Donkey case method: 50 questions

7 a.m. on a November morning. A 12-year-old female miniature donkey (slightly overweight) has left almost all of the barley straw given last night. She is usually first to the feeder, but this morning she stands vacantly in a corner of the shelter with her ears slightly drooping. She does not seem feverish, and she has passed a small amount of droppings. The male she lives with is eating normally. Nothing unusual happened the day before.

What is the most appropriate first action for the owner?

1. Since she is overweight, treat this as a good chance to diet, cut her feed and watch
2. Put her favorite hay and water right in front of her; if she has not eaten for half a day or more, see the vet immediately and ask for blood tests
3. Give grain or sugary treats to perk her up and stimulate her appetite
4. It does not look like colic, so wait until tomorrow morning and call if she still is not eating

AnswerB. Put her favorite hay and water right in front of her; if she has not eaten for half a day or more, see the vet immediately and ask for blood tests

ExplanationIn donkeys, going off feed triggers hyperlipemia; overweight animals are especially at risk and can die within days if untreated. Being "just a bit off" can mean serious illness, so the rule is not eating = see the vet immediately. First offer favorite hay and water and check whether she eats; if she has not eaten for half a day or more, contact the vet the same day and ask for blood tests. Cutting feed accelerates the fasting and is the most dangerous option. Grain and treats raise the risk of laminitis and do nothing to address the cause of the lost appetite. Waiting until the next morning gives hyperlipemia time to progress.

IssuesDespite obesity being the biggest risk factor for hyperlipemia, there was a knowledge gap that could lead to mistaking "not eating" for a dieting opportunity. There was no routine morning and evening check of feed intake, which matters because donkeys hide illness.

ImprovementAt every feeding, record leftovers and eating speed, and share a family rule that half a day without eating means a vet visit. Manage obesity under the vet's guidance with a slow feeder and in-hand walking, losing weight gradually over several months. Never crash-diet or fast a donkey.

Late April. Two donkeys were turned out all day on lush, well-grown pasture for the first time. The next morning, the 8-year-old male is reluctant to walk to the feeder and stands with his front legs stretched forward and his weight shifted back. The front hooves feel distinctly hot to the touch and the pulse is strong. When walked, he takes short, painful-looking steps. The other donkey walks normally.

What is the most appropriate first action in this situation?

1. Walk him in hand for 30 minutes, thinking exercise will improve circulation
2. Mix human painkillers from the house into his hay for the pain
3. Keep him on pasture in the afternoon and call the farrier if it continues tomorrow
4. Stop the grass, move him to soft footing and keep him still, cool the hooves with cold water and see the vet the same day

AnswerD. Stop the grass, move him to soft footing and keep him still, cool the hooves with cold water and see the vet the same day

ExplanationWeight shifted back and hot hooves after unrestricted access to sugar-rich spring grass are classic laminitis; as it progresses, the pedal bone rotates and recovery becomes impossible. Immediately cut off grass and grain, move him to deep, soft bedding such as shavings, keep him still, cool the hooves with cold water and call the vet the same day. Walking him is the worst response, as it spreads damage inside the hoof. Human painkillers have unknown dosing and safety and mask pain so deterioration goes unnoticed. Continuing grazing until the next day keeps the sugar intake going and makes laminitis certain.

IssuesThe owner turned the donkeys out all day without knowing the basic rule that spring grass is high in sugar and donkeys need grazing limited to 1–2 hours a day. There was a poor understanding of donkey physiology: rich pasture is overnutrition for an animal from arid regions.

ImprovementIn spring and fall, limit green grazing to 1–2 hours a day and avoid mornings; otherwise keep them in a dry enclosure with barley straw. Feel the hooves daily for heat and check the gait, and keep up farrier trimming every 6–10 weeks. Have the vet record the laminitis episode in his history.

6 p.m. on an August evening. A 15-year-old standard female is lying in a corner of the pasture and will not move. When hay is placed in front of her she turns her head away. She is not rolling like a horse would; she just looks dull. The owner has a feeling there have been no droppings since morning but is not sure. Her water has barely gone down today. Yesterday the hay supplier changed and she was just switched to a new batch.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Remove feed but leave water, record whether and when she passed droppings, and contact the vet immediately
2. Decide it is not colic because she is not rolling like a horse and wait until morning
3. Force her up and keep her trotting around the pasture to get the gut moving
4. Give human painkillers from the house to relieve the pain, then watch

AnswerA. Remove feed but leave water, record whether and when she passed droppings, and contact the vet immediately

ExplanationUnlike horses, donkeys with colic do not roll; it shows as quiet changes such as not eating, lying down, dullness and no droppings. The sudden feed change is also a classic trigger. Remove feed to reduce the load on the gut, leave water, record the time of the last droppings and contact the vet immediately. Ruling out colic based on horse symptoms is the most common oversight with donkeys. Forcing her to keep walking causes dehydration and exhaustion, and human painkillers mask symptoms, delay diagnosis and have unknown safety in donkeys, so they must not be given.

IssuesThe hay batch was switched all at once, causing a sudden change in the gut. The owner did not know donkey colic looks different from horse colic and was at risk of judging "not rolling = mild." Droppings were not counted routinely.

ImprovementChange feed over 1–2 weeks by gradually mixing it with the old feed. Record the number and form of droppings daily, and see the vet the same day if there are none in a day. In summer, also record water consumption. Post the vet's after-hours number and the information to report (time of last droppings, feed changes, pregnancy or obesity).

February. A 22-year-old male miniature donkey. Over the past month the owner has noticed clumps of half-chewed hay lying around the feeder. He tilts his head and chews on one side while eating, and his breath has become strong. The amount he eats has not dropped much, but his hip bones seem more prominent. He is bright and moving around with his companion.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Put it down to age, leave it, and ask for advice if the weight loss worsens in spring
2. Switch his main feed to grain and compound feed to make up the weight
3. Suspect dental disease, book a vet dental exam within a few days, and record his intake and weight daily until then
4. Open his mouth and file down the sharp teeth yourself, then watch

AnswerC. Suspect dental disease, book a vet dental exam within a few days, and record his intake and weight daily until then

ExplanationQuidding (dropping chewed hay), chewing on one side, bad breath and weight loss are classic signs of dental disease. In older donkeys, worn teeth, sharp edges and root infections are common, and if left alone intake drops and can trigger hyperlipemia. If he is bright and eating it is not an emergency, but get a vet dental exam within a few days and maintain intake with softened hay until treatment. Leaving it because of age lets the weight loss progress and makes a sudden decline likely. Switching to a grain-based diet causes laminitis. Working on the teeth yourself causes mouth injuries and accidents; it requires specialist instruments and sedation.

IssuesThe annual dental check (twice a year for seniors) was not being done, and the clear sign of quidding went unnoticed for a month. There was little awareness that donkeys hide illness and can be seriously ill even when bright.

ImprovementMake dental checks twice a year routine for older donkeys, and watch for quidding, chewing pattern and bad breath at every feeding. Record weight monthly (an estimate from heart girth is fine). After dental treatment, consult the vet and supplement with finely chopped hay or soaked herbivore pellets.

Mid-June, on a morning after a week of rain. A 9-year-old standard female will not put her left front foot on the ground and hops along on three legs. She was normal until last night. When the hoof is lifted it feels hot, and the coronet is slightly swollen. There is no deformity of the leg and no bleeding. The pasture is muddy and the shelter floor is damp.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. It must be a fracture, so keep her still and discuss euthanasia with the vet
2. Move her to dry footing, wash the hoof and check for foreign objects, and have the vet or farrier examine her the same day
3. It usually clears up with walking, so let her walk around the mud and watch
4. Give human anti-inflammatory painkillers and call if the lameness continues for 2–3 days

AnswerB. Move her to dry footing, wash the hoof and check for foreign objects, and have the vet or farrier examine her the same day

ExplanationSudden severe lameness and a hot hoof after prolonged wet ground are classic for a hoof abscess or white line disease. With no deformity and a hot hoof, pus inside the hoof is more likely than a fracture. First move her to dry footing, wash the hoof and check for nails or stones, and have the vet or farrier drain the abscess the same day. Left alone, the pus breaks out at the coronet and healing takes much longer. Assuming a fracture and considering euthanasia is premature. Walking in mud spreads the infection. Human painkillers have unknown safety and mask pain, delaying detection.

IssuesMud and a damp floor were left as they were, ignoring the donkey's weak point that hooves absorb moisture easily. Hooves were not picked up and checked daily, so the signs were missed until the day before. Well-drained ground and shelter floor management were inadequate.

ImprovementMove the feeding and watering areas onto gravel or paving, and keep her in a stall with deep dry bedding during the rainy season. Pick up the hooves daily to check for stones, heat and odor, and never skip trimming every 6–10 weeks. Fence off low-lying areas of the pasture.

October. Two donkeys and one horse share the same pasture. The horse has had a dry cough for over a month that gets worse with exercise. Both donkeys have no cough or nasal discharge and are eating normally. The horse's vet said it was an allergy and prescribed an inhaler, but there is no improvement. Droppings in the pasture are cleared once a week in one go.

What is the most appropriate thing for the owner to do?

1. Decide the donkeys are unrelated since they have no symptoms, and continue only the horse's treatment
2. Suspect pneumonia in the donkeys and give all three animals the horse antibiotics in the house
3. Sell or rehome the donkeys immediately to separate them from the horse
4. Tell the vet the donkeys may be symptom-free lungworm carriers, and discuss fecal testing and a deworming plan for all three

AnswerD. Tell the vet the donkeys may be symptom-free lungworm carriers, and discuss fecal testing and a deworming plan for all three

ExplanationDonkeys infected with lungworm are often symptom-free, but when it spreads to a horse kept with them, the horse develops a persistent cough. The absence of symptoms in the donkeys is in fact typical of lungworm. Tell the vet the horse lives with donkeys and request fecal testing and planned deworming for all three. This is not an emergency, but it should be acted on within days. Treating it as unrelated leaves the horse's cough unresolved, and young or weak donkeys may start coughing too. Antibiotics do nothing against parasites and self-medicating is dangerous. Rehoming the donkeys solves nothing and causes separation stress for the remaining animal.

IssuesThe owner had not told the horse's vet that donkeys can carry lungworm, so the diagnosis was delayed for lack of information. Clearing droppings only once a week allowed reinfection by larvae. Deworming was being done without fecal testing.

ImprovementWhen keeping donkeys with horses, do fecal tests at introduction and draw up an annual deworming plan with the vet. Remove droppings from the pasture daily and rotate grazing areas between horses and donkeys. Always tell the vet what other animals are kept, and if any animal coughs for more than 2 weeks, test the whole herd.

A January cold snap with a morning temperature of −6°C. Thick ice has formed on the water bucket of two miniature donkeys. The surface froze yesterday too and was broken, but it probably froze over again by evening. This morning, the droppings of the 10-year-old female are small and hard, and there are only about half as many as yesterday. She has an appetite and is eating hay.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Break the ice, provide water that is not too cold and confirm she drinks; record droppings and see the vet if there is no improvement by the end of the day
2. She is eating hay, so assume she can get water from snow and ice and just watch
3. Give plenty of grain and fruit to get the gut moving and increase droppings
4. Pour human laxatives or cooking oil down her nose as a purgative

AnswerA. Break the ice, provide water that is not too cold and confirm she drinks; record droppings and see the vet if there is no improvement by the end of the day

ExplanationDonkeys drink 15–30 L of water a day, and a drop in intake is an early sign of colic (impaction colic). On a hay-based winter diet, water is especially easy to run short of. Break the ice, provide lukewarm water in several places, confirm she actually drinks, and record the number and consistency of droppings. If droppings do not return to normal by the end of the day, or she loses appetite or lies down, see the vet. Water from ice or snow is not enough, and donkeys will not drink water that is too cold. Grain and fruit risk laminitis and gut fermentation. Human laxatives or oil down the nose can cause aspiration pneumonia; it is a dangerous act and not the same as a vet's nasogastric tubing.

