{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,12]],"date-time":"2026-05-12T12:37:13Z","timestamp":1778589433859,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,8]],"date-time":"2025-01-08T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1736294400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Knowledge of the normal ultrasound anatomy in the donkey is essential to understand pathological changes and to reach an early diagnosis, considering the \u201cdullness\u201d and stoicism of these animals in pain manifestations. The aims of this study were to document which abdominal viscera could be identified using a transcutaneous ultrasonography technique under field conditions in unsedated, standing donkeys to determine where the different abdominal structures could be easily displayed and to describe any variation that occurred between different donkeys and horses. In this work, the manual technique for performing an ultrasound of the abdominal organs in a donkey is described, including acoustic windows. In addition, several measurements were performed and correlated with the age and weight of the animal to find possible variations. For several of the abdominal viscera, donkeys were found to have similarities with horses, but some differences were found, mostly related to kidney size and the technique for liver visualization. The wall thickness of the colon was confirmed as higher compared to horses, while other intestinal tracts were found to be comparable. A correlation between body weight and organ measurements was only found for the length of both kidneys.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani15020129","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,8]],"date-time":"2025-01-08T04:54:08Z","timestamp":1736312048000},"page":"129","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Abdominal Ultrasonography in Healthy Female Standard Donkeys"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"given":"Lucrezia","family":"Accorroni","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93\/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Marilena","family":"Bazzano","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93\/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3629-0391","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Andrea","family":"Marchegiani","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93\/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Andrea","family":"Spaterna","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93\/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6331-6684","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fulvio","family":"Laus","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Via Circonvallazione, 93\/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,8]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"204","DOI":"10.1136\/inpract.24.4.204","article-title":"Ultrasonography of the Equine Abdomen: Techniques and Normal Findings","volume":"24","author":"Freeman","year":"2002","journal-title":"A A Pract."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"118","DOI":"10.1053\/ctep.2002.35579","article-title":"Ultrasonography of the Abdomen in the Horse with Colic","volume":"1","author":"Scharner","year":"2002","journal-title":"Clin. Tech. Equine Pract."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"571","DOI":"10.1111\/eve.13940","article-title":"Preliminary Study to Evaluate the Use of Fast Abdominal Ultrasonography of Horses with Colic in First Opinion Ambulatory Practice","volume":"36","author":"Corrie","year":"2024","journal-title":"Equine Vet. Educ."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"215","DOI":"10.12775\/JEHS.2023.45.01.015","article-title":"Therapeutic Role of Animals: A Comprehensive Literature Review on the Prevalent Forms and Species in Animal-Assisted Interventions","volume":"45","author":"Szewczyk","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Educ. Health Sport"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"282","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1740-8261.2008.00367.x","article-title":"Gastrointestinal Ultrasonography in Normal Adult Ponies","volume":"49","author":"Epstein","year":"2008","journal-title":"Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"El-Deeb, W., Fayez, M., Elsohaby, I., Mkrtchyan, H.V., and Alhaider, A. (2020). Changes in Blood Biomarkers in Arabian Horses with Clostridium Difficile-Induced Enterocolitis. Comp. Immunol. Microbiol. Infect. Dis., 73.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cimid.2020.101525"},{"key":"ref_7","first-page":"289","article-title":"Identification of Normal Parameters for Ultrasonographic Examination of the Equine Large Colon and Cecum","volume":"48","author":"Hendrickson","year":"2007","journal-title":"Can. Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"103153","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jevs.2020.103153","article-title":"Reference Values and Repeatability of Transabdominal Ultrasonographic Gastrointestinal Tract Thickness and Motility in Healthy Donkeys (Equus Asinus)","volume":"92","author":"Ibrahim","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Equine Vet. Sci."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"326","DOI":"10.1136\/vr.101436","article-title":"Ultrasonographic Biometry of the Eyes of Healthy Adult Donkeys","volume":"174","author":"Laus","year":"2014","journal-title":"Vet. Rec."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"33","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jevs.2017.10.020","article-title":"Nutritional and Nutraceutical Quality of Donkey Milk","volume":"65","author":"Martini","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Equine Vet. Sci."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"30","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jfca.2014.12.019","article-title":"Changes in Donkey Milk Lipids in Relation to Season and Lactation","volume":"41","author":"Martini","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Food Compos. Anal."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Laus, F., Laghi, L., Bazzano, M., Cifone, M.G., Cinque, B., Yang, Y., and Marchegiani, A. (2023). Donkey Colostrum and Milk: How Dietary Probiotics Can Affect Metabolomic Profile, Alkaline Sphingomyelinase and Alkaline Phosphatase Activity. Metabolites, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/metabo13050622"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"62","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jevs.2017.12.014","article-title":"Tick-Borne Diseases and Gastric Ulcer in the Donkey","volume":"65","author":"Sgorbini","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Equine Vet. Sci."