How to Wean a Miniature Donkey With Diarrhea

Diarrhea at an early age in miniature donkey foals in not uncommon. The diarrhea, sometimes called scours, can occur as early as nine or 10 days after birth. Scours seem to coincide with hormonal changes in the mother donkey. Diarrhea can be more of a concern during weaning since the foal will no longer be nursing and could dehydrate without proper care. Precautions should be taken to prevent the foal from dehydrating during the weaning process.

Things You'll Need

  • Equine electrolyte solution
  • Separation pen
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Instructions

    • 1

      Partition a section in the pasture or pen where the foal can go to eat or graze solid foods without the mother two or three weeks before weaning. The entry to the section should big enough for the foal to enter and exit, but too small for the mother donkey. This allows the foal to get used to solid foods before weaning and may prevent or shorten the duration of diarrhea. It also will prevent the mother donkey from consuming any medications or special supplements intended for the foal.

    • 2

      Separate the foal from the mother when the foal reaches four to six months of age. Foals can be placed in a pen alongside the mother for less traumatic weaning, or the foal can be separated from the mother in a location where the mother and foal cannot see or hear each other.

    • 3

      Mix a powder equine electrolyte solution, according to product instructions or your veterinarian, into the foal's feed or drinking water to prevent the foal from dehydrating due to the diarrhea. Children's Pedialyte or Gatorade will work as well.

    • 4

      Monitor the foal daily. If diarrhea persists or is accompanied by a fever, weight loss or weakness in the foal, contact a veterinarian immediately.

    • 5

      Place another foal or animal friend into the weaning pasture. The animal buddy will provide comfort and company to a foal, and can make the weaning process faster and easier on the foal.

    • 6

      Return the foal to the mother's pasture only after foal and mother have lost interest in each other. Some foals take longer to wean than others. The earlier a foal is weaned, the longer it normally takes to wean them. Weaning can take anywhere from several days to several weeks.