IssuesWinter water management consisted of breaking ice once a day, and the refreezing by evening was missed. The owner did not know reduced water intake is a warning sign of colic and risked dismissing the change in droppings. No insulation was in place for the water bucket.

ImprovementIn winter, break ice at least twice a day, and use an insulated bucket cover or heater, or provide lukewarm water twice a day. Move the water point out of the wind. Record the number and consistency of droppings every morning, and set a rule: if they halve, check drinking, and see the vet if there is no improvement by the end of the day.

March. The companion of a 14-year-old standard male was admitted to the veterinary hospital with a leg injury. The donkey left behind paced along the fence braying all night and has not touched his hay this morning. His water has not gone down either. His eyes look vacant; he reacts for a moment when called but quickly goes blank again. He is somewhat overweight.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. He is just lonely and will settle in 2–3 days, so ignore the braying and wait
2. The braying is bothering the neighbors, so put a muzzle on him to quiet him and then watch
3. Suspect hyperlipemia from separation stress, see the vet within half a day for blood tests, and bring other livestock up to the fence
4. Bringing his companion home will solve it, so stop the treatment and discharge the other donkey

AnswerC. Suspect hyperlipemia from separation stress, see the vet within half a day for blood tests, and bring other livestock up to the fence

ExplanationDonkeys are extremely attached to their companions; separation stress reduces appetite and triggers hyperlipemia. In overweight animals it progresses especially fast and can kill within days. If he has not eaten by morning, see the vet within half a day and catch it early with blood tests. In parallel, bring another donkey, horse or goat up to the fence to calm him. "Waiting for him to settle" is a fatal waste of time. A muzzle adds stress and blocks eating. Interrupting the companion's treatment harms both; the owner should have discussed with the vet taking both animals along for visits or admission.

IssuesNo one anticipated the separation stress of the donkey left behind at the time of admission, and a substitute companion or joint admission was not discussed with the vet. With an overweight animal at risk of hyperlipemia, there was no system for monitoring appetite under stress.

ImprovementFor vet visits or hospitalization, take both donkeys together whenever possible, or agree a plan with the vet in advance to place a substitute companion (goat, horse, etc.) at the fence. After any separation, check eating hourly and see the vet if he has not eaten for half a day. Reduce obesity gradually in normal times.

May. An 11-year-old standard female due to foal in 3 weeks. Since this morning she has eaten only half her usual feed, moves sluggishly and stands with her ears drooping back. She has no fever and is passing droppings. Nothing unusual happened the day before. The owner is starting to think, "It's late pregnancy, so a drop in appetite is probably normal."

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Reduced appetite in late pregnancy is normal, so quietly watch her until she foals
2. Treat late pregnancy as the highest risk for hyperlipemia: hand-feed whatever she will eat while contacting the vet the same day for blood tests
3. Increase high-calorie grain for the foal's sake to boost her nutrition
4. Judge it as lack of exercise and stimulate her appetite with a long in-hand walk

AnswerB. Treat late pregnancy as the highest risk for hyperlipemia: hand-feed whatever she will eat while contacting the vet the same day for blood tests

ExplanationFemales in late pregnancy or lactation have high energy demands; even a slight drop in appetite causes rapid breakdown of body fat and hyperlipemia. It is one of the highest-mortality situations in donkeys, and "leaving half" is already a red flag. Hand-feed favorite hay to keep intake up while contacting the vet the same day for blood tests and treatment. Watching and waiting because of pregnancy is the most dangerous option. A sudden increase in grain upsets digestion and raises the risk of laminitis, so nutrition must be managed under the vet's direction. Long exercise in late pregnancy is a heavy burden and does not address the cause of the poor appetite.

IssuesThe owner did not know late pregnancy is the peak risk period for hyperlipemia and was slipping into normalcy bias ("it's just pregnancy"). No plan for monitoring appetite or for emergency contact had been made with the vet before foaling.

ImprovementAs soon as pregnancy is confirmed, draw up a nutrition and monitoring plan with the vet through to foaling, and check eating at least three times a day in late pregnancy. Set a rule: if she leaves 20% or more of her feed, call immediately. Secure emergency contacts around foaling, a hospital that can run blood tests, and transport in advance.

After two days of cold November rain, a 6-year-old male miniature donkey has had a wet cough since morning, with yellow discharge from both nostrils. His breathing is somewhat fast and the base of his ears feels hot. His appetite is normal but he is sluggish. The female he lives with is fine. Part of the shelter roof is broken, rain was blowing in and the floor was damp.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Mix human cold medicine into his hay as a cough remedy and watch
2. He has an appetite, so keep him on pasture and see the vet if it is still going after a week
3. Heat the stall to over 30°C with a stove and restrict water so he can rest
4. Separate him from the other donkey and keep him warm in a dry stall; take his rectal temperature and see the vet the same day if it is over 38°C or his breathing is fast

AnswerD. Separate him from the other donkey and keep him warm in a dry stall; take his rectal temperature and see the vet the same day if it is over 38°C or his breathing is fast

ExplanationRain combined with cold wind is the environment donkeys cope with worst, and it leads to respiratory infections. With cough, nasal discharge and fever, separate him from other horses and donkeys and keep him warm in a dry stall sheltered from wind and rain. Take his rectal temperature; if it exceeds the normal upper limit of 37.8°C or his respiratory rate is raised (over 28/min), see the vet the same day. Since it may be infectious, prevent spread to the other animal as well. Human cold medicine can contain ingredients harmful to donkeys and is strictly off limits. Leaving it a week can progress to pneumonia. Overheating and restricting water raise the risk of dehydration and hyperlipemia, and poor ventilation worsens the respiratory tract.

IssuesThe broken shelter roof was left unrepaired and the donkey was kept on a damp floor with rain blowing in. Measures for the donkey's weak point of an oil-free coat that lets rain through (waterproof rug, dry floor) were inadequate, and the owner had neither a thermometer nor knowledge of normal values.

ImprovementBefore the autumn rains, inspect and repair the shelter roof and walls, and keep the floor deep and dry. Keep an animal thermometer on hand and share the normal values with the family: temperature 36.5–37.8°C, breathing 12–28/min. Towel-dry a rain-soaked body and use a waterproof rug if needed. Designate an isolation stall for sick animals.

September. A 9-year-old female miniature donkey was described as "obese" at a health check. As soon as the owner got home, he halved her hay, stopped turnout and kept her in the stall. On the morning of day three, she is not eating the hay she was given, stands vacantly and responds poorly when called. Her muzzle is dry and her droppings are scant. The male she lives with is eating normally.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Suspect the sudden feed restriction has caused hyperlipemia: immediately give free access to hay and see the vet the same day for blood tests
2. Judge that the diet is working well and continue the same amount for another week
3. If she is not eating she must lack nutrition, so give grain or molasses to make up the calories
4. She is just bored in the stall, so put her back on pasture and watch for a day

AnswerA. Suspect the sudden feed restriction has caused hyperlipemia: immediately give free access to hay and see the vet the same day for blood tests

ExplanationA sudden diet makes a donkey break down body fat rapidly and causes hyperlipemia. Halving feed, stopping turnout and the change of environment together are a classic trigger, and the vacant stare, not eating and dull responses are signs it is already under way. Immediately give free access to low-nutrient forage such as barley straw and see the vet the same day for blood tests and treatment. Reading this as the diet working is fatal. Grain and molasses disturb blood sugar and raise the risk of laminitis; they are used only under veterinary supervision. Returning her to pasture does not stop the progression if she still does not eat.

IssuesAfter being told she was obese, the owner cut feed drastically on his own judgment without asking the vet how to manage weight loss. He did not know donkey weight loss must be gradual over months, and did not monitor eating and demeanor during the diet.

ImprovementPlan weight loss with the vet, aiming for 1–2% of body weight per month by replacing feed with low-nutrient barley straw while keeping the total amount, and increasing in-hand walking. During the diet, record intake and demeanor daily, and stop and see the vet at the slightest drop in appetite. Do not separate her from her companion or change her environment.

February. A 7-year-old standard female keeps rubbing her neck and rump against the fence and trees, and the hair at the base of the mane and the dock of the tail is worn away so the skin shows. Parting the winter coat reveals fine dandruff and tiny moving things that look like insects. The male she lives with also rubs occasionally. Appetite and energy are normal. The owner has a flea spray for dogs.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Spray the dog flea spray over her whole body and watch
2. The itching is from winter dryness, so rub cooking oil on to moisturize
3. Suspect external parasites, consult the vet within a few days, keep brushes separate per animal and treat the companion at the same time
4. Do nothing, since the parasites will drop out with the spring molt

AnswerC. Suspect external parasites, consult the vet within a few days, keep brushes separate per animal and treat the companion at the same time

ExplanationItching, worn hair, dandruff and tiny insects when the winter coat thickens are classic for external parasites such as lice. If she is bright it is not an emergency, but get a vet diagnosis within a few days and have an appropriate parasiticide prescribed. It spreads to companions, so treat all animals at the same time and keep brushes and tack separate per animal and disinfected. Dog products have unknown safety and dosing for donkeys and can cause dermatitis or poisoning. Oil does not reduce parasites and fouls the coat, leading to dermatitis. Leaving it until the molt leads to secondary infection of the rubbed skin, and anemia can progress in weakened animals.

IssuesThere was no habit of checking the skin during daily brushing, so the itching went unnoticed until the hair wore away. A brush was likely shared between the two animals, creating an environment for cross-infection with parasites and ringworm. There was also a risky readiness to use products meant for other animals.

ImprovementDuring daily brushing, check the skin under the coat for dandruff, hair loss and parasites; give each animal its own brush and disinfect regularly. Have the vet check skin and parasites before winter, and use only parasiticides the vet prescribes as safe for donkeys. Quarantine any new animal on arrival.

A July morning. A donkey appears to have become tangled in old barbed wire left on the boundary with the neighboring field. A 5-year-old male miniature donkey has a laceration about 5 cm long just below the knee on his right front leg; the skin is peeled back and it keeps oozing blood. He is bearing weight on the leg and can walk. The wound is dirty with mud.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Pour plenty of rubbing alcohol into the wound to remove the mud, then turn him back out
2. Rinse the wound with clean water and press with a clean cloth; as a deep wound near a joint, see the vet the same day for suturing and tetanus prevention
3. He can walk, so judge it minor, apply over-the-counter ointment and watch for a week
4. Leave it unbandaged until it dries and spray insecticide directly on the wound to keep flies off

AnswerB. Rinse the wound with clean water and press with a clean cloth; as a deep wound near a joint, see the vet the same day for suturing and tetanus prevention

ExplanationBarbed-wire lacerations are heavily contaminated, and near a joint there is a risk the wound reaches the joint cavity or tendon sheath. Flush the mud out with clean running water, press with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding, and see the vet the same day for suturing and tetanus prevention. Being able to walk does not rule out joint infection. Alcohol damages tissue, makes him thrash from the pain and delays healing. Leaving it a week with over-the-counter ointment carries a high risk of infection and tetanus and misses the window for suturing. Spraying insecticide directly on a wound causes chemical tissue damage; keep flies off with a clean dressing.

IssuesThe owner knew old barbed wire remained on the pasture boundary but had not removed it. The basic rule that barbed wire is forbidden in donkey enclosures was disregarded, and there were no regular fence inspections for protruding nails, fittings and wire.

