Chronic pancreatitis associated with hypertriglyceridemia in a domestic donkey (Equus asinus)

Pancreatitis is extremely rare in domestic donkeys; hence, definitive antemortem diagnosis is difficult. Herein, we report the case of a four-year-old male domestic Pêga donkey (Equus asinus) with signs of abdominal pain and dysuria. The donkey was fed a high-calorie diet, was obese, and had high serum concentrations of triglycerides, lipase, and amylase. Despite analgesia, abdominal pain was uncontrollable, and the animal was euthanized. Clinical, laboratory, and pathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of chronic, multifocal to coalescent, lymphocytic, and necrotizing pancreatitis associated with hypertriglyceridemia. Pancreatitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of equids that present with abdominal pain of unknown origin, particularly in those with high serum triglyceride concentrations. Appropriate species management, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, may help prevent obesity and the onset of associated endocrine and metabolic complications.