Choke/old donkey/feed?

[flea]

Just had my first case of choke. Light case evidently, as I was talking to the vet on the phone my 29 yo donkey seemed to free something, relaxed, and started grazing. So I will just be observing on and off the rest of the night. Who wanted to sleep anyway. So...now what to feed. He eats bermuda (or has been) and only a slight handful of Safe Choice that is wetted to the mush state (so he doesn't feel left out). Guess no more bermuda, and I am really afraid of beet pulp. The hay cubes that I could soak are usually alfalfa and donkeys especially old ones don't need that rich feed. Do I go to a complete pellet? Any hay cubes that aren't alfalfa? Any suggestions anyone?

[Petstorejunkie]

I would think that just getting bermuda out of there would prevent any future occurrences. if wetting the feed has caused choke, you could try spreading it out so that he can't get a really big bite.

[flea]

Thanks, I don't think wetting the pellets caused it. I probably helped. My problem is what to replace the bermuda with! Even and old fat donkey needs more than a tiny handful of mushy Safe Choice. I am going to talk to the feed store today, maybe the complete feeds made into mush since it has the fiber and he can eat more.

[Ozone]

There is a feed called TC Chops for Donkeys. It is not only good for the swallowing but also good for preventing metabolic issues with them. The food we tend to feed donkeys (which is horse feed) is really not good for them.

Our Donk does not get hay cubes, wetted or not, causes a choke effect with her. The first time she choked (happened 2x's) scared the crap out of me, all bile-like came out of her mouth!

Does your donkey have his teeth still? Our Donk's fronts are all gone and she has made a "gum ridge" :) she eats too well still ;) she is 20 years old.

[flea]

Thanks Ozone. I am going to research that feed now and find out how to get it. Surprisingly he still has his teeth. I will get them worked on next week. Its been a while. They stay fat on nothing don't they.

[flea]

I messaged you but in case you see this. I am having difficulty finding a site for the TC chops for donkeys. Please let me know how to research or order this. Thanks so much!

[ksojerio]

Mountain Sunrise makes a bermuda pellet that has a diameter less than 1/4 inch. I soak my pellets to prevent choke. If you add enough water to the slurry, there is no way they can choke on "soup".

[flea]

Kesojerio-that sounds like something I am looking for. I will research if I can get it reasonably around here.

Ozone- is the TC feed called TC for Donkeys or is it just suitable for donkeys?

[JenLS]

I've got a senior horse and we had several episodes of choke last year when he was eating his pellets. He wasn't interested in eatting soggy pellets :) so I switched from the pellets to straight oats and he's not done it again.

[WaningMoon]

I have a miniature donkey whom I've had for 14 yrs now. He was one when I bought him. The breeder and vet has always told me no grain. He gets a cut up carrot in his dish while my mare eats her handful of BS Carb Guard. I have sneaked him a itty bitty handful of it once in a while. And I mean itty as in about 20 little pellets. This site always has good info about them and they pretty much say less is good too. I have a hell of a time keeping mine at a proper weight on just a bit of hay in the winter. His back is like a table and I keep my brushs there while Im grooming him.

http://www.miniature-donkey-assoc.com/feeding.htm