ImprovementRemove all barbed wire and replace it with wooden rails or electric fencing. Walk the fence line weekly to check for nails, fittings and sagging. Keep clean gauze, bandages, saline and a wash bottle in the first-aid kit, and confirm tetanus vaccination history with the vet.

An April evening, the day after fence repairs. A 13-year-old standard female is holding her right hind leg up and barely putting weight on it. When the hoof is lifted, the head of a nail is visible near the center of the sole and it appears to have gone in deep. There is little bleeding. She is calm, but when walked she is severely lame.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Pull the nail out immediately with pliers, disinfect the wound and turn her back out
2. After removing the nail it will heal on its own, so rest her in a dry stall for a week
3. She is in pain, so give human painkillers and call the farrier tomorrow morning
4. Do not pull the nail; photograph its position and depth, keep her still, and call the vet immediately to take over

AnswerD. Do not pull the nail; photograph its position and depth, keep her still, and call the vet immediately to take over

ExplanationA puncture near the center of the sole may well reach the pedal bone, deep flexor tendon or coffin joint, and the depth and direction of the nail are the key to diagnosis. If you pull it out yourself, the track is lost and deep infection cannot be found. Leave the nail in, photograph it, do not walk her, contact the vet immediately on the spot and let them handle it, including X-rays. Just pulling the nail, disinfecting and resting can lead to deep infection and loss of the hoof. Human painkillers have unknown dosing and are unsafe, and delaying the vet until the next day lets deep infection advance.

IssuesTools and nails were not collected after the fence repair, and checking the pasture after work was not a habit. The owner lacked the first-aid principle of not pulling out an embedded object and did not recognize that a hoof puncture is an emergency.

ImprovementAfter any work, count and collect nails, screws and wire, and walk the pasture with a magnetic sweeper. Pick up and check the hooves daily for foreign objects. Share the emergency rules with the family (do not pull out an embedded object, photograph it, keep the animal still) and post the vet's emergency number in the stall.

A September morning. A 10-year-old male miniature donkey is dragging his left front leg. Lifting the hoof shows a small hole in the sole oozing a little blood. A search of the area turns up a rusty nail lying in the pasture; it seems to have already come out. The hoof is slightly warm. He is eating hay, but looks painful when walked.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Wash the hoof with clean water, protect it with a clean bandage, do not walk him, and see the vet immediately for treatment including tetanus prevention
2. The hole is small and he has an appetite, so keep him on pasture and watch for a few days
3. Pour over-the-counter disinfectant into the hole and seal it with petroleum jelly
4. Widen the hole with pliers to let the pus out and give human antibiotics

AnswerA. Wash the hoof with clean water, protect it with a clean bandage, do not walk him, and see the vet immediately for treatment including tetanus prevention

ExplanationEven though the nail is out, the puncture track remains, and contamination from a rusty nail carries a high risk of tetanus. Wash the mud off the hoof with clean water, protect it with clean gauze and a bandage, do not walk him, and see the vet immediately for assessment of the depth, drainage and tetanus prevention. Even a small hole, if it reaches deep tissue, will turn to abscess within days, and continued turnout increases contamination. Sealing it creates ideal conditions for anaerobic tetanus bacteria. Widening the hole yourself causes tissue damage and spreads infection, and human antibiotics have unknown dosing and indications and are dangerous.

IssuesA rusty nail was lying in the pasture and no inspection or collection of foreign objects was being done. The owner tended to take appetite as a sign of a minor problem and lacked understanding that hoof punctures are emergencies and that tetanus is a real danger.

ImprovementWalk the pasture and stall floor once a week to pick up foreign objects, and always count and collect nails after fence repairs. Pick up and check the hooves daily. Discuss tetanus vaccination with the vet and keep records. Stock the first-aid kit with clean gauze, self-adhesive bandage and water for washing.

An August afternoon on a day of strong wind and blowing dust. An 8-year-old standard female is holding her right eye half closed with tears running down, and the eyelid is slightly swollen. She tries to rub her face with a front leg and rubs it against the fence. A branch sticks out at the shelter entrance. Flies are also gathering around the eye. The owner has over-the-counter eye drops for personal use.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Put in the human eye drops and watch for 2–3 days to see if the swelling goes down
2. Flush the eye forcefully with running water and open the eyelid with your fingers to remove any foreign body
3. Suspect a corneal injury, put a fly mask on her in the stall so she cannot rub, and see the vet the same day
4. Keep her on pasture and consult the vet after a week if the tearing does not stop

AnswerC. Suspect a corneal injury, put a fly mask on her in the stall so she cannot rub, and see the vet the same day

ExplanationSquinting, tearing and a swollen eyelid are classic for a corneal injury, with the dust and branch as likely causes. Corneal injuries ulcerate within days and can lead to blindness, so same-day vet care is the rule. Until then, keep her in a dim stall, protect the eye with a fly mask and watch that she does not rub. Some human eye drops contain steroids that worsen corneal injuries; using them without a diagnosis is dangerous. Forceful flushing and probing with fingers damage the cornea further. Leaving it a week can lead to deep ulceration or loss of the eye.

IssuesThe protruding branch at the shelter entrance was left in place and the donkey was not stabled on a dusty day, so environmental management was lacking. No fly mask was available, and the owner did not know eye symptoms call for a same-day vet visit. There was also a knowledge gap that could lead to using human medication.

ImprovementRegularly remove protruding objects and branches from the stall and pasture. Use a fly mask routinely in summer and keep her stabled on dusty or windy days. Share with the family that eye symptoms (squinting, tearing, swelling, cloudiness) mean a same-day vet visit, and never use human medication.

A January morning. A gentle slope in the pasture had frozen, and a 9-year-old male miniature donkey slipped and went down on his side. He got up on his own but is holding his left hind leg completely off the ground and bearing no weight on it at all. The leg looks bent outward about halfway down, and he reacts violently when it is touched. He is trembling, and his companion is standing close beside him.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Lead him to the stall on a lead rope to see if he can walk
2. Keep him where he is, secure level, non-slip footing, suspect a fracture and request an immediate vet farm call, and keep him warm with a blanket
3. Load him in the trailer and drive him to the animal hospital yourself
4. Splint the leg yourself with a board and cloth and watch until the next morning

AnswerB. Keep him where he is, secure level, non-slip footing, suspect a fracture and request an immediate vet farm call, and keep him warm with a blanket

ExplanationA leg that cannot bear weight and looks deformed strongly suggests a fracture. Moving him risks the bone fragments damaging blood vessels and skin and creating an open fracture, so keep him where he is and request an immediate farm call. Keeping his companion nearby and covering him with a blanket helps calm him. Walking him is the worst response. Loading an animal that cannot stand or use a leg into a trailer causes falls and secondary injury; the vet decides whether transport is possible. An amateur splint can cut off blood flow through improper pressure, and shock and secondary damage progress while treatment is delayed until morning.

IssuesA slope that freezes was left within the pasture, with no winter access restriction or anti-slip measures such as rubber mats. The owner lacked the first-aid principle of not moving an animal with a suspected fracture and the understanding that a farm call is the default rather than transport.

ImprovementIn winter, fence off slopes and ditches that freeze, and lay anti-slip rubber mats or sand on stall floors and walkways. Line up several vets who make farm calls and post their numbers in the stall. Share the family rule that "not bearing weight on a leg, or deformity" means an immediate farm call.

Early morning in May. A large dog running loose got into the pasture and chased a 6-year-old standard female until it bit her near the hock on her left hind leg. The dog was kicked and ran off. The wound is several small punctures with little bleeding, but the area is beginning to swell. She is agitated, sweating and breathing fast. Her companion is also agitated.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. There is little bleeding, so consider it minor, disinfect it, turn her back out and watch
2. Prioritize finding the dog and confronting its owner, and look at the donkey once she has calmed down
3. Seal the wound tightly with adhesive dressings as if stitching it closed, to prevent infection
4. Calm her down, then wash the wound with clean water and, as a bite wound near a joint, see the vet the same day for tetanus prevention

AnswerD. Calm her down, then wash the wound with clean water and, as a bite wound near a joint, see the vet the same day for tetanus prevention

ExplanationDog bites drive bacteria deep even through small punctures, and near a joint they readily cause joint infection. First calm her and her companion, wash the wound with clean water, and see the vet the same day for antibiotic treatment, tetanus prevention and assessment of the joint. Little bleeding is no guide to severity; left alone, swelling and pus develop within days. Deal with the dog later and prioritize treating the donkey. Sealing a bite wound creates conditions for anaerobic bacteria and tetanus and is contraindicated; bite wounds are generally left open to drain.

IssuesFence height and gaps were inadequate to keep dogs out, and there was no preparation for the fact that donkeys treat dogs as enemies and suffer severe stress when chased. The owner did not know that the appearance of a bite wound does not match its severity, or the danger of tetanus.

ImprovementClose gaps at the bottom of the fence that a dog could crawl under, keep track of loose dogs in the area and consult the municipal office. Plan tetanus vaccination with the vet. Make bite wounds a same-day vet visit, and after any agitation check eating and breathing rate hourly until she settles.

October. On the evening of the first day a newly acquired 4-year-old male miniature donkey was put in the same pasture as the resident 8-year-old female, there was a scuffle at the feeder and the newcomer was kicked on the outside of the forearm of his left front leg. It has swollen to the size of a fist, feels hot, and he is slightly lame. There is no break in the skin and no deformity of the leg. He can bear weight.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Separate the two, cool the swelling without walking him and observe; see the vet the same day if the lameness worsens or he stops bearing weight
2. Keep them in the same enclosure to get them used to each other and exercise him to improve circulation until the swelling goes down
3. Heat is good for swelling, so apply a hot towel compress and watch
4. Use human pain-relief patches and painkillers, and see the vet if the lameness lasts a week

AnswerA. Separate the two, cool the swelling without walking him and observe; see the vet the same day if the lameness worsens or he stops bearing weight

ExplanationA kick injury is mainly bruising under the skin; with no deformity and weight bearing, a fracture is unlikely, but a hairline crack or joint damage can show up later. First separate the two to prevent a repeat, cool the area with cold water or an ice pack without walking him, and check swelling and gait every half day. If the lameness worsens, he stops bearing weight or the heat is strong, see the vet the same day. Keeping them together to "get used to each other" invites another kick, and exercise spreads the swelling and bleeding. Heat in the acute phase increases swelling. Human patches and painkillers have unknown safety and lead to delayed vet care.

IssuesThe new animal was introduced straight into the same enclosure without an over-the-fence introduction, and with only one feeding spot the layout invited conflict. The owner did not know the basic rule of cooling a bruise in the acute phase or the criteria for a vet visit (not bearing weight, worsening).

ImprovementLet a newcomer get acquainted over the fence from an adjacent enclosure for 1–2 weeks before joining the others in a large pasture. Provide one more feeding and watering spot than the number of animals, spaced well apart. Keep ice packs in the first-aid kit and agree that bruises are managed by cooling, rest and observation.

A Sunday afternoon. A relative's 8-year-old child reached through the fence while showing treats from a pocket, and a 12-year-old standard male has bitten the child's forearm, sleeve and all, and will not let go. The child is screaming, and the father is shouting and trying to pull the child free. The donkey has his ears pinned back and is shifting his hind feet.

What is the most appropriate first action in this scene?

