My mini donkey is very sick

currycomb

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donkey urine can be cloudy without being a problem. and company can be a good thing as long as the other donkey doesn't bully your sick mini,and there is plenty to eat and drink for both of them. also, i would get a 2lb white salt block. amazing how it helps with everything. i keep salt to all my pasture animals. i think you are doing okay with letting him rest laying down. do his hooves look long? especially the hind ones. they may be putting a strain on his tendons and ligaments.
 

bm12171

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Ok, good to know about the urine. I just went out and checked on them and Jonah had his head resting on Johnson's back - so cute; so good to know that company can be good. I bought a carrot flavored block with selenium - would it be better to get the regular white salt block - cause it doesn't look like he has touched the block and it's been out there a few days. No, his hooves look really good - the farrier just came about month and a half ago. I did pick out his hooves, cause looked like stepped in one of his messes and got that and pine shavings in his hooves. Of course I'm not and expert and really new and learning what to look for. I did notice when I picked out one of his hooves, seemed like he had a sore spot; but I sure can't tell at all if they look bad or anything. Forever grateful for sites like this and the help people have provided :) Thank you thank you thank you!!!
 

bm12171

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Our little guy with his buddy Boo who stays close to him. She loves her Jonah!!

8353_jonah_and_boo.jpg
 

RemudaOne

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He needs thick straw or shavings to lay on. If he is thin, he may get pressure sores in his skin where his bones contact the floor. I would imagine that the concrete is very cold too. It will cause his core temp to fall. I've had horses for many years and if they are stalled, or in your case garaged, they really need to have a good thick layer of bedding under them. I hope he improves for you. Do you have free choice hay or alfalfa available to him 24/7?
 

bm12171

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Ok, thanks. I have some bedding for him to lie down on, but whenever he gets free run of the garage when we are home during the day he always wants to get out and lie on the cold concrete. We only let him lay during the day for a couple hours (if that) at a time and then try to get him up and moving; even take him out if not too cold, for short walks. At night, we make sure to put him in his pen area, but I probably should put more bedding down to be sure; cause I do not want him getting sores. Should we keep him in his pen area where he can't move alot - would this be better? Honestly, I'm so new to this and it's so hard knowing what to do to help the poor little guy! He seemed a little stronger today; when we got him up, didn't take a lot of effort for us - he was able to really help us. We have free choice hay for him 24/7; and have been feeding him Purina Senior Equine 3x a day. Also have regular water and keep some gatorade water for him as well.
 

RemudaOne

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It sounds like you're doing a great job :). How big is his pen area? If he's only down for a couple of hours, it shouldn't be too hard on him. And it sounds like he's improving slowly so that's a good thing. I think it's great that his donkey friend is with him and I think that will help him greatly. Any herd animal is better off with company. Loved the picture with the kitty too :)
 

currycomb

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maybe make his pen a bit bigger and put a layer of shavings down, the some straw on top of that, better cushioning, just better for him all the way around. if you could afford them, the rubber stall mats they have a farm stores could be put down under the shavings, will soften the area he stays in. love the kitty keeping him company
 

bm12171

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Great idea on the stall mat - we have one out in the leanto area, I'll make sure to do that as soon as I get home and put down lots of extra bedding for him. His pen is probably 10 x 10. I hope we are doing all the right things, this is our first experience and we for sure want to take all the right steps. This site and all of you have been such a blessing to us and for this we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! God Bless! :thumbsup
 

bm12171

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:weee :celebrate He can finally stand on his own!!! Last couple days we have not had to help him up at all. He looks so much better and is getting around without any difficulties whatsoever. The vet is still coming out this week to run more lab work to see if his liver and muscle enzymes have gone down, so we will know for sure. I thank the Lord and the help from all of you for Jonah getting better. I'm so grateful for all of your advice and helping me take care of him and nurse him back to health. I had no idea of what to do or how to really take care of him, but you all gave me the info I need; so THANK YOU all so VERY much!! I'll let you know how the labs go, but as of right now, he looks like he is on the track of complete recovery. We still have him in the garage; I told my hubby I didn't care to scrap off my car in the mornings, cause as long as he is warm and getting better that's all that matters to me! Simple things in life are the greatest joys. Hubby has told me that this summer though, we are going to add on to our pole barn and put stalls in there for them for next winter. He loves these donkeys so much, and to think - he didn't want me to get them and now he's in love. LOL. ;)
 

Remuda1

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That is just so...... Absolutely awesome. It's HUGE that he's getting up on his own. You've done a great job, good for you and good for him :)
 
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