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Gasterophilosis: a major cause of rectal prolapse in working donkeys in Ethiopia

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Abstract

A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the cause of rectal prolapse in working donkeys in Ethiopia. Analysis of data on rectal prolapse cases obtained from the Donkey Health and Welfare Project clinic at the School of Veterinary Medicine, Addis Ababa University, from 1995 to 2004 revealed that 83.6% (n = 177) of the cases were associated with Gasterophilus nasalis. The rest 10.7% and 5.7% were associated with work-related (overloading) cause and diarrhoea, respectively. The mean and median numbers of G. nasalis recovered from the rectum of infected donkeys were 66 and 64, respectively, with a range of 2–195. Over 100 G. nasalis larvae were recovered from the rectum of 22% of the donkeys. Circular demarcated ulcer-like and deep circumferential pits or ring-like mucosal lesions were found at the larval attachment sites. G. nasalis infection and the associated rectal prolapse were observed year round. However, the intensity of rectal larval infection and incidence of rectal prolapse were significantly higher during the rainy season (P < 0.01). Age and sex of the donkeys had no significant effect on the intensity of rectal larval infection and incidence of rectal prolapse (P > 0.05).

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by the Donkey Sanctuary. The authors are grateful to the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine of Addis Ababa University and Glasgow University for their support and provision of the necessary facilities. The technical assistance of the Donkey Health and Welfare Project staff in Ethiopia is highly acknowledged with thanks.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Donkey Health and Welfare Project, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia

    Adako Mulugeta Getachew

  2. Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, EX10 0NU, Devon, UK

    Adako Mulugeta Getachew & Andrew Francis Trawford

  3. Division of Animal Production and Public Health Comparative Epidemiology and Informatics, Institute of Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK

    Adako Mulugeta Getachew, Giles Innocent & Stuart William James Reid

  4. Division of Companion Animal Sciences, Institute of Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK

    Sandy Love

  5. Principal for Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7TA, UK

    Stuart William James Reid

  6. Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland (BIOSS) James Clerk Maxwell Building, The King’s Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, Scotland, UK

    Giles Innocent

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  1. Adako Mulugeta Getachew
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  2. Giles Innocent
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  3. Andrew Francis Trawford
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  4. Stuart William James Reid
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  5. Sandy Love
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Correspondence to Adako Mulugeta Getachew.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Getachew, A.M., Innocent, G., Trawford, A.F. et al. Gasterophilosis: a major cause of rectal prolapse in working donkeys in Ethiopia. Trop Anim Health Prod 44, 757–762 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9961-7

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