1. Join the father in pulling the child's arm free with all your strength
2. Hit the donkey's face with a stick or hand to make him open his mouth
3. Have the adults go quiet, call his name in a calm voice, and press lightly on his muzzle or show favorite hay to distract him
4. Let the child bear it and have everyone watch until the donkey lets go on his own

AnswerC. Have the adults go quiet, call his name in a calm voice, and press lightly on his muzzle or show favorite hay to distract him

ExplanationShouting at or hitting a biting donkey makes the bite harder out of fear and brings kicks. Pulling tears the skin and deepens the wound. First the adults go quiet, call his name in a calm voice to stop his movement, and press lightly on the muzzle with a free hand or show hay to distract him. Once he releases, move out of kicking range at once. Then rinse the child's wound under running water, apply pressure, and get medical care and tetanus prevention. Doing nothing and enduring deepens the wound and prolongs the child's pain. Work out why he bit (expectation of food and excitement) and prevent a repeat.

IssuesThe adults did not stop the child from showing treats and reaching through the fence. If the donkey is habitually hand-fed treats, he learns to associate hands with food and the biting is reinforced. The child was allowed contact without adult supervision, and no one knew what to do when bitten.

ImprovementChildren must always be accompanied by an adult; post a rule against reaching through the fence or offering treats. Give treats in a feed bucket, not by hand. Share the bite procedure with the family (do not hit, do not pull, call the name and distract) and be prepared for human first aid (rinse, pressure, medical care).

A March morning. A 7-year-old female miniature donkey had pushed her face into a shrub at the edge of the pasture, and her left upper eyelid is torn about 2 cm, with the skin hanging down and oozing blood. There is no obvious cloudiness of the eyeball and she can open the eye, but she keeps trying to rub her face on the fence. The owner cannot tell whether stitches are needed.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Cut off the hanging skin with scissors, disinfect and let it dry
2. Rinse gently with clean water and press softly with a clean cloth, stable her so she cannot rub, and see the vet the same day for suturing
3. There is little bleeding, so leave it and wait for a scab to form
4. Glue the eyelid together with over-the-counter superglue

AnswerB. Rinse gently with clean water and press softly with a clean cloth, stable her so she cannot rub, and see the vet the same day for suturing

ExplanationAn eyelid laceration that is not properly sutured heals deformed, fails to protect the cornea and leaves chronic corneal injury and tear problems. Hanging skin that still has a blood supply can be sutured back almost perfectly, so never cut it off. Rinse gently with clean water, press softly with a clean cloth, stable her to prevent rubbing and keep flies away, and see the vet the same day. Left alone it heals deformed, and it also breaks the rule that corneal injuries mean a same-day vet visit. Glue damages the eyeball and cornea and gets in the way of suturing.

IssuesShrubs and protruding branches in the pasture were left in place and dangerous spots where a donkey might push her face in were not removed. The owner did not understand that eyelid wounds leave more functional damage than they appear to, or that eye symptoms mean a same-day vet visit.

ImprovementRegularly inspect and remove branches, protruding objects and nails from the pasture and shelter. Share the rules that eye and eyelid injuries mean a same-day vet visit and hanging tissue is never cut off. Have a fly mask ready and use it to protect the eye after treatment. Check in advance whether the vet can perform eye procedures.

A June evening. An 11-year-old standard male put his right hind leg into the pasture drainage ditch and scrambled out in a panic. Since then he limps slightly with each step. There is no deformity of the leg and he can bear weight. The hock area is a little swollen and warm. He has an appetite and is grazing beside his companion. No wound is visible on the skin.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. It is mild, so increase in-hand walking to keep the joint moving and stop it stiffening
2. A fracture is likely, so splint the leg with a board and take him to the hospital in the trailer
3. Give human painkillers for the pain and turn him out as usual
4. Keep him in a level stall without walking, cool the swelling, and see the vet if there is no improvement by the next day, it worsens, or he stops bearing weight

AnswerD. Keep him in a level stall without walking, cool the swelling, and see the vet if there is no improvement by the next day, it worsens, or he stops bearing weight

ExplanationMild lameness with swelling and heat but no deformity and full weight bearing suggests a sprain. Keep him in a level, non-slip stall without walking, cool with cold water to reduce swelling, and observe for 24 hours. If there is no improvement, it worsens, he stops bearing weight or the joint swelling increases, see the vet the same day for assessment of bone and ligaments. Exercise spreads the damage. Splinting and transporting him yourself when there is no deformity invites improper pressure and falls in transit. Human painkillers have unknown safety and dosing and mask pain so deterioration is missed.

IssuesThe drainage ditch was left exposed in the pasture without a cover or fence. The owner had no criteria for distinguishing a sprain from a fracture (deformity, weight bearing) or for the observation period and vet-visit triggers (worsening, not bearing weight) for mild lameness.

ImprovementCover ditches in the pasture with grating or fence them off, and restrict access to steep slopes. Agree the rule for mild lameness: rest, cooling and 24-hour observation, with a vet visit if it worsens or he stops bearing weight. Watch his gait daily so his normal way of moving is familiar.

A September morning. A 5-year-old female miniature donkey pushed her head between the rails (about 15 cm apart) to reach grass in the next enclosure, and her ears and cheeks have caught so she cannot pull back. In a panic she backs up and twists her neck, thrashing. Her cheek is bleeding and her companion is running around her. The owner is alone, and the fence is wooden and screwed together.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Call her name in a calm voice to stop her moving, and without pulling her neck, unscrew the rail to widen the fence side before checking the wound
2. Push her rump forward to pass her head through to the other side, then pull it back out
3. Put a lead rope around her neck and have several people pull backward to force her out
4. She will work free as she thrashes, so wait while filming it

AnswerA. Call her name in a calm voice to stop her moving, and without pulling her neck, unscrew the rail to widen the fence side before checking the wound

ExplanationDonkeys stop and think when frightened, so the rule is to call her name calmly and stop her moving before acting. When the head is trapped, pulling the neck damages the cervical spine and airway, so dismantle and widen the fence side instead. If no tools are available, call the fire department. Once free, wash the cheek wound and apply pressure; if it is deep, see the vet the same day. Pushing her forward injures her ears and eyes further on the rails, and forcing her out by pulling causes neck injury or suffocation. Letting her thrash while waiting gives her time to twist her neck and injure herself severely.

IssuesThe 15 cm gap between rails was in the most dangerous range (over 5 cm and under 20 cm), where a head goes in but cannot come out. No thought was given to the donkey's habit of pushing her head through to reach neighboring grass, and when working alone there were no tools or means of calling the fire department to hand.

ImprovementMake all fence and gate gaps 5 cm or less, or 20 cm or more, and fix wire mesh between the rails. Remove the halter when turned out to reduce snagging. Keep a screwdriver, wrench and scissors near the enclosure, and carry a mobile phone when working alone. Add a buffer strip at the boundary to reduce the temptation of neighboring grass.

A November evening. A 10-year-old standard male pushed up the single latch on the gate with his nose and opened it, and both donkeys got out. One is in a nearby field, but a neighbor has phoned to say the other was walking toward the prefectural road. The sun is going down and cars pass occasionally. The owner is there alone.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Chase the donkey along the road by car, honking the horn to drive him back toward the pasture
2. Catch the one in the field first and wait for the one on the road to come home by himself
3. Contact the police and the Livestock Hygiene Service Center, safely secure the one in the field, use its braying to lure the one on the road, and warn passing traffic
4. Go out to the road, appeal for sightings on social media and wait until he is found

AnswerC. Contact the police and the Livestock Hygiene Service Center, safely secure the one in the field, use its braying to lure the one on the road, and warn passing traffic

ExplanationA donkey on a road is at risk of a traffic accident, so first call the police to secure traffic safety, and also notify the Livestock Hygiene Service Center since donkeys are covered by the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control. Donkeys are strongly attached to companions, so safely catching the one in the field and letting it bray in a safe spot near the road will bring the other back on its own. Chasing with a car or horn makes him freeze in fear or bolt unpredictably and causes accidents. Waiting for him to return is dangerous, and social media alone does not make the road safe.

IssuesThe owner did not know donkeys open latches with their noses and had not fitted a double lock. There was no evening patrol, and the owner did not know in advance who to contact in an escape (police, Livestock Hygiene Service Center) or the technique of luring with a companion's braying.

ImprovementFit gates with a double lock the donkey cannot open (such as a carabiner plus a padlock) and check them morning and evening. Save the escape contact list in the stall and on your phone. Keep a halter and lead rope to hand and train them to come when called. Ask neighbors in advance for help in an escape.

At a spring open day, a primary-school child in sneakers crouched beside the front leg of a miniature donkey (about 150 kg) to look at the hoof. The donkey, bothered by a fly, shifted its feet and is now standing with its weight on the top of the child's right foot. The child is screaming and the adults around are making a commotion. The donkey is startled and frozen in place.

What is the most appropriate first action in this scene?

1. Have several adults lift the donkey's leg and pull the child's foot out
2. Quiet the crowd, speak calmly from beside the shoulder while pushing the donkey's body sideways so it moves its own foot and frees the child
3. Slap the donkey's rump to startle it into running forward and off the foot
4. Have an adult grab the child and yank them free, leaving the donkey as it is

AnswerB. Quiet the crowd, speak calmly from beside the shoulder while pushing the donkey's body sideways so it moves its own foot and frees the child

ExplanationA startled donkey stops and freezes, and commotion makes it even less able to move. Quiet the crowd, stand beside the shoulder out of kicking range, speak calmly and push the body gently sideways, and it will shift its own foot. Once the foot is free, move the child away; if there is swelling, deformity or the child cannot walk, see an orthopedic doctor. A donkey is heavy enough to break a human foot, so do not take it lightly. Lifting the leg startles it into stepping down again, and slapping the rump makes it bolt and risks kicking bystanders. Yanking the child out tears the skin of the foot and prolongs the time under the hoof.

IssuesAt the open day a child was allowed to crouch at the donkey's feet without adult supervision or guidance on safety footwear. Participants were not told about the donkey's weight, the seriousness of being stepped on, or its habit of freezing when startled. Fly control was inadequate, so foot shifting was frequent.

ImprovementExplain in advance that visitors must not stand or crouch at the donkey's feet and that children must hold an adult's hand; handlers wear safety boots. When showing a hoof, the handler lifts it and children watch from outside the fence. In summer, reduce foot shifting with fly spray and a mask, and post the human first-aid steps (cooling, medical care).

An October morning. The owner was loading a 9-year-old standard female into the trailer for hoof trimming. The ramp was steep, had no non-slip mat and was wet with morning dew. She stopped partway up, and when pushed from behind her hind feet slipped and she fell off the side of the ramp to the ground. She got up at once but is dragging her left hind leg, and her flank is grazed and oozing blood. She is agitated and snorting, and her companion is braying in the pen.

What is the most appropriate first action in this situation?

1. Make her climb the ramp again and load her so the trimming appointment can go ahead
2. Shut her in the trailer until the agitation settles
3. Stop loading, calm her on level ground, check the leg and the graze, and request a farm call if the lameness persists
4. Her leg is moving so there is no problem; return her to pasture and watch for a few days

AnswerC. Stop loading, calm her on level ground, check the leg and the graze, and request a farm call if the lameness persists

ExplanationRight after a fall, agitation masks pain, and bone and ligament damage shows up later. First stop loading, stand her on level, non-slip ground, bring her companion close to calm her, and then check the leg for deformity, swelling and weight bearing, and inspect the graze. If the lameness persists, she will not bear weight or the wound is deep, request a farm call. Making her climb a steep ramp again risks another fall, and moving a lame animal spreads the damage. Shutting her in the trailer heightens her fear and she may thrash and injure herself further. Leaving it for days misses joint and tendon injuries.

IssuesThe ramp was steep, had no non-slip mat and was used wet. Although donkeys stop when frightened, the owner used force by pushing from behind, with no prior loading practice and no companion loaded alongside.

