Mellish Martha, Burns Jennifer, Elce Yvonne, Stull Jason W
Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Equine Vet J. 2025 Jun 26. doi: 10.1111/evj.14545.
Donkeys (Equus asinus) in East Africa are recognised as working with poorly designed harnesses and carts. The donkey cart used in regions of Africa, specifically Meru County, Kenya, appears to place the cart's weight solely on the donkey's mid-cervical region. The ventral area of the neck is vulnerable to external pressure on the trachea, which is superficially located.
To compare the presence and severity of endoscopic abnormalities in the upper airway and trachea of Meru County working cart donkeys compared to pack donkeys. To determine associations between endoscopic and physical evidence of harness injury.
Cross-sectional.
At voluntary health clinics, physical examination and endoscopy of the upper airway and trachea were evaluated and recorded at rest on 66 donkeys (38 cart donkeys and 28 pack donkeys). The presence and grade of tracheal collapse, tracheal ring abnormalities, tracheal mucus, and pharyngitis were subsequently determined on the endoscopy recordings by blinded evaluators.
Significant associations were identified between work type and tracheal collapse severity, ring abnormalities, pharyngitis, hairless skin, and thickened skin, with these findings more common in cart than pack donkeys (all p < 0.03). Moderate tracheal collapse (grade 3) was present in 40% (95% CI: 24%-57%) of cart and 0% (0%-12%) of pack donkeys. Intra-tracheal ring abnormalities were noted in 45% (29%-62%) of cart and 0% (0%-12%) of pack donkeys. Physical examination findings were significantly and positively associated with endoscopy findings (all p < 0.002).
Standing endoscopy was performed at rest and dynamic endoscopy during the pulling of carts was not performed.
Moderate tracheal collapse was seen in cart donkeys when compared to pack donkeys. Physical examination findings at rest were associated with and moderately predictive of tracheal collapse.
东非的驴（Equus asinus）被认为使用的挽具和手推车设计不佳。在非洲地区，特别是肯尼亚梅鲁县使用的驴车，似乎将车的重量完全压在驴的颈部中段区域。颈部腹侧区域易受气管表面外部压力的影响，而气管位置表浅。
比较梅鲁县拉车的驴与驮运的驴在上呼吸道和气管内镜异常的存在情况及严重程度。确定内镜检查结果与挽具损伤的体格检查证据之间的关联。
横断面研究。
在自愿健康诊所，对66头驴（38头拉车的驴和28头驮运的驴）在休息时进行上呼吸道和气管的体格检查及内镜检查，并进行评估和记录。随后，由不知情的评估人员根据内镜检查记录确定气管塌陷、气管环异常、气管黏液和咽炎的存在情况及分级。
发现工作类型与气管塌陷严重程度、环异常、咽炎、无毛皮肤和皮肤增厚之间存在显著关联，这些发现拉车的驴比驮运的驴更常见（所有p < 0.03）。40%（95%置信区间：24% - 57%）的拉车驴存在中度气管塌陷（3级），而驮运的驴中这一比例为0%（0% - 12%）。45%（29% - 62%）的拉车驴存在气管内环异常，驮运的驴中这一比例为0%（0% - 12%）。体格检查结果与内镜检查结果显著正相关（所有p < 0.002）。
在休息时进行站立位内镜检查，未在拉车过程中进行动态内镜检查。
与驮运的驴相比，拉车的驴出现中度气管塌陷。休息时的体格检查结果与气管塌陷相关且具有一定的预测性。
