Obesity, Urea and Uric Acid: Potential Indicators of Subclinical Metabolic Imbalance inDonkeys (Pilot Study)

Obesity is a known precipitating factor in laminitis development; therefore, objective of the study was to investigate link between obesity, inflammation, and laminitis, through physical examination and serum biomarkers. Ten randomly chosen lactating jennies aged >4 years, fed hay and bran, were enrolled in the study. Laminitis grading scale was developed. Fasted blood samples were used for biochemical analysis. Laminitis was in strong positive correlation with body condition score (BCS) (P=0.008). Jennies with BCS≥7 had higher insulin than group with BCS<7 (P=0.044). Insulin showed positive correlation with glucose (P<0.001), cholesterol (P=0.008), and AST (P=0.023). Uric acid showed positive correlation with BCS (P=0.033) and urea (P=0.048). Urea exceeded reference range in eight, and globulins in all the jennies. In lactating, normoinsulinemic, normoglycemic jennies, over-conditioning is linked to laminitis. Increased globulins suggest subclinical chronic inflammation, while elevated urea and variable uric acid levels indicate the need for thorough evaluation of feeding management.