ImprovementUse a trailer with a low ramp, a non-slip mat and a dry surface. Load her together with her companion and practice regularly in normal times, leading with hay. Share the rules of waiting rather than pushing and stopping if she resists, and choose a farm call for any procedure that can be done at home.

A July evening. A 6-year-old male miniature donkey turned out with his halter on has caught the halter ring on a bolt protruding from a fence rail and is stuck with his neck pulled upward. He is bracing on his hind legs, tossing his head, breathing hard and showing the whites of his eyes. The owner is alone, with a knife and a mobile phone in a pocket.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Call his name in a calm voice to stop him moving, approach from the shoulder rather than in front of his head, and cut the halter strap with the knife
2. Hold his head down with both hands and wrestle with the buckle to unfasten it
3. Wait for him to free himself and film it to send to the vet
4. Slap his rump to make him lunge forward and tear free of the bolt

AnswerA. Call his name in a calm voice to stop him moving, approach from the shoulder rather than in front of his head, and cut the halter strap with the knife

ExplanationA donkey hung by the neck has a compressed airway, and the more he struggles the greater the risk of suffocation and cervical injury. First call his name calmly to stop him moving, approach from the shoulder, out of range of the tossing head and the hind feet, and cut the halter strap to free him. Holding his head and fighting the buckle leads to injury from head tossing and puts more strain on the neck. Just waiting risks suffocation, and slapping the rump makes him lunge, injuring his neck and kicking you. After release, check his breathing settles, and if there is neck swelling, abnormal breathing or difficulty swallowing, see the vet the same day.

IssuesThe basic rule of removing the halter when turned out was ignored, and the protruding bolt was missed in fence checks. The halter had no breakaway design, so the owner had not chosen a safe turnout halter either.

ImprovementRemove the halter when turned out; if one must be worn, use a breakaway type that releases under strong force. Walk the fence weekly to check for protruding bolts, nails and wire. Keep a knife or scissors that can cut a strap near the enclosure, and carry a mobile phone when working alone.

The morning after a September typhoon. At the edge of the pasture a power line hangs down from a pole, reaching almost to a puddle. A 13-year-old standard female is lying on her side beside that puddle, legs rigid and trembling in small jerks. Her companion is trying to approach. The ground is muddy; the owner is wearing rubber boots but no gloves.

What is the most appropriate first action in this scene?

1. Rush over and drag her out of the puddle with a lead rope
2. Push the power line aside with a wooden stick, then go to her and check her breathing
3. Move the companion away from the puddle first, then lift her up in your arms
4. Do not approach; call the power company and the fire department, keep the companion away, and call the vet once the power is confirmed off

AnswerD. Do not approach; call the power company and the fire department, keep the companion away, and call the vet once the power is confirmed off

ExplanationA downed power line and a puddle together are an electrocution scene, and current spreads widely through the muddy ground. Anyone who approaches, including the companion, will be electrocuted, so first call the power company and the fire department, move the companion away, and let no one approach until the power is confirmed off. Once it is safe, request a vet farm call; if she is still lying on her side, clear grass and foam from her mouth, secure the airway and keep her warm. Pulling with a lead rope or pushing the line aside with a stick gives no insulation in wet conditions and the person is electrocuted. Going in to rescue the companion first is dangerous for the same reason.

IssuesThe donkeys were turned out before the post-typhoon patrol checked the state of the power lines, and a puddle was left in a poorly drained low spot. The owner did not understand that electrocution scenes claim secondary victims and that the power must be cut before anyone approaches.

ImprovementAfter typhoons or strong winds, inspect power lines, fences and shelter before turning out. Improve drainage in low-lying parts of the pasture and never place feeding or watering points under power lines. Post the power company and fire department numbers in the stall, and share with the family that no one ever approaches an electrocution scene.

June. Torrential rain has flooded the low part of the pasture, and an 8-year-old female miniature donkey is stuck at the water's edge with her hind legs sunk belly-deep in mud. The water is up to her lower chest and it is still raining. She is not braying, just standing still, trembling, with her head hanging low. Her companion is braying on higher ground. The owners are a couple, with a rope and a light truck.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Tie a rope around her neck to the light truck and pull her out
2. Call the fire department for rescue, and from safe footing support her head above the water while breaking up the mud by hand to free her legs
3. The mud will be easier to get out of once it dries and firms up, so wait for the rain to stop
4. Bring her companion into the mud beside her and let it bray to rouse her

AnswerB. Call the fire department for rescue, and from safe footing support her head above the water while breaking up the mud by hand to free her legs

ExplanationA donkey stuck in mud and soaked in cold water weakens quickly from hypothermia and exhaustion, and if her head goes under she will drown. First call the fire department for rescue, then from footing where people will not sink, support her head above the water and break up the mud around her legs by hand or with a board to reduce suction. After rescue, towel her dry, keep her warm with a blanket, reunite her with her companion and contact the vet. Pulling by the neck with a vehicle causes cervical injury or suffocation. Her temperature drops while waiting for the rain to stop, and bringing the companion into the mud creates a second casualty.

IssuesLow-lying land that floods was included in the pasture, and despite the heavy-rain forecast the donkeys were not moved to high ground or the stall. There was little awareness that rescuing an animal from mud is dangerous for people and needs professional rescue, or that pulling by the neck is dangerous.

ImprovementFence off low-lying or flood-prone land, and move the donkeys to the stall or high ground in advance when heavy rain is forecast. Improve pasture drainage and know where water collects. Confirm the fire department's number and whether they have large-animal rescue experience, and keep blankets and towels for warming after a rescue.

A May afternoon. A 7-year-old standard male was tied to a tree with a long rope just while the fence was being repaired. On returning, the owner finds the rope wound many times around both front legs and the donkey lying on his side, unable to move. The skin of his fetlocks is rubbed red by the rope; his eyes are wide but he is not struggling. The rope is tied tightly at the base of the tree.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Pull hard on the end of the rope to try to undo the tangle
2. Get him to his feet first, then lift each leg to remove the rope
3. Speaking calmly, approach from his back, out of kicking range, cut the rope with scissors to free the legs, and check the rope burns
4. Wait for it to come undone by itself, leave water, and finish the fence repair

AnswerC. Speaking calmly, approach from his back, out of kicking range, cut the rope with scissors to free the legs, and check the rope burns

ExplanationRope tangled around the legs cuts off blood flow and tightens every time he struggles to stand. While he is quiet, speak calmly, approach from his back out of kicking range, and cut the rope with scissors or a knife to free the legs. Once free, let him stand on his own, wash the fetlock abrasions with clean water, and see the vet the same day if there is swelling or lameness. Pulling the rope tightens it and tears the skin, and forcing a downed donkey to stand makes him thrash and twist his legs. Left alone, the blocked blood flow causes tissue death, and the longer he lies down the worse the effects on digestion and breathing.

IssuesThe rope was long enough to tangle around the legs, and he was left tied and unwatched. The basic rule that even for a short time a donkey belongs in an enclosure or beside a companion was ignored, and tethering accidents (tangling, falling) were not anticipated.

ImprovementDuring work, put him in a temporary pen or the stall; if a rope must be used, keep it too short to wrap around the neck and keep him in sight at all times. Keep scissors that can cut rope near the enclosure. Use tethering only in emergencies, and share the rule that rope wound around a leg is cut, never pulled.

A December midday. The neighbors were pruning garden trees, and branches of an evergreen with fine needles and red berries had fallen over the fence into the pasture. The owner found an 8-year-old male miniature donkey chewing on the branches and hurriedly took them away. Needles remain in his mouth and the tips of several branches have been chewed. He is still standing normally and shows nothing unusual.

What is the most appropriate first action in this situation?

1. Consider it may be yew: even with no symptoms, contact the vet immediately with a branch in hand, keep him still, and watch his heart rate and breathing
2. It was only a small amount, so keep him on pasture and watch until tomorrow
3. Make him drink a large amount of salt water and put fingers in his mouth to induce vomiting
4. Give plenty of grain and water to fill the stomach and dilute the poison

AnswerA. Consider it may be yew: even with no symptoms, contact the vet immediately with a branch in hand, keep him still, and watch his heart rate and breathing

ExplanationAn evergreen branch with needles and red berries is very likely yew, a deadly poison that acts on the heart and can cause sudden death in donkeys even in small amounts. By the time symptoms appear it is too late, so even without symptoms contact the vet immediately, with part of the branch, and follow their instructions. Keep him calm and still and watch his heart rate (36–52/min) and breathing. Waiting until tomorrow loses the chance to treat. Donkeys cannot vomit; salt water or fingers cause aspiration and salt poisoning. Grain does not dilute the poison and only adds laminitis risk and digestive load.

IssuesThe owner did not know the neighbor's tree was yew and did not patrol the fence line during the pruning. There was a lack of knowledge about common toxic plants such as yew and azalea, and of the fact that donkeys cannot vomit, so inducing vomiting is useless and dangerous.

ImprovementIdentify the trees and shrubs around the pasture; if there is yew or azalea, arrange with the neighbor to keep it away from the fence or put up a cover so branches cannot fall in. Ask to be told when pruning is planned and check inside the fence afterward. Put up a photo list of toxic plants in the stall and agree that after any ingestion the rule is no vomiting, immediate call.

A July evening. A neighbor, meaning well, had thrown two buckets of lawn-mower clippings over the fence into the pasture. A 10-year-old standard female ate the pile greedily, and two hours later her belly is bloated, she is lying down, has stopped eating and looks dull. She has passed no droppings since evening. Her companion seems to have eaten only a little and is fine.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Clippings are the same as ordinary grass, so there is nothing to worry about; watch until morning
2. Pour human stomach medicine and cooking oil into her mouth to relieve the bloating
3. Force her up and trot her for an hour to release the gas
4. Clear away the remaining clippings but leave water, record the time of her last droppings and how much she ate, and contact the vet immediately

AnswerD. Clear away the remaining clippings but leave water, record the time of her last droppings and how much she ate, and contact the vet immediately

ExplanationA pile of freshly cut grass is already fermenting, and eating a lot in a short time causes rapid gas production in the gut, leading to colic and laminitis. Bloating, lying down, not eating and no droppings are classic donkey colic. Clear away the remaining clippings, leave water, record the time of the last droppings and the amount eaten, and contact the vet immediately. Waiting until morning can progress to a twisted gut or laminitis. Human stomach medicine or oil given by mouth risks aspiration pneumonia and has unknown safety in donkeys. Forced prolonged exercise causes dehydration and exhaustion; donkey colic is not resolved by walking as it may be in horses.

IssuesNeighbors had not been told not to feed anything over the fence, or that lawn clippings are dangerous. There was no habit of checking the feeding area in the evening for unfamiliar feed, so discovery came two hours later.

ImprovementPost a "Please do not feed" sign on the fence and explain to neighbors why clippings, bread and fruit are dangerous. Add a buffer strip at the pasture boundary to prevent things being thrown in. Check for foreign objects and unfamiliar feed on morning and evening rounds, and share the signs of colic and the vet's emergency number with the family.

Mid-October. A large oak in the corner of the pasture has dropped a huge number of acorns, and an 11-year-old female miniature donkey has been under the tree for hours with her head down, picking them up and eating them. Since yesterday her droppings have been slightly dark and soft, and this morning she seems to be drinking more. She still has an appetite for hay and looks bright. Her companion eats some occasionally too.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Acorns are natural tree nuts, so there is no problem; let her keep feeding under the tree
2. Fence off the area under the tree, collect and remove the fallen acorns, record droppings and water intake, and consult the vet the same day
3. Give human digestive medicine for the loose droppings and restrict water while watching
4. Give grain instead of acorns to stop her picking them up

AnswerB. Fence off the area under the tree, collect and remove the fallen acorns, record droppings and water intake, and consult the vet the same day

ExplanationAcorns are high in tannins, and eating a large amount causes enteritis and kidney damage. Dark, soft droppings and increased drinking suggest effects may already be starting. First fence off the area under the tree and collect and remove the fallen acorns. Record droppings and water intake, consult the vet the same day and have blood tests if needed. Leaving the acorns and letting her keep eating them lets kidney damage progress. Human digestive medicine has unknown safety in donkeys, and restricting water burdens the kidneys and can trigger colic. Grain raises the risk of laminitis.

