Retrospective Assessment of Donkeys’ Health and Welfare problems in Dale Sadi District Haro Sabbu Veterinary Clinic, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Although donkey contributed vital role in human livelihoods through direct and indirect contributions to financial, human and social capital, emphasis has not been given to study the welfare issue which include health problems and management requirement. A retrospective study and questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the health and the welfare problem of donkeys coming to the Haro Sabbu Veterinary clinic for treatment at the Dale Sadi district, Haro SabbuVeterinary clinic, Oromia, Ethiopia. Data on 448 donkeys from 2018 to 2020 were analyzed from the data record sheet kept by the clinic. Results: The most common case for wound occurrence were back sore 135(30.1%), chest wound 37(8.3%), bite 27(6.0%) and combined wound of both back and bite 14(3.1%). The finding indicated that the occurrence of wound in donkeys having poor 170 (64.4%), medium 41(33.6%) and good 7(11.6%) body condition and this was found to be statistically significantly associated (p=0.000). Among the common health problems and abnormalities encountered in donkeys back sore wound 135(30.1%), lameness 92(20.5%), parasitic infestation 60(13.6%), chest wound 37(8.3) and signs of colic 34 (7.6%) were the major problems encountered in donkeys coming to clinic for treatment with there was no a statistically significant difference among different years. In addition to body condition, the occurrence of wounds was found to be statistically significantly associated with age category and work type. In addition, pack donkeys experienced higher lameness occurrences as compared to cart donkeys and it was statistically significant (P>0.05). In addition to health related problems, the questionnaire survey conducted also revealed welfare problems such as management condition, overloading, working hour, housing problems, and wounds due to harnessing were the major welfare problems of donkeys in the study area.Conclusion: This retrospective study and questionnaire survey revealed the significant health and welfare problems of donkeys that need to be addressed in order to improve welfare status, their health and working efficiency. Therefore, there should be immediate awareness creation for community, government, community, local service providers and policy makers on welfare issue of donkey and health management in the study area in particular and in the country in general.