A donkey found in Spain with hardly any hair is the saddest looking that Donkey Sanctuary staff had ever seen.
Flor was found in a town in southern Spain, when a neighbour alerted staff at El Refugio del Burrito about her neglect.
“She had virtually no hair, her skin was infected, her body covered in wounds and crawling with flies,” said Chus Moreno of the Spanish branch of the international animal welfare charity.
“She came to us easily and quietly as if she knew we were there to help.
“I was so sad for her, but kept telling myself she was finally safe, which was the most important thing.”
Flor was taken straight away to an isolation area at the sanctuary to ensure she was not contagious before she was introduced to the rest of the herd.
She was treated daily with medicated lotions and bathed with anti-bacterial shampoo.
Now turned out with plenty of shade and good quality food, she is making good progress.
Article continues below…
You might also be interested in:
Watch adorable donkey foal explore his new world
‘Even though Fudge is a young inexperienced mother, she bonded with her baby straight away and has been very loving
‘Better than winning the lotto’: adorable twin donkey foals born
The owner had idea their dam was carrying two foals until he spotted the pair in the field
Saved by the bottle: tiny donkey foal rejected by mother
Watch a video of the adorable foal, who has a lot to say for himself!
Tests show there are no underlying serious health issues or any viral or contagious skin disease.
Veterinary staff assume the alopecia and poor skin condition are due to the conditions in which Flor was kept and lack of care.
It will be many months before the donkey’s skin is fully healed.
The Donkey Sanctuary has 10 sanctuaries around the UK and Europe providing lifelong care to more than 6,000 donkeys and mules.
It also helps donkeys in other countries including Mexico, Peru, Egypt, Ethiopia, Romania, Portugal and India.
The charity’s outreach service provides veterinary care and advice on nutrition, housing, working hours, weight of load and welfare-friendly harness and cart design.
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday
