Gastric impaction in donkeys: A retrospective exploratory study

Summary Background Gastric impaction is a recognised cause of colic in horses but remains poorly characterised in donkeys. Clinical presentation and outcome in donkeys have not been systematically described. Objectives To describe gastric impaction in donkeys and compare affected donkeys with those presenting with other gastrointestinal diseases. Study Design Retrospective observational study. Methods Medical records of donkeys presented to a university referral hospital between 2012 and 2025 for gastrointestinal disease were reviewed. Donkeys were allocated to a gastric impaction group (GIMP) or a gastrointestinal disease without gastric impaction group (OGID). Gastric impaction was classified as confirmed or suspected based on gastroscopy, surgery, necropsy, ultrasonography and/or nasogastric intubation findings. Univariable analyses compared signalment, history, clinical findings, laboratory variables and outcome between groups. Benjamini‐Hochberg false discovery rate correction was applied for multiple testing. Results Seventy‐seven donkeys met the inclusion criteria, including 33 GIMP donkeys (23 confirmed, 10 suspected) and 44 OGID donkeys. Gastric impaction represented 43% of gastrointestinal presentations and was rarely isolated, with concurrent disorders identified in 88% of cases, most commonly large intestinal impaction. Donkeys with gastric impaction less frequently presented overt colic signs and more commonly showed apathy and/or inappetence. Difficult nasogastric intubation and gastric enlargement on ultrasonography were more frequent in GIMP donkeys. No variable remained significantly associated with gastric impaction after correction for multiple testing. Twenty‐one GIMP donkeys (64%) and 29 OGID donkeys (66%) survived. Median hospitalisation duration was 6 days (IQR 3–11) and 5 days (3–7), respectively, with no difference between groups. Main Limitations Retrospective design, unknown normal gastric emptying time, lack of validated ultrasonographic reference values for gastric size, missing data and limited sample size. Conclusion Gastric impaction is a frequent finding in donkeys presented for gastrointestinal disease and may occur with subtle clinical signs. Apathy, inappetence, difficult nasogastric intubation and gastric enlargement on ultrasonography support clinical suspicion, although gastroscopy after adequate fasting remains necessary for diagnosis.