International animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary has produced new guidelines on how to recognise and prevent dental health problems in donkeys.
Dental disease is common in all equines but the charity warns that extra attention should be given to donkeys because they can suffer serious dental abnormalities without showing any signs commonly associated with the condition.
Dental Care Information for Owners is a free leaflet available online and in print and has been produced by The Donkey Sanctuary (co-sponsored by the Donkey Breed Society) to pass on the latest advice based on their own experiences in the care and management of donkeys.
The guide includes tips on identifying the signs of dental problems (including difficulty chewing, food packing and weight loss etc) and the definition, cause, consequence and solution for the most common dental conditions affecting donkeys.
The Donkey Sanctuary has two equine dental technicians (EDT) tending to the needs of thousands of resident donkeys. They recommend that dental examinations and treatment become a routine procedure for all donkeys from an early age.
Gemma Lilly, says: “Last year, we had a particularly severe case whereby there was no indication that anything was wrong with the donkey. She is in her early teens and was eating normally, overweight and outwardly happy and healthy. Unfortunately, upon a detailed examination of the mouth, there was a significant dental overgrowth which was penetrating the opposing jaw. The consequent infection of the bone and surrounding tissue was profound; this type of abnormality can have a serious impact on the donkey’s general health and is considered life threatening.”
Donkey Teeth Facts:
- Adult donkeys have between 36 and 44 teeth
- Donkeys have a finite amount of tooth with erupts over their lifetime, making regular dental checks an essential part of their health management programme
- The Sanctuary recommends at least an annual dental check by a BAEDT qualified equine vet or EDT
- Abnormalities of the teeth can lead to quidding, colic, dribbling, reluctance to eat, weight loss and in some cases sinusitis. It is important to remember that in many cases donkeys may not show any signs of event the most severe abnormalities