Retrospective case-control study using database records.
To describe and determine the prevalence of hyperlipaemia in a population of donkeys and to determine risk factors for the development of the disease.
A total of 449 clinical cases of hyperlipemia were reported over a 4 year period, with an associated mortality rate of 48.5%. Concurrent disease was present in 72% of donkeys and was the greatest risk factor (OR = 76.98); others included cardboard bedding (OR = 3.86), movement (OR = 3.94), weight loss (OR = 6.4), dental disease (OR = 1.73), and concentrate feeding (OR = 1.87).
This study shows that this population of donkeys in the UK often develops hyperlipemia, particularly in response to stress or primary illness, and provides useful insights in to health and management risk factors that may be addressed to decrease the risk of hyperlipaemia both in the study population and in other similar donkey populations.