A series of caches meant to provide a little information about my favourite equine - the donkey:-) All of the donkeys in the photos on the cache pages can be found living nearby at The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada.
Cushing’s disease is an endocrine disorder affecting hormone production in the pituitary gland. Nerves to the pituitary gland become damaged which increases the amount of hormones released. Lethargy and a generally poor demeanor, an excessively long summer coat, increased drinking and recurrent bouts of laminitis (a crippling and painful disease where the support mechanism of the toe bone in the hoof is destroyed thus causing the toe bone to rotate downward making the donkey lame) are all signs of a donkey with Cushing’s disease. Diagnosis can be confirmed with a blood test and treatment is life-long. Daily medication can help return a donkey to his or her normal self.
Panne was recently diagnosed with Cushing's disease after being observed spending extended amounts of time standing with his head against the corner of the barn. Sadly, Panne was also recently diagnosed with cancer and has since passed on. He was a big, loveable boy and will be greatly missed by everybody at the sanctuary. 1991-2016