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tvjl.2010.02.017","article-title":"Evaluation of a Protocol for Fast Localised Abdominal Sonography of Horses (FLASH) Admitted for Colic","volume":"188","author":"Busoni","year":"2011","journal-title":"Vet. J."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"66","DOI":"10.12968\/ukve.2024.8.2.66","article-title":"Gastrointestinal Disorders in Donkeys","volume":"8","author":"Thiemann","year":"2024","journal-title":"UK-Vet Equine"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Thiemann, A.K., Rickards, K.J., Getachew, M., and Paraschou, G. (2017). Colic in the Donkey. Equine Acute Abdomen, Wiley.","DOI":"10.1002\/9781119063254.ch38"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"262","DOI":"10.1111\/rda.14048","article-title":"Assessment of Serum Amyloid A Concentrations and Biochemical Profiles in Lactating Jennies and Newborn Ragusano Donkey Foals around Parturition and One Month after Foaling in Sicily","volume":"57","author":"Bazzano","year":"2022","journal-title":"Reprod. Domest. Anim."},{"key":"ref_18","first-page":"137","article-title":"Conjunctival Bacterial and Fungal Flora in Healthy Donkeys in Central Italy","volume":"22","author":"Laus","year":"2016","journal-title":"Large Anim. Rev."},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"Evans, L., and Crane, M. (2018). The Clinical Companion of the Donkey, The Donkey Sanctuary."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"492","DOI":"10.1136\/vr.105881","article-title":"Indicators of \u2018Critical\u2019 Outcomes in 941 Horses Seen \u2018out-of-Hours\u2019 for Colic","volume":"187","author":"Bowden","year":"2020","journal-title":"Vet. Rec."},{"key":"ref_21","unstructured":"Lester, G.D. (2017, January 17\u201321). Ultrasound of Adult Horses. Proceedings of the 63rd Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"24","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jevs.2017.07.011","article-title":"Development and Complications of Blind and Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Liver Biopsy Techniques in Donkeys (Equus Asinus)","volume":"58","author":"Hussein","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Equine Vet. Sci."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"336","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1740-8261.2011.01902.x","article-title":"Reference Ranges and Reliability of Transabdominal Ultrasonographic Renal Dimensions in Thoroughbred Horses","volume":"53","author":"Draper","year":"2012","journal-title":"Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"98","DOI":"10.1111\/j.2042-3306.2011.00428.x","article-title":"Is There a Statistical Correlation between Ultrasonographic Findings and Definitive Diagnosis in Horses with Acute Abdominal Pain?","volume":"43","author":"Beccati","year":"2011","journal-title":"Equine Vet. J. Suppl."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1597","DOI":"10.2460\/javma.1996.209.09.1597","article-title":"Use of Diagnostic Ultrasonography in Horses with Signs of Acute Abdominal Pain","volume":"209","author":"Klohnen","year":"1996","journal-title":"J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"220","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1740-8261.2004.04038.x","article-title":"Accuracy of Increased Large-Intestine Wall Thickness during Ultrasonography for Diagnosing Large-Colon Torsion in 42 Horses","volume":"45","author":"Pease","year":"2004","journal-title":"Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound"},{"key":"ref_27","first-page":"E1","article-title":"Understanding abdominal ultrasonography in horses: Which way is up","volume":"33","author":"Barton","year":"2011","journal-title":"Compend. Contin. Educ. Pract. Vet."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"647","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1740-8261.2010.01715.x","article-title":"Repeatability and Reproducibility of Transabdominal Ultrasonographic Intestinal Wall Thickness Measurements in Thoroughbred Horses","volume":"51","author":"Bithell","year":"2010","journal-title":"Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.4322\/jms.ao055613","article-title":"Anatomical and Morphometric Study of Gastrointestinal Tract of Donkey (Equus Africanus Asinus)","volume":"31","author":"Jerbi","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Morphol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jevs.2018.04.001","article-title":"Ultrasonographic Reference Values of Kidney Dimensions and Clinicopathological Findings Associating the Transcutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Renal Biopsy in Donkeys (Equus asinus)","volume":"68","author":"Hussein","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Equine Vet. Sci."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"323","DOI":"10.1111\/vru.12112","article-title":"Validation of a novel translumbar ultrasound technique for measuring renal dimensions in horses","volume":"55","author":"Bowen","year":"2014","journal-title":"Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"50","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1740-8261.1995.tb00212.x","article-title":"Duodenal ultrasonography in the normal adult horse","volume":"36","author":"Kirberger","year":"1995","journal-title":"Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound"},{"key":"ref_33","first-page":"S5","article-title":"Comparison of ultrasonographic and histologic assessment of normal and strangulating intestine in the horse","volume":"13","author":"Freeman","year":"2001","journal-title":"Eur. J. Ultrasound"},{"key":"ref_34","unstructured":"Reef, V.B. (1998). Adult abdominal ultrasonography. Equine Diagnostic Ultrasound, W.B. Saunders."}],"container-title":["Animals"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/15\/2\/129\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,8]],"date-time":"2025-10-08T10:24:51Z","timestamp":1759919091000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/15\/2\/129"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,8]]},"references-count":34,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,1]]}},"alternative-id":["ani15020129"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani15020129","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-2615"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-2615","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,1,8]]}}}