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Donkey Sanctuary Information Sheet

Science - Ourselves

Information Sheet No. 4 – Donkey ailments

Sweet itch is an allergic reaction to the Culicoides midge saliva, causing severe irritation leading to excess rubbing – especially in the mane and tail areas.  The reaction can be looked upon as similar to the reaction children have to head lice. 

Preventative measures can be taken by using garlic in the donkey’s feed, which will help to keep flies away.  The garlic odour, which is excreted through the skin, acts as a midge deterrent! 

At the Donkey Sanctuary, we also use Boett rugs, as a preventative measure against sweet itch, with great success.  The fibre, used to make the rugs, is so tightly woven it does not allow the midge to bite through the fabric.  Being light and breathable, the rug ensures the donkey keeps cool, whilst also lessening the chance of being bitten.

Donkeys also suffer from other ailments in common with children, i.e. colds and stomach ache.  Just as children visit the doctor to be immunised against measles, mumps and rubella, donkeys also have to be immunised and receive a ‘flu and tetanus vaccination. 

As donkeys are stoical animals, showing little symptoms of pain, colic (stomach ache/impaction) can be difficult to recognise.  Symptoms, if any, include lack of appetite, fidgetting, standing on their own, straining to pass faeces, flatulance and acting out of character.  Unlike children, donkeys cannot vomit, which is due to the inability to relax the cardiac sphincter. 

Treatments for colic include tranquilisers, pain relief drugs and careful oral administration of paraffin oil.