Abstract:
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015 on donkeys presented to Gondar
veterinary clinic for any health problems with the aims of identifying common donkey health
problems. Potential risk factors for the occurrence of the most common health problem, colic, was
also assessed. A total of 86 sick donkeys were presented to the clinic. The overall prevalence of
gastro intestinal diseases were 38.4% (N=33) followed by musculo skeletal diseases 26.7% (N=27),
non specific spticemic diseases 9.3%(N=8), skin diseases 7.0%(N=6), respiratory 5.8%(N=5),
reproductive 3.5%(N=3), ophthalmic 4,7%(N=4) and nervous system 2.3%(N=2). Out of the gastro
intestinal disease condition, colic was the most common and it accounted 69.7% (N=23) followed
by gastrointestinal parasitism 27.2 %( N=9). The occurrence of this common disease (colic) was
associated with origin of the animal and abrupt feed change. Higher occurrence of colic was noticed
on donkeys from urban area (40%) than rural (19.7%) and those exposed to abrupt feed change
(94.4%) than those not exposed to abrupt feed change (7.4%). However, the occurrence of colic is
not associated with feed type, body condition score, sex and age. Generally, a wide range of diseases
were identified in the current study and the study has clearly indicated colic as a prevailing health
problem of donkeys in Gondar veterinary clinic. Hence, implementing comprehensive waste
disposal, health and feeding management should be practiced and further studies should be
conducted to identify cause of non specific general health problems.
Key words: Common health problems, Donkeys, Ethiopia, Gondar Risk Factors.
