Perri commended for bravery at veterinary awards

Perri, who lives in Cornwall with his Guardian Helen and long-eared companion Olive, was leading a perfectly normal life when the shock diagnosis was made. 

Our Donkey Welfare Adviser Jenna Goldby discovered a small lump on Perri’s underside during a routine visit to Helen’s home last year and immediately called her local veterinary practice – Penmellyn Vets. 

Helen recalls: “Jenna said she thought the lump was a sarcoid, and the vet came straight out. Surgery was booked for a few weeks later. 

“Perri had showed no signs, he was acting like a typical donkey. He behaved normally with the farrier and pulled on Jenna’s coat when she arrived. I had no idea anything was wrong.” 

Jenna adds: “When doing Guardian visits, one of the things I always make a point to do is to thoroughly check male donkeys’ sheaths. Male donkeys are particularly prone to getting sarcoids in this area and they can easily be missed. 

“Although it is a slightly uncomfortable check to carry out, it is vitally important as a missed sarcoid can develop rapidly and even grow internally. If a sarcoid isn’t spotted and treated, they can grow to become inoperable. 

“In Perri’s case, this sarcoid was extremely aggressive. It had appeared and grown very rapidly, and it had also started to ulcerate and bleed. 

“I was quite shocked to find it, as my previous check on Perri was only a couple of months prior to this visit and there was absolutely nothing to be felt at that time.” 

A few weeks later, Helen enlisted the help of her neighbours to help load Perri and Olive onto a trailer and the pair were taken to Penmellyn Vets ahead the surgery. 

“Olive was fantastic,” Helen recalls. “She stayed with him when he had the operation, and the vets said she was so attentive. 

“She didn’t leave his side, despite being a naturally shy donkey. She became much more easy-going knowing her friend was poorly.” 

During the operation, Perri’s sarcoid was removed, with a further lump discovered and treated.  

A second surgery

Within three days of surgery, Perri was back on his feet, eating and drinking and behaving normally. 

However, just a few months later, Helen noticed another lump on Perri’s body, this time on his ear. 

Despite initially suspecting the lump was caused by a midge bite, Helen became concerned when she noticed it was pronounced on both sides of his ear. 

Her concerns grew once she felt another similar lump on his other ear, and she called Penmellyn Vets again – who confirmed her fears. 

This time, a procedure was set up to remove the top of Perri’s ears via laser surgery.  

An electrical cable was run from Helen’s neighbours’ house while Perri was sedated, and his head was gently rested on bales of straw. 

Helen says: “During the operation, Olive approached and gently rested her nose against Perri’s. 

“She had to wear a mask as the laser was so bright, but she would not leave Perri’s side.” 

Jenna adds: “The vet did an excellent job at removing the sarcoid while still retaining Perri’s natural ear shape. The operation was a complete success – Perri’s ears may be shorter but they no longer pose a risk to his health.” 

Braveheart Awards

Recently, Perri’s story was shared at Penmellyn Vets’ Braveheart Awards, which recognises the practice’s patients who have been through extensive surgery, long periods of hospitalisation or critical illness. 

“I cried when I received his nomination,” Helen says. “It was a lovely occasion, and Olive also got a special mention for being so amazing and standing by him.”