidentatus (Ihle, 1925) Lichtenfels, 1975, C. goldi (Boulenger, 1917) Lichtenfels, 1975 and Cyathostomum catinatum Looss, 1900. The larva of Cylindropharynx brevicauda is similar to that of Petrovinema skrjabini (Ershov, 1930) Ershov, 1943 but smaller in size. Including the four cyathostomine species identified in the present study, 36 species belonging to 13 genera have so far been described and identified of a total of 64 recognised and confirmed species of equine strongyles.Systematic Parasitology 02/2009; 72(1):1-13. · 1.25 Impact Factor -
Article: Epidemiology of impaction colic in donkeys in the UK.
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ABSTRACT: Colic (abdominal pain) is a clinical condition of serious concern affecting the welfare and survival of donkeys at the Donkey Sanctuary in the UK. One of the most commonly reported causes is due to impacted ingesta in the large intestine ("impaction colic"). However little is known about the incidence of, or risk factors for, this condition. Here we describe the epidemiology of colic in donkeys, specifically impaction colic. We focus on temporal aspects of the disease and we identify environmental and management related risk factors for impaction colic in UK donkeys. There were 807 colic episodes in the population of 4596 donkeys between January 1st 2000 and March 31st 2005. The majority (54.8%) of episodes were due to a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of impaction of the gastrointestinal tract. The mortality risk for all colics (51.1%) was higher than reported in other equids. The incidence rate of all colics (5.9 episodes per 100 donkeys per year) and of impaction colic (3.2 episodes) was similar to that in horses. A retrospective matched case-control study of all impaction colics from January 2003 (193) indicated that older donkeys, those fed extra rations and those that previously suffered colic were at increased risk of impaction. Lighter body weight, musculo-skeletal problems, farm and dental disease were also significantly associated with a diagnosis of impaction colic. To our knowledge this is the first study to estimate the incidence rate of colic in a large population of donkeys in the UK. In contrast to other equids, impaction was the most commonly reported cause of colic. We identified several risk factors for impaction colic. Increasing age, extra rations and previous colic are known risk factors for colic in other equids. Results support the hypothesis that dental disease is associated with impaction colic. Musculo-skeletal problems may be associated with colic for various reasons including change in amount of exercise or time at pasture. Other associated factors (weight and farm) are the subject of further research. Identification of risk factors for impaction colic may highlight high risk donkeys and may allow intervention strategies to be introduced to reduce the incidence of the disease.BMC Veterinary Research 02/2007; 3:1. · 2.00 Impact Factor -
Article: Selected health and management issues facing working donkeys presented for veterinary treatment in rural Mexico: some possible risk factors and potential intervention strategies.
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ABSTRACT: The examination of 216 donkeys presented for treatment at the Donkey Sanctuary-World Horse Welfare-Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico mobile clinics revealed a number of health and welfare problems. A general overview of the donkeys' health was made and showed that the median body condition score (BCS) in this population was 2.5. Underweight animals only accounted for 26% of the population. Females, 0-5-year-olds and >21-year-olds, were more likely to be underweight. When analysed, there was no correlation between faecal worm egg count (FEC) and BCS. The prevalence of strongyle infection as assessed by FEC was shown to be 80% with a median FEC of 600 eggs per gramme. Donkeys were assessed for body lesions and showed a high prevalence (71%), particularly in the facial region (54%). Analysis showed that mature animals (6-15 years old) were at increased risk of body lesions compared to older animals (16+ years old) as were donkeys with dental disease and those in particular villages. Risk factor analysis for lesions of the face showed that stallions and geldings are at increased risk as were donkeys wearing halters made from nylon rope. This study has identified areas for further investigation and potential areas where targeted interventions may be made to improve the health and welfare of working donkeys in Mexico.Tropical Animal Health and Production 09/2009; 42(4):597-605. · 1.12 Impact Factor -
Article: Vaccination of sarcoid-bearing donkeys with chimeric virus-like particles of bovine papillomavirus type 1.
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ABSTRACT: Equine sarcoids are fibroblastic skin tumours affecting equids worldwide. While the pathogenesis is not entirely understood, infection with bovine papillomavirus (BPV) type 1 (and less commonly type 2) has been implicated as a major factor in the disease process. Sarcoids very seldom regress and in fact often recrudesce following therapy. Nothing is known about the immune response of the equine host to BPV. Given that the viral genes are expressed in sarcoids, it is reasonable to assume that vaccination of animals against the expressed viral proteins would lead to the induction of an immune response against the antigens and possible tumour rejection. To this end we vaccinated sarcoid-bearing donkeys in a placebo-controlled trial using chimeric virus-like particles (CVLPs) comprising BPV-1 L1 and E7 proteins. The results show a tendency towards enhanced tumour regression and reduced progression in the vaccinated group compared to control animals. Although promising, further studies are required with larger animal groups to definitely conclude that vaccination with CVLPs is a potential therapy for the induction of sarcoid regression.Journal of General Virology 02/2008; 89(Pt 1):148-57. · 3.36 Impact Factor
