Vetnuus | May 2025 25 Article NA: Not applicable. * RIs established at the AHDC (from at least 120 adult healthy horses). Limitations of this study included failing to meet the target of 120 samples and having some variability in sample collection and processing (e.g., some chemistry samples were not centrifuged until receipt at the AHDC). The lower number of samples likely had a minimal effect on the end results as only a few samples were excluded or lost, and guidelines were established to calculate reference intervals for smaller populations [18]. However, future studies would benefit from including extra animals and/or continuing sample collection until the target value of 120 samples is reached. Future studies may also benefit from more stringent sample collection and processing requirements, but such requirements may also limit the number of veterinarians who are able and willing to participate in sample collection. 5. Conclusions This study provides updated RIs for CBC and serum chemistry analyte values in apparently healthy domestic and free-roaming adult donkeys from across the U.S. These findings will assist veterinarians with result interpretation and, thereby, aid in accurate disease diagnoses in donkeys. v References Burden, F.; Thiemann, A. Donkeys Are Different. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2015, 35, 376–382. [CrossRef] Rickards, K.J.; Thiemann, A.K. Respiratory Disorders of the Donkey. Vet. Clin. Equine Pract. 2019, 35, 561–573. [CrossRef][PubMed] Goodrich, E.; Behling-Kelly, E. Applying Current Knowledge of Clinical Pathology to Donkeys and Mules in Practice. In In-Depth: Advances in Donkey and Mule Medicine, Proceedings of the American Association of Equine Practitioners 67th Annual Convention, Nashville, TN, USA, 4–8 December 2021; The American Association of Equine Practitioners: Lexington, KY, USA, 2021. Taylor, T.S.; Matthews, N.S. Mammoth asses—Selected behavioural considerations for the veterinarian. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 1998, 60, 283–289. [CrossRef] Folch, P.; Jordana, J.; Cuenca, R. Reference ranges and the influence of age and sex on haematological values of the endangered Catalonian donkey. Vet. J. 1997, 154, 163–168. [CrossRef] [PubMed] Jordana, J.; Folch, P.; Cuenca, R. Clinical biochemical parameters of the endangered catalonian donkey breed: Normal values and the influence of sex, age, and management practices effect. Res. Vet. Sci. 1998, 64, 7–10. [CrossRef] [PubMed] Sgorbini, M.; Bonelli, F.; Rota, A.; Baragli, P.; Marchetti, V.; Corazza, M. Hematology and Clinical Chemistry in Amiata Donkey Foals from Birth to 2 Months of Age. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2013, 33, 35–39. [CrossRef] Veronesi, M.C.; Gloria, A.; Panzani, S.; Sfirro, M.P.; Carluccio, A.; Contri, A. Blood analysis in newborn donkeys: Hematology, biochemistry, and blood gases analysis. Theriogenology 2014, 82, 294–303. [CrossRef] [PubMed] Bonelli, F.; Rota, A.; Corazza, M.; Serio, D.; Sgorbini, M. Hematological and biochemical findings in pregnant, postfoaling, and lactating jennies. Theriogenology 2016, 85, 1233–1238. [CrossRef] [PubMed] Gloria, A.; Veronesi, M.C.; Carluccio, R.; Parrillo, S.; De Amicis, I.; Contri, A. Biochemical blood analysis along pregnancy in Martina Franca jennies. Theriogenology 2018, 115, 84–89. [CrossRef] [PubMed] Caldin, M.; Furlanello, T.; Solano-Gallego, L.; De Lorenzi, D.; Carli, E.; Tasca, S.; Lubas, G. Reference ranges for haematology, biochemical profile and electrophoresis in a single herd of Ragusana donkeys from Sicily (Italy). Comp. Clin. Pathol. 2005, 14, 5–12. [CrossRef] Dugat, S.L.; Taylor, T.S.; Matthews, N.S.; Gold, J.R. Values for Triglycerides, Insulin, Cortisol, and ACTH in a Herd of Normal Donkeys. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2010, 30, 141–144. [CrossRef] Burden, F.A.; Hazell-Smith, E.; Mulugeta, G.; Patrick, V.; Trawford, R.; Brooks Brownlie, H.W. Reference intervals for biochemical and haematological parameters in mature domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) in the UK. Equine Vet. Educ. 2016, 28, 134–139. [CrossRef] Zinkl, J.G.; Mae, D.; Guzman Merida, P.; Farver, T.B.; Humble, J.A. Reference ranges and the influence of age and sex on hematologic and serum biochemical values in donkeys (Equus asinus). Am. J. Vet. Res. 1990, 51, 408–413. [CrossRef] [PubMed] Complete Blood Count and Biochemistry Reference Intervals for Healthy Adult Donkeys in the United States <<<24 TG (mmol/L) GGT (U/L) AHDC Donkeys (current study) 0.3–2.2 10–55 AHDC Equines * 0.2–0.7 8–33 Previous US Donkeys (Zinkl et al. 1990) [14] NA 10–128 Previous UK Donkeys (French & Patrick 1995) [20] 0.2–4.3 8–49 Texas Donkeys (Dugat et al. 2010) [12] 0.3–1.4 NA UK Donkeys (Burden et al. 2016) [13] 0.6–2.8 14–69 Table 5. A comparison of the RI for TG and GGT, highlighting differences and similarities across donkey studies and between horses and donkeys.
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