IssuesThe owner did not know about the oak in the pasture or the danger of autumn acorns, and had not fenced off the tree during the acorn drop. Changes in dropping color and water intake were being taken lightly, risking a delayed decision to see the vet.

ImprovementKnow the tree species in and around the pasture, and in autumn fence off the area under oaks or collect acorns daily. Record dropping color and consistency and water intake daily, and agree that any change means a same-day consultation. Review a list of toxic plants with the vet and patrol in spring and autumn.

A February morning. The hay net in the stall is badly torn and part of the unraveled nylon string is missing. About 20 cm of string hangs from the mouth of a 12-year-old standard male, and the rest appears to run back into his mouth, swallowed. He is standing calmly but occasionally stretches his neck and makes swallowing motions. He has an appetite, but the owner is unsure whether to pull the string.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Slowly but firmly pull the string hanging from his mouth out
2. Cut off the visible part with scissors and watch for a few days, since the rest will pass with the droppings
3. Do not pull the string; record the length missing and the situation, contact the vet immediately, and give no food until instructed
4. Give large amounts of grain and water to wash the string down

AnswerC. Do not pull the string; record the length missing and the situation, contact the vet immediately, and give no food until instructed

ExplanationSwallowed string can saw through the gut if it catches, and pulling it from the mouth injures the esophagus and intestine. Do not touch the string; record the missing length and the time found, contact the vet immediately and let them decide on endoscopy or other treatment. Until then give no food, but leave water. Cutting the visible part and leaving it lets the rest travel into the gut, and a string obstruction is fatal. Trying to wash it down with grain worsens the obstruction and adds laminitis risk. Donkeys hide serious illness even when they have an appetite, so do not take his calm appearance as reassurance.

IssuesThe torn hay net was not replaced and the danger of the donkey chewing the unraveled string was overlooked. The owner did not know the basic rule of removing plastic, string and netting from the pasture, or the first-aid principle of never pulling swallowed string.

ImprovementInspect hay nets daily and replace them immediately if frayed or torn, choosing a sturdy fine-mesh type. Collect plastic, string and netting from the stall and pasture every morning. Post in the stall the rule that swallowed string is never pulled or cut, call immediately, along with the vet's emergency number.

An April afternoon. The azalea hedge on the boundary between the pasture and the garden is in flower, and the owner found a 5-year-old male miniature donkey eating the flowers and leaves through a gap in the fence. An hour later, foamy drool is hanging from his mouth, he repeatedly stretches his neck and makes swallowing motions, and he staggers when he walks. Feeling his heart rate at the chest, it seems slow and irregular. His companion did not eat any.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Suspect azalea poisoning: move him away from the hedge, keep him still, contact the vet immediately with the amount and time eaten, and watch his breathing and heart rate
2. Rinse his mouth out to stop the drooling, keep him on pasture and watch until tomorrow
3. Make him drink a lot of water and salt to induce vomiting, and walk him until he vomits
4. Feed grain and sugary treats to perk him up

AnswerA. Suspect azalea poisoning: move him away from the hedge, keep him still, contact the vet immediately with the amount and time eaten, and watch his breathing and heart rate

ExplanationThe toxin in azalea leaves and flowers acts on the nerves and heart, and drooling, swallowing motions, staggering and a slow heart rate are classic signs. Immediately move him away from the hedge, keep him still in a quiet place, contact the vet with the amount and time eaten and the state of the remaining branches, and watch his breathing and heart rate (normal 36–52/min) while waiting for the farm call. Watching until tomorrow risks sudden collapse from the effects on the heart. Donkeys cannot vomit, so salt water is useless and causes salt poisoning and aspiration, and walking him strains the heart. Grain and treats worsen symptoms and raise the risk of laminitis.

IssuesThe owner did not know there was azalea on the pasture boundary or that it is toxic, and left it within reach of the mouth through the fence gap. There was a lack of knowledge that the temptation is strongest in the spring flowering season, and that donkeys cannot vomit so inducing vomiting is dangerous.

ImprovementRemove toxic plants such as azalea and yew from around the pasture, or install a double fence so they are out of reach. Patrol for toxic plants in spring and autumn, paying special attention when they are in bud or flower. Put up a photo list of toxic plants and the vet's emergency number in the stall, and share the rule: after ingestion, keep still and call immediately.

August, 2 p.m., 37°C. The tree shade in the pasture will not reach until evening, and the shelter is airless and stifling. A 16-year-old standard male is standing in the sun with his head down, mouth open, breathing fast and shallow. His body is dry and his ears feel hot. The water in the bucket is warm with algae floating on it and has not gone down since midday. He staggers when he walks, and his companion is lying in a corner of the shelter.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Cool him rapidly by pouring large amounts of ice water over his head continuously and leaving a fan blowing on him
2. He is not drinking, so he cannot be dehydrated; wait until it cools down in the evening
3. There is no air conditioning in the stall, so load him in the trailer and drive around to cool him with the car's air conditioning
4. Move him to shade with a breeze, pour room-temperature water over his legs and body while fanning him, offer fresh water, and take his rectal temperature; see the vet the same day if it is high

AnswerD. Move him to shade with a breeze, pour room-temperature water over his legs and body while fanning him, offer fresh water, and take his rectal temperature; see the vet the same day if it is high

ExplanationFast shallow breathing, dry skin, staggering and hot ears are classic heatstroke; donkeys tolerate dry heat but not high heat with humidity and no air movement. First move him to shade with a breeze or a well-ventilated spot, pour room-temperature water over his legs and neck and fan him to cool by evaporation. Offer fresh water that is not too cold, take his rectal temperature, and if it stays above 38°C, he keeps staggering or his breathing does not settle, see the vet the same day. Ice water constricts the blood vessels, blocks heat loss and can cause shock. Waiting lets his temperature keep rising. A trailer becomes an oven and he worsens in transit, so cool him on site first and request a farm call.

IssuesOn a scorching day there was no shade or ventilated shelter, and the water was warm and full of algae so intake had dropped. The owner did not know water intake doubles in summer, that older animals cope poorly with heat, or the signs of heatstroke and how to cool an animal.

ImprovementProvide several shaded and sheltered spots in the pasture, and modify the shelter so air can flow through. In summer, change the water twice a day and place it in several spots, and exercise in the cool hours. Keep an animal thermometer and a hose for dousing on hand, and set a rule to bring them into the stall in the morning on days of 35°C or above.

A September evening. A large typhoon is forecast to hit directly tomorrow morning. The pasture where two donkeys are kept is low ground beside a river and flooded three years ago. The shelter is wooden and part of the roof is loose. A friend's stable on high ground is available, but it is a 30-minute drive and the trailer holds only one donkey. Wind and rain are expected to strengthen from tonight; for now it is only drizzling.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Donkeys are used to rain, so leave them in the pasture and consider moving them if it floods
2. Move both donkeys to the high-ground stable now, one trip each, taking hay, water buckets, regular medications and contact numbers
3. Shut the donkeys in the shelter, secure the door and check on them in the morning
4. Take only one donkey to high ground and leave the other in the pasture since there is no trailer for it

AnswerB. Move both donkeys to the high-ground stable now, one trip each, taking hay, water buckets, regular medications and contact numbers

ExplanationLow ground with a history of flooding and a shelter with a loose roof are dangerous places to leave donkeys in a typhoon. Now, before the wind and rain strengthen, is the only chance to move, so even if it takes one trip per donkey, get both to high ground together with hay, water, regular medications and the vet's number. A donkey's coat lets rain through and they are vulnerable to rain with cold wind, so "used to rain" is wrong. Once flooding starts the roads are dangerous too and moving is impossible. Shut in a shelter with a loose roof, they cannot escape if it collapses. Taking only one leaves the other with separation stress and loss of appetite, and the one moved will bray continuously.

IssuesA low-lying flood-prone pasture was kept without an evacuation destination or transport plan for typhoons and heavy rain. The only trailer could not carry both donkeys at once, and the shelter roof repair had been put off.

ImprovementDecide the evacuation destination and procedure in advance, and move during daylight the day before when a typhoon is forecast. Secure a means of transporting both at once or arrange cooperation with neighbors. Repair the shelter roof and fences before typhoon season and set up an emergency pen on high ground in the pasture. Prepare an evacuation kit (3 days of hay, water buckets, blankets, contact numbers).

2 a.m. in January. A strong earthquake (upper 5 on the Japanese intensity scale) has struck. In the dark of a power outage, a flashlight shows the shelter posts tilted, the roof about to come down, and part of the fence collapsed. Two miniature donkeys are standing frozen at the back of the shelter, trembling silently. Outside it is −2°C with light snow, and aftershocks continue. The owner is alone; the family is in the house.

What is the most appropriate first action in this scene?

1. Call their names calmly, lead them out one at a time by halter, build a temporary pen where nothing can collapse in an aftershock, keep the two together and cover them with blankets
2. It is dangerous with the aftershocks, so leave them in the shelter until morning and get them out when it is light
3. Separate the two into different safe spots and repair the fence first
4. It is dark and dangerous, so go back to the house and do nothing until the municipal office issues instructions

AnswerA. Call their names calmly, lead them out one at a time by halter, build a temporary pen where nothing can collapse in an aftershock, keep the two together and cover them with blankets

ExplanationA tilted shelter may collapse in an aftershock, and leaving them inside risks crushing. First make sure you are safe, then call their names calmly and lead them out one at a time by halter. Donkeys stop when frightened, so do not rush them. On level ground with nothing that can fall, build a temporary pen with rope or remaining fence panels, keep the two together, cover them with blankets or waterproof rugs, and put out water and hay. Waiting until morning risks death from both collapse and cold. Separating them causes separation stress and loss of appetite, and securing their lives comes before fence repairs. Waiting for official instructions lets the situation deteriorate.

IssuesThe earthquake resistance of the shelter and the strength of the fence had not been checked, and lighting for a power outage, materials for a temporary pen and blankets for warmth were not kept near the stall. The family had no agreed post-earthquake procedure (personal safety, evacuation spot, keep the two together).

ImprovementReinforce the shelter posts and roof and remove anything that could fall nearby. Keep a headlamp, rope, temporary fence panels, blankets and spare hay and water near the stall. Choose a flat, open spot in the pasture as the earthquake evacuation point, and arrange a way to secure water during a power outage.

A November evening after a full day of cold rain and strong wind at 4°C. The shelter entrance faces into the wind and rain blows in. A 20-year-old standard female is standing hunched in a corner of the pasture, soaked through. Her coat is wet to the skin, her whole body is trembling finely, and she responds poorly when called. She has not touched her hay. Her companion is dry at the back of the shelter.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Shivering shows the body is warming itself, so leave her in the pasture and watch
2. Heat the stall to over 30°C with a stove and pour hot water over her to warm her quickly
3. Move her to a dry stall sheltered from wind and rain, towel her off, keep her warm with a dry blanket or waterproof rug, and see the vet the same day if she does not eat
4. She is old, so poor cold tolerance is to be expected; leave hay out and wait until morning

AnswerC. Move her to a dry stall sheltered from wind and rain, towel her off, keep her warm with a dry blanket or waterproof rug, and see the vet the same day if she does not eat

ExplanationA donkey's coat has no oil and lets rain through, so cold rain combined with wind drops body temperature rapidly. Wet to the skin, shivering uncontrollably and responding poorly are signs of hypothermia, and older animals are especially at risk. First move her to a dry stall out of the wind and rain, towel off the water, cover her with a dry blanket or waterproof rug and keep her warm on deep bedding. Offer lukewarm water and hay, and if she does not eat, keeps shivering or remains dull, see the vet the same day. Left alone, the hypothermia progresses. Rapid warming or hot water causes sudden blood-pressure changes and burns. Waiting until morning because of her age is dangerous, since not eating triggers hyperlipemia.

