Clinical approach to the dull donkey

The ‘dull donkey’ is a general descriptive term used by owners and clinicians to identify a donkey presenting with varying degrees of depression, dullness and inappetence. These cases can be frustrating to diagnose and manage successfully. This article provides an overview of the most common causes of dullness in donkeys in the UK and suggests appropriate first-line diagnostic and treatment options. It should be appreciated that, in many cases, dull donkeys may be very sick and may require high levels of intervention to recover. Such cases should be seen as priority patients.