Although closely related, there are important differences in physiology and behaviour between the donkey and the horse that influence the presenting signs of certain conditions which affect both, especially abdominal pain or 'colic'. This chapter will discuss the possible causes, the approach to the diagnosis and the treatment of the common causes of colic in the donkey in the UK. Most consideration will be given to the treatment of the common gastrointestinal conditions causing colic. Surgical techniques are not described and standard equine surgical textbooks should be referred to if surgery is intended. Indications for exploratory laparotomy are described in Chapter 16.
Chapter number
3
Start page
37
End page
51