IssuesThe shelter entrance faced into the wind and the rain blew in, and this was left unaddressed. No measures were in place for the donkey's weak points, a coat that lets rain through and vulnerability to rain with cold wind (waterproof rug, drying a wet body), and the older animal's needs were neglected.

ImprovementTurn the shelter entrance downwind or add a windbreak wall, and keep the floor deep and dry. When cold rain is forecast, stable them in advance, and towel-dry any wet animal. Provide a waterproof rug for older animals, and in winter check shivering, eating and responsiveness morning and evening. Keep an animal thermometer on hand.

Noon in August. A lightning strike caused a power outage that stopped the electric well pump, and the pasture, which has no mains water, has no water supply. The two donkeys' water bucket is about half full and the temperature is 34°C. The owner has been told the power will not be back until evening at the earliest. The donkeys are resting in the shade but keep going to the bucket. The house has a few bottles of drinking water and leftover bath water.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Half a bucket will last until evening, so wait for the power to return
2. Take away the hay and fast them until evening to reduce water consumption
3. Make up the shortfall with large amounts of fruit and watermelon for the water content
4. Fill the bucket with bath water or water from neighbors, keep them cool in the shade, and if restoration is delayed, prioritize drinking water and arrange to have water brought in

AnswerD. Fill the bucket with bath water or water from neighbors, keep them cool in the shade, and if restoration is delayed, prioritize drinking water and arrange to have water brought in

ExplanationDonkeys drink 15–30 L a day and twice that in summer. At 34°C with two donkeys, half a bucket is gone in a few hours, and reduced water intake leads to both heatstroke and colic. Use leftover bath water, a neighbor's tap, or a water supply from the fire department or municipal office to fill the bucket, and keep them cool in the shade. If restoration is delayed, arrange to bring water in jerry cans, making drinking water the top priority. Assuming half a bucket is enough badly underestimates consumption. Fasting triggers hyperlipemia, and water is needed regardless of hay. Large amounts of fruit cause laminitis and gut fermentation and are no substitute for water.

IssuesThe well pump was the only water source, with no backup for a power outage (storage tank, jerry cans, a neighbor's tap). There was little awareness that summer water intake doubles or that water shortage leads directly to heatstroke and colic in donkeys.

ImprovementKeep 3 days of water for two donkeys in a storage tank or jerry cans against power outages, and replace it regularly. Confirm neighbors' taps and the municipal water-supply contact, and consider a generator or battery-powered pump. In summer, record daily water intake, place several buckets, and check the level at midday too.

March. A 6-year-old standard female has several round bald patches about 3 cm across on her neck and shoulders, with crusty edges and some dandruff. She does not seem very itchy and her appetite is normal. A primary-school child visiting at the weekend stroked those patches repeatedly with bare hands. The brush is shared between the two donkeys, and a ring-shaped red rash is starting to appear on the child's wrist.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. It will clear up with the spring molt, so the child can keep touching her
2. Suspect ringworm: handle her with gloves, separate and disinfect brushes per animal, have the vet see her within a few days, and take the child to a dermatologist
3. Apply a dog skin medication to the bald patches and treat the child's rash with over-the-counter anti-itch cream
4. Isolate her completely from the other donkey for a month to prevent spread

AnswerB. Suspect ringworm: handle her with gloves, separate and disinfect brushes per animal, have the vet see her within a few days, and take the child to a dermatologist

ExplanationRound bald patches with crusting and dandruff, plus a ring-shaped rash on the person who touched them, strongly suggest ringworm (dermatophytosis). It is a zoonosis that spreads to people, especially children and the immunocompromised. If she is bright it is not an emergency, but have the vet diagnose and treat her within a few days, handle her with gloves, and separate and disinfect brushes and tack per animal. Take the child to a dermatologist. Letting the child keep touching her because "it will clear with the molt" spreads the infection. Self-treating with dog medication or over-the-counter products delays diagnosis. Complete isolation causes separation stress and hyperlipemia, so manage her within sight of her companion across a fence.

IssuesThe round bald patches were taken lightly without considering a zoonosis, and the child was allowed to touch them with bare hands. The brush was shared between the two donkeys, and basic hygiene such as hand washing after care and glove use was not in place.

ImprovementWhen you find hair loss or skin abnormalities, handle with gloves and keep children away until the cause is known. Give each animal its own brush and tack and disinfect regularly. Make hand washing after care a rule for family and visitors, and set up a hand-washing point near the stall. Find skin problems early through daily brushing.

May. A 3-week-old donkey foal has had watery yellow diarrhea since yesterday, and its rump and hind legs are soiled. The mother is well and has milk. The foal is nursing but is a little dull, and its eyes look slightly sunken. The owner, together with his pregnant wife and 3-year-old child, has been going back and forth between the mare-and-foal stall and the other donkeys' stall without changing boots.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Isolate the mother and foal in a separate stall, care for them last, disinfect boots and hands, keep the pregnant wife and toddler away, and have the vet see the foal the same day
2. Diarrhea in foals is normal, so as long as it is nursing there is no problem; watch for a few days
3. Give a human sports drink by bottle to prevent dehydration and stop the mother's milk for a while
4. Take the foal away from its mother and isolate it alone in a dry, warm stall

AnswerA. Isolate the mother and foal in a separate stall, care for them last, disinfect boots and hands, keep the pregnant wife and toddler away, and have the vet see the foal the same day

ExplanationWatery diarrhea in a foal may be cryptosporidium or salmonella, zoonoses that are dangerous to pregnant people, toddlers and the immunocompromised. Isolate the mother and foal in a separate stall, care for healthy animals first and the pair last, and disinfect boots and hands. Keep the wife and toddler away. Foals dehydrate fast, so with sunken eyes and dullness, have the vet see it the same day. Watching for days risks sudden collapse from dehydration. Human sports drinks have the wrong electrolyte balance, and stopping the milk cuts off nutrition and immunity. Separating the foal from its mother prevents nursing and causes severe stress to both.

IssuesThe owner did not know diarrhea is a source of zoonotic infection and moved between stalls without changing boots. There was no management of contact for the pregnant family member and toddler, and little awareness of how fast foals dehydrate.

ImprovementUse separate boots per stall or install a disinfectant footbath, and care for healthy animals before sick ones. Set a rule that pregnant people, toddlers and the elderly stay away from any animal with diarrhea, and enforce hand washing after care. Make foal diarrhea or dullness a same-day vet visit and ask the vet for fecal testing.

An October morning. Rat droppings are scattered in the shed where hay is stored and bags have been torn open. The puddle beside the shed and the stall floor show urine-wet marks, and the two donkeys sometimes drink from that puddle. The owner has a cut on the back of one hand and is about to clear the rat droppings bare-handed and scoop the mud out of the puddle with a bucket.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. The rat droppings are dry, so clear them bare-handed, and just fence off the puddle so the donkeys cannot drink from it
2. If the donkeys have been drinking from the puddle they must be immune, so there is no problem
3. Clean with gloves and rubber boots, fill in the puddle and improve drainage, move the feed to sealed containers for rodent control, and do not touch anything with a cut hand
4. Scatter rat poison widely around the shed and pasture to exterminate the rats

AnswerC. Clean with gloves and rubber boots, fill in the puddle and improve drainage, move the feed to sealed containers for rodent control, and do not touch anything with a cut hand

ExplanationWater and mud contaminated with rat urine are a source of leptospirosis, which infects people through broken skin and mucous membranes. Donkeys can also catch it by drinking contaminated water. Clean with gloves and rubber boots, and do not touch anything with a cut hand. Fill in the puddle, improve drainage, and provide clean water at all times so the donkeys do not drink from puddles. Move feed to sealed containers to keep rats out and block gaps in the shed. Cleaning bare-handed carries a high risk of infection, and the idea that drinking it builds immunity is wrong. Rat poison around the pasture risks the donkeys eating it, and dead rats are also a source of infection.

IssuesFeed was stored in its bags, attracting rats, and the puddle and poor drainage around the shed were neglected. The owner did not know the transmission routes of leptospirosis (urine-contaminated water and mud, broken skin), and the basic rule of gloves and boots for cleaning was not followed.

ImprovementStore hay and feed in sealed containers or metal bins and block gaps in the shed for rodent control. Fill in the puddle and move the water point onto gravel or paving. Clean with gloves and boots, and ask someone else to do it when you have a cut. Enforce hand washing after care, and tell the vet if a donkey develops fever or jaundice.

April. A 9-year-old standard male was taken on from a rescue organization. His history is unknown, and on the evening of the day he arrived he was put in the same pasture as the two resident donkeys, sharing the water bucket and hay net. Three days later the newcomer has soft diarrhea and a slight nasal discharge. The two residents are still well but drink from the same bucket as the newcomer. There are no records of deworming or fecal testing.

What is the most appropriate response in this situation?

1. Assume the newcomer has diarrhea just from the change of environment, keep them together and watch for a week
2. Rehome the newcomer within a few days to protect the two residents
3. Give all three the dewormer in the house at the same time and keep them together
4. Move the newcomer to an isolation stall where he can see the others across the fence, separate buckets and equipment, care for him last, and ask the vet for a fecal test and health check the same day

AnswerD. Move the newcomer to an isolation stall where he can see the others across the fence, separate buckets and equipment, care for him last, and ask the vet for a fecal test and health check the same day

ExplanationAn animal with an unknown history may bring in parasites or infectious disease, and the proper course is a quarantine period with fecal testing and a health check at introduction. Now that he has diarrhea and nasal discharge, move him to an isolation stall where he can see companions across the fence, separate the water bucket, hay net and brushes, care for him last, and ask the vet for a fecal test and examination the same day. Also watch the residents' droppings and appetite daily. Assuming it is just the change of environment and keeping them together spreads infection. Rehoming solves nothing and causes separation stress. Self-administered dewormer does nothing if it is an infectious disease; a plan based on fecal testing is needed.

IssuesNo quarantine period was set when the new animal was introduced, and he was put with the others the same day without a fecal test or health check. Sharing the bucket and equipment widened the chance of infection, and the risk of an animal with an unknown history was underestimated.

ImprovementHave a new animal vet-checked and fecal-tested before arrival, and keep him for 2–3 weeks in an isolation stall where he can see companions across the fence. Give each animal its own water bucket, hay net and brush, and care for the residents first. Plan deworming based on fecal test results and keep records.

