Remembering Spike the donkey

Spike was suffering from bleeding abrasions around his eyes and extremely overgrown hooves when we rescued him in April 2021.

A concerned member of the public discovered the 20-year-old stallion and contacted the RSPCA.

The RSPCA then contacted us to assist with the situation. Senior Donkey Welfare Adviser Jenna Goldby visited the site alongside an RSPCA inspector the following day.

Upon arrival, she was shocked to see Spike's feet' in very poor condition.

Jenna says: "Spike was living in a large field, and it was immediately apparent that no one had trimmed his hooves for some time.

"As he approached us, his gait was abnormal, his hooves were overgrown, and the toes had started curling up towards the sky. He also had open abrasions around both eyes, attracting flies and causing him a great deal of discomfort."

Spike shared his field with a large pony called Pepsi, who showed classic signs of laminitis.

She was leaning back on the heels of her front feet to try and take the weight off the front of her toes and was visibly uncomfortable when she stood still. Her hooves were also significantly overgrown.

The pair had access to a run-down shelter filled with rusty farm machinery, corrugated iron sheets, and wooden trellising. There was no bedding, and the roof had fallen through in places.

Jenna says: "Donkeys don't have waterproof coats and therefore need access to a well maintained and ventilated shelter at all times.

"In this case, the shelter provided to Spike and Pepsi was not suitable for their needs."

Helping Spike 

The team called a vet to examine Spike and Pepsi, who determined that both animals were suffering and needed urgent veterinary intervention.

The animals were signed over to the care of the RSPCA and transported to a local holding base for further examination and treatment.

Sadly, X-rays taken at the holding base showed that the laminitic changes within Pepsi's hooves were irreversible.

Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, it wasn't possible to keep her comfortable, and it was decided that the kindest course of action would be to put her to sleep.

A vet and farrier worked collaboratively to take a radiograph and trim Spike's hooves, and the sores around his eyes were cleaned and treated.

He was also castrated and treated for worms, started on his vaccinations and had a dental check-up.

After Pepsi had been put to sleep, Spike was given a lot of additional care and love by his grooms.

Jenna explains: "Donkeys should have the company of their own species, but in Spike's case, he had lived with Pepsi for several years, and they had formed a bond.

"After Pepsi was put to sleep, it was important to ensure Spike had lots of care to help him through the grieving process. Donkeys are at risk of hyperlipaemia, a stress-related condition that a companion's death can bring on."

Shortly after Pepsi's passing, the RSPCA signed Spike into our care to ensure he had companions of his own kind and the best possible future.

Happy in Honiton 

We transported Spike to our Brookfield donkey hospital in Devon, where he formed a new bond with another donkey.

When ready to join other donkeys after his stay, Spike and his new friend went to Brookfield Farm, next to the hospital, where they met their new herd. 

Months passed, and all seemed well for Spike and his friend.

They would spend their days exploring the sanctuary, frolicking in the fields, and enjoying close attention from the team of dedicated grooms.

However, things changed when Spike started appearing listless and dull.

'A dull donkey is an emergency' 

Jenna says: "When a donkey like Spike appears disinterested and lethargic, this rings major alarm bells for us. At The Donkey Sanctuary, we have a saying – 'A dull donkey is an emergency'.

"Because of the donkeys' stoic nature, even a very minor behaviour change can indicate a serious problem."

Spike's grooms immediately picked up the change in his behaviour and contacted our vet, who rushed to his barn to conduct checks.

Jenna adds: "Unfortunately, the vet's findings immediately indicated that Spike was in an extremely bad way. It was suspected he was bleeding internally."

Despite Spike living within walking distance of the donkey hospital and surrounded by some of the UK's best donkey vets, this was sadly a situation that even the best medicine and professionals could not fix.

The internal complications within Spike's body were irreversible and, ultimately, would have been fatal. It was decided that the kindest course of action for Spike would be euthanasia.

James Forrest, Veterinary Surgeon at The Donkey Sanctuary, says: "While it was awful having to put a donkey to sleep who'd been through so much and we had become very attached to, it was a relief to be able to end his suffering.

"He was surrounded by a team who really cared for him."

Spike was led to a quiet corner of his barn, away from the hustle and bustle of his surroundings.

He was offered as many ginger biscuits and mints as he liked and given endless strokes, pats and scratches and told what a good boy he was.

To make Spike's last moments comfortable, he was put to sleep on a thick straw bed.

Jenna says: "We said goodbye to Spike, who was surrounded by his grooms. For me, he will be remembered for his inquisitiveness and the amount of trust he put into me, considering the amount of neglect he had suffered.

"Spike embodied the forgiving nature of donkeys whose lives have been tarnished by cruelty and neglect.

"As heartbreaking as it was, it was a privilege to ensure his final months were filled with comfort, companionship and love."