Suzanne Redford
Equine Dental Services
Donkey's and their Teeth
Donkeys are very popular for a number of reasons. Not only are they used in many different disciplines, such as driving, dressage and riding for the disabled, but are also kept as companions due to their kind, affectionate and patient nature. Apart from keeping us humans company, they seem to have a calming effect on young or nervous horses, and are very protective of any herd they have bonded with.
Donkeys are related to the horse, and along with zebras are all members of the ‘equus’ family. They originated in Africa, but are now popular in many parts of the world. Although all part of the same family, Donkeys vary from horses and ponies in many different ways.
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Differences |
Similarities |
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v They have a greater need for shelter as their coats aren’t waterproof. |
v They require the same care and attention. |
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v They have tufted mane and tails rather than flowing hair. |
v Their feet need to be trimmed regularly to prevent overgrowth. |
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v If they deem something to be scary or dangerous, they will simple freeze and not proceed, rather than panic and flee. |
v They need to be regularly wormed and vaccinated to stay healthy. |
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v And of course they have much larger ears, used to hear each other’s calls up to 3 kilometres away! |
v And of course, as their teeth are the same as horses, they require regular dental care. |
Just like horses, they initially have 24 baby or deciduous teeth, which fall out to give way to 12 incisors, 24 cheek teeth, 4 canines in male Donkeys and up to a possible 4 wolf teeth. Donkey’s teeth require just as much care as any other equine as their constantly erupting teeth can lead to variations in tooth height and sharp edges, not only causing damage to the Donkey’s mouth, but making the joy of eating a painful and uncomfortable experience. Another important reason Donkeys require dental care is due to their long life span, with some reaching ages of 60+! Teeth that are cared for in the early years and throughout their lifetime are less likely to become loose, uneven or diseased. An ageing Donkey with dental problems will find it exceedingly difficult to efficiently grind and therefore digest their food.
As with other equines, it is not usually possible to judge a Donkey’s teeth by their ability to eat or put on weight. Donkeys that appear to be eating well and are well rounded may have dental problems present. In many cases, they adapt to their individual situation. For example, if they have very sharp edges on the outside of their upper cheek teeth, they may well pack their cheeks with forage in order to prevent their cheeks being cut. If some of their teeth are missing, the teeth opposite will erupt into the gap and block that side of the mouth, therefore the Donkey may only eat on one side of the mouth whilst the other side gets progressively worse. Many small problems which if caught early enough could be easily corrected, can erupt into major dental problems if left.
As with anything, prevention is always better than cure. Regular dental maintenance of all equines including Donkeys stops painful situations arising, allowing them to lead more comfortable and healthy lifestyles.