When it comes to animals, you never stop learning or seeing things new. This was particularly true when we received an unwanted donkey with a huge bony growth on the side of his lower jaw. Small ones can sometime be seen but this was enormous. One of the big concerns was that Nobby (what else could we call him!) could easily get the growth caught in fencing and even in his stable he knocked it several times and made it bleed. After taking x-rays and consulting with The Donkey Sanctuary UK Vet Department, the decision was made to remove it.

Our equine dentist came out to help our vet with the operation as it still wasn't clear whether the growth affected the jaw bone and teeth. Nobby was put under general anaesthetic and the 20cm long and 16cm diameter growth was removed. Although it had its own blood supply, it luckily didn’t affect the jaw so the wound was stitched and Nobby was now unrecognizable! The wound healed really quickly and he is now out in the 'big boys' paddock enjoying life with his new friends.