VNJ Articlesanaesthesiaarterial blood gascastrationdonkeyhypotensionhypoxiasurgery
28 April 2025
Care of a donkey under anaesthesia: A case study and nursing care analysis
by Jemma Thorogood A1, NCert (AnBehav), Merit Award (Medicine), ESME (Cert), VPAC. Jemma is the lead nurse for the Anaesthesia Department at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, West Indies. In this role, she trains veterinary students in anaesthesia techniques for a variety of species, including donkeys, sheep, cats and dogs. She is passionate about both veterinary medicine and anaesthesia, and particularly enjoys the teaching aspect of her work. Jemma is currently pursuing a master’s degree in research to further expand her expertise in the field.
ABSTRACT This case study explores the common complications that can arise in the anaesthesia of a
healthy donkey. Despite the routine nature of the procedure in this case (surgical castration), complications such as hypoventilation, hypotension, hypothermia and hypoxia emerged. The article includes the results of the patient’s arterial blood gas analysis and a summary of the actions taken to resolve the complications. A Nevisian donkey underwent routine surgical castration under anaesthesia, during which several common complications arose. Under the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ (ASA) physical status classification, the donkey was Grade 1 (a normal healthy patient). Hypotension developed and was managed effectively by adjusting the depth of anaesthesia, administering an intravenous fluid bolus and initiating a constant-rate infusion of dobutamine. Following the administration of dobutamine, the patient’s systolic blood pressure improved and was maintained above 100 mmHg. Hypercapnia, attributed to mild respiratory depression, was observed but remained within acceptable limits, with normal blood pH, requiring no intervention. A reduced ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) to fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2), with the potential to progress to hypoxia, was corrected through an alveolar recruitment manoeuvre. This involved increasing the positive inspiratory pressure to 30 cmH2O and applying 10 cmH2O of positive end-expiratory pressure, which
effectively improved oxygenation. Recovery was supported with intranasal oxygen until the donkey could stand; this process was uneventful. The case highlights the importance of anticipating and promptly managing complications during the anaesthesia of a donkey. It also underscores the need for veterinary professionals to recognise that donkeys, with their unique anatomical and physiological characteristics, should not be treated as small horses.
Keywords donkey, castration, surgery, anaesthesia, arterial blood gas, hypotension, hypoxia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56496/GQPH2309
To cite this article: Thorogood, J. (2025) Care of a donkey under anaesthesia: A case study and nursing care analysis. VNJ 40(20 pp16-23.
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