Elmo the mule, aged 9, is a popular resident at our Axnoller Farm in Dorset. After his grooms noticed a change in his behaviour, our Veterinary team went in to investigate.
Recently, while out in the field, our grooms noticed that Elmo was standing up and sitting down a lot more than usual. Changes in behaviour may indicate underlying health issues, so the team called out the Veterinary Department to investigate.
Jamie Forrest, Intern Veterinary Surgeon at The Donkey Sanctuary, says: “Despite being very bright, it was obvious Elmo was not quite his usual self.
“The grooms acted very quickly and brought him inside to be examined. Recent changes in the weather can be enough to trigger episodes of colic in donkeys and mules, so he needed to be seen quickly to assess how unwell he was.”
Elmo was given a fast-acting and short-lasting sedative to ensure the veterinary team could safely examine him.
The clinical exam found Elmo to be well hydrated and to have a normal heart rate, a good sign as increases in heart rate can represent significant pain in equines.
After checking Elmo for any stomach problems, the team took a blood sample from Elmo to ensure that everything was okay.
The examinations helped the team diagnose Elmo was with a mild case of colic, a condition in donkeys and horses which presents as abdominal pain.
After he had come round from his sedation, his grooms fed him wet food to help lubricate his stomach before letting him back out to his field for further monitoring under their watchful eyes.
Thanks to the quick-acting grooms and the veterinary team, Elmo has since made a full recovery and is back to his usual self, with no further signs of colic.