6 a.m. on a November morning. An 18-year-old female miniature donkey is lying on her side in the stall with her legs stretched out and cannot get up. There is foam and grass around her mouth, her breathing is shallow and irregular, and when called her eyes move but she cannot lift her head. Half of last night's hay is left and there are few droppings. Her companion is pacing restlessly next to her. It is 3°C and the bedding is thin.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Have several people lift her rump and neck to force her up, and walk her to bring her round
2. Request an immediate vet farm call, extend her head and neck and clear the foam and grass from her mouth to secure the airway, count her breaths, keep her warm with a blanket and keep her companion close
3. Press hard on her chest in repeated cardiac massage and pour water into her mouth
4. She cannot get up because she is just sleeping, so come back in an hour

AnswerB. Request an immediate vet farm call, extend her head and neck and clear the foam and grass from her mouth to secure the airway, count her breaths, keep her warm with a blanket and keep her companion close

ExplanationLying down and unable to rise is an emergency that means calling the vet at once; donkeys are too heavy for chest compressions to be realistic, so an immediate farm call comes first. While waiting, extend the head and neck, clear foam and grass from the mouth, pull the tongue forward if needed to open the airway, and count breaths (normal 12–28/min). Keep her warm with a blanket, keep her companion close to calm her, and tell the vet when she last ate and passed droppings. Forcing her up risks a fall and fracture, pressing on the chest breaks ribs, and pouring water into the mouth causes aspiration pneumonia. Assuming she is just sleeping is the most dangerous choice; this may be end-stage hyperlipemia or colic.

IssuesWhen she ate only half her hay the previous evening, hyperlipemia or colic should have been suspected and the vet called, but it was missed until morning. The cold stall had thin bedding, temperature management for an older animal was inadequate, and the owner did not know the first aid for a recumbent animal (airway, warmth, farm call).

ImprovementRecord evening intake and set a rule that leaving half means calling the vet that night. In winter, deepen the bedding and provide a waterproof rug for older animals. Post the after-hours number of a vet who makes farm calls and the information to report in the stall, and share with the family the procedure for a recumbent donkey (farm call, airway, warmth, companion close).

A June afternoon. A fragment of corrugated metal sheet has cut deep into the inside of the left front leg of an 8-year-old standard male, and bright red blood is spurting in pulses. A pool of blood has formed on the ground, and he is holding the leg up and trembling. The owner has a clean towel and self-adhesive bandage; the vet has been reached by phone but says it will be 40 minutes before arrival.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Press hard on the wound with a clean towel without releasing for 5 minutes, bandage over it to keep pressure, and keep pressing while waiting for the vet
2. Tie a cord tightly around the top of the leg as a tourniquet and let the wound dry
3. Remove the towel repeatedly to check how the bleeding is going
4. Pack the wound with flour as a substitute for a clotting agent and walk him around the pasture to settle him

AnswerA. Press hard on the wound with a clean towel without releasing for 5 minutes, bandage over it to keep pressure, and keep pressing while waiting for the vet

ExplanationBright red blood spurting in pulses is arterial bleeding and can be life-threatening within a short time if left. Press hard on the wound with a clean towel and do not release for 5 minutes, bandage over it with self-adhesive bandage to maintain pressure, and keep pressing while waiting for the vet. If blood seeps through, do not remove the towel; add more on top. A tourniquet causes tissue death and nerve damage, so do not use one. Removing the towel repeatedly tears away the forming clot and restarts the bleeding. Foreign material such as flour causes infection and interferes with suturing, and walking raises blood pressure and increases bleeding. Speak calmly to the donkey, keep his companion close and do not move him.

IssuesA fragment of corrugated metal had been left in the pasture, and sharp metal was not being inspected for and removed. The owner did not know in advance how to recognize arterial bleeding or the principles of pressure hemostasis (do not release for 5 minutes, no tourniquet, add on top rather than remove), and risked panicking and repeatedly checking the wound.

ImprovementRemove metal fragments, glass and corrugated sheet from the pasture and around the shelter, and inspect weekly. Keep clean towels, gauze, self-adhesive bandage and water for washing in the first-aid kit. Print the pressure-hemostasis steps and post them in the stall, and line up several vets who make farm calls in case the vet is delayed.

9 p.m. in August. A 13-year-old male miniature donkey treated by the vet for colic during the day has started lying down and getting up repeatedly again this evening, and staggers when he stands. Lifting the upper lip shows whitish gums, and when pressed with a finger the color takes about 4 seconds to return. His ears and lower legs are cold and his breathing is fast. At midday the vet said, "Call at once if he gets worse."

What is the most appropriate action in this situation?

1. He was treated at midday, so wait until morning for the medication to work
2. Pour cold water over him to cool him down and walk him around the pasture to get the gut moving
3. Recognize the signs of shock, contact the vet immediately with the gum color, heart rate and breathing rate, keep him still and warm with a blanket and wait for the farm call
4. Give a double dose of the medication prescribed at midday to relieve the pain

AnswerC. Recognize the signs of shock, contact the vet immediately with the gum color, heart rate and breathing rate, keep him still and warm with a blanket and wait for the farm call

ExplanationWhite gums, capillary refill over 2 seconds, cold extremities, fast breathing and abdominal pain with repeated lying down and getting up are signs of shock, an emergency that means calling the vet at once. Contact the vet immediately, report the gum color and refill time, heart rate (normal 36–52/min) and breathing rate, and request a farm call. While waiting, keep him still and warm with a blanket and keep his companion close. Waiting until morning lets shock progress beyond saving. Cold water lowers body temperature and worsens shock, and walking adds strain. Extra or double doses must never be given without the vet's instruction; increasing painkillers masks symptoms and hinders diagnosis.

IssuesAfter the colic treatment, no overnight monitoring plan or concrete criteria for deterioration (gum color, heart rate, breathing) had been agreed with the vet, and the relapse was nearly missed. There was also the dangerous idea of increasing a prescribed medication on one's own judgment.

ImprovementAfter colic treatment, check and record eating, droppings, how often he lies down and gum color every 2 hours through the night. Practice checking gum color and refill time and measuring heart rate and breathing in normal times. Post the vet's after-hours number and the "call immediately" criteria in the stall, and use prescribed medication only as directed.

A February evening. A 17-year-old standard female in the pasture has lost strength in her hind legs and sat down; she tries to stand repeatedly and collapses. There is no deformity of the legs, but she cannot bear weight. When the owner calls the vet, the reply is, "A farm call will be in two hours. If you want her seen right away, bring her to the hospital." There is a trailer, but loading requires her to climb a ramp. It is 2°C and the ground is cold and wet.

What is the most appropriate first action?

1. Have several people drag her into the trailer and rush to the hospital
2. Tie her hind legs with rope and winch her up into the trailer
3. If she cannot stand there is no point in treatment, so do nothing
4. Tell the vet an animal that cannot stand will not be loaded and wait for the farm call; keep her warm on the spot with blankets and dry bedding, keep her companion close and do not let her head hang low

AnswerD. Tell the vet an animal that cannot stand will not be loaded and wait for the farm call; keep her warm on the spot with blankets and dry bedding, keep her companion close and do not let her head hang low

ExplanationLoading an animal that cannot stand into a trailer causes falls, fractures and suffocation in transit; the transport itself shortens her life. Tell the vet she cannot be loaded because she cannot stand, ask them to prioritize the farm call, and if necessary look for another vet who makes farm calls. While waiting, protect her from the cold ground with dry bedding and blankets, keep her head from hanging low, and keep her companion close to calm her. Dragging her in or hauling her with rope or a winch injures the legs and cervical spine. The causes of inability to stand vary and many recover with treatment, so doing nothing is wrong. Tell the vet when she last ate and passed droppings and her temperature.

IssuesNo alternative had been arranged for when a farm call is delayed (several vets, help from neighbors), and the owner did not know the principle that an animal that cannot stand must not be transported. No blankets or bedding for warmth were on hand for a donkey down in a winter pasture.

ImprovementLine up several vets who make farm calls and post after-hours and emergency numbers in the stall. Share the family rule that an animal that cannot stand or bear weight is not transported; it gets a farm call. Keep blankets, a tarpaulin and dry bedding near the pasture, and practice keeping a recumbent animal warm and in the right position.

Midnight in March. Hearing noises from the stall, the owner finds a 10-year-old standard male lying down and getting up over and over within 10 minutes, turning to look at his flank. His hay has not gone down since evening and there have been no droppings since the evening round. He is not sweating but his breathing is somewhat fast. The owner hesitates, feeling bad about waking the vet in the middle of the night, and is considering waiting until morning.

What is the most appropriate action in this situation?

1. Out of consideration for the vet's night-time burden, wait until 8 a.m. and call if there is no improvement
2. Recognize the signs of severe abdominal pain, call immediately even at night, report when he last ate and passed droppings, his temperature and heart rate and any feed changes, and request a farm call
3. Look up colic treatment online, film him and send the video to the vet in the morning
4. Give him the horse painkiller in the house and let him rest until morning once he settles

AnswerB. Recognize the signs of severe abdominal pain, call immediately even at night, report when he last ate and passed droppings, his temperature and heart rate and any feed changes, and request a farm call

ExplanationRepeatedly lying down and getting up, looking at the flank, not eating and no droppings are signs of severe abdominal pain and meet the manual's "call now" criteria. Donkeys show quieter symptoms than horses, so even this degree can mean serious illness. Call the vet without hesitation even at night, report when he stopped eating, the time of the last droppings, temperature and heart rate, any feed changes and whether he is overweight, and request a farm call. While waiting, remove feed but leave water, keep him still and keep his companion close. Waiting until morning lets a twisted gut or hyperlipemia progress. Time is lost searching online and filming. Painkillers without the vet's instruction mask symptoms, delay diagnosis, and the dose for donkeys is unknown and dangerous.

IssuesThere was a psychological barrier to calling at night, and the "call now" criteria had not been shared with the family in advance. There was no habit of recording the information the vet needs (last meal, droppings, temperature, heart rate), and the after-hours number and farm-call availability had not been confirmed.

ImprovementAgree the rules and contacts for night-time calls with the vet in normal times, and post in the stall that "lying down and getting up repeatedly, unable to rise, not bearing weight on a leg, heavy bleeding" mean an immediate call at any hour. Record eating, droppings and temperature daily so they can be reported, and line up several vets who make night-time farm calls.

Midday in May. A 7-year-old female miniature donkey has a deep laceration on a front leg and pressure is being kept on it. The vet has said, "She can stand, so bring her to the hospital; she needs X-rays and stitches." The trailer at home has a slippery metal floor, and the ramp is dry. Her companion is braying in the pen. The hospital is 40 minutes by car, and the donkey is anxiously shifting her feet.

What is the most appropriate preparation for transport?

1. Lay a non-slip mat on the floor, load her together with her companion with the pressure bandage still on, drive slowly and tell the vet the expected arrival time
2. Leave the companion behind as it would get in the way, load the injured donkey quickly on her own and drive fast
3. Remove the bandage to check whether the bleeding has stopped before loading, and let the wound dry in the trailer
4. The donkey will brace herself even if the trailer floor is slippery, so load her as is and set off

AnswerA. Lay a non-slip mat on the floor, load her together with her companion with the pressure bandage still on, drive slowly and tell the vet the expected arrival time

ExplanationFor an animal that can stand, the rule for transport is to lay a non-slip mat on the trailer floor to prevent falls and load her with a companion to keep her calm. Do not remove the pressure bandage; if blood seeps through, add more on top. Keep the ramp low and dry, lead her without rushing, drive slowly and tell the vet the expected arrival time. Leaving the companion behind makes the injured donkey thrash and fall in the trailer, and the one left behind loses appetite from separation stress. Removing the bandage breaks the clot and restarts the bleeding. Driving on a slippery floor makes her brace continuously until exhausted, and she falls and fractures a leg at braking or cornering.

IssuesNo non-slip mat was kept in the trailer, and there had been no preparation or practice for transporting the two together. The owner was tempted to remove the pressure bandage to check the wound and did not understand the principle of loading a companion for transport.

ImprovementKeep a non-slip mat permanently in the trailer and practice loading both donkeys monthly so they stay willing. Share the family procedure for transport: load with a companion, do not remove the pressure bandage, drive slowly. Confirm the route and journey time to the hospital and its hours for admissions in advance.