Rossi came to our Ivybridge sanctuary almost three years ago and has recently been diagnosed with lameness. Learn more about the measures we took to help him with his diagnosis.

Ivybridge donkey Rossi was recently diagnosed with lameness caused by a foot abscess and pedal osteitis. He needed a variety of treatments to put him on the road to recovery.

Despite efforts from staff trying to draw all the infection from his abscess using a poultice, his pedal bone became inflamed.

Pedal osteitis affects the lower edge of the pedal bone in the foot due to inflammation and can cause blood flow to change and the bone to begin thinning. It can also be difficult to reverse if not treated promptly.

Due to the aggressive nature of the infection, the fourteen-year-old donkey was prescribed a two-week course of antibiotics. The drugs started to work quickly and, in just 24 hours, there was a remarkable improvement in his lameness.

Our vets took another X-ray to assess the inflammation and to determine whether surgery would be necessary. Due to the significant improvement, our team deemed that he would continue with his iodine hot tub and poulticing and complete the rest of the course of antibiotics. At the same time, we used hydrogen peroxide to treat the site of the abscess.

Since finishing his antibiotics, Rossi has had the abscess site packed with iodine-soaked cotton wool to reduce the risk of contamination, and we wrapped his foot with vet wrap.

The sole of his foot would have softened due to being wrapped for several weeks, so we used an application of sugardine (granulated sugar with iodine) to help harden his foot in preparation for walking without the vet wrap.

He is now well on the road to recovery and has rejoined the herd out in the paddocks to enjoy the summer sunshine.