After months of recovery at The Donkey Sanctuary’s specialized veterinary hospital, a donkey named Darby has finally returned to full health and rejoined his herd at the sanctuary farm in Devon.
Darby’s medical journey began last December when Equine Dental Technician Kelsey Ham noticed an issue with one of his lower cheek teeth and referred him for further care. The tooth had shifted from its normal position, causing food to become trapped around it—a situation that, left unchecked, could lead to gum disease.
To prevent further complications, Darby was transferred to the sanctuary’s donkey hospital for surgery. There, veterinary surgeon Alice Hodgson, with support from colleague Curtis Goding, performed a successful extraction of the problematic tooth. Darby, a brown gelding, wasn’t especially attached to any one member of his group, but made the trip with a fellow donkey named Gabrial to keep him company.
Although his initial recovery went well, things took a turn when grooms noticed a discharge coming from his lower jaw. Though the extraction site seemed normal on the surface, vets suspected an infection and began treatment. But when the issue failed to resolve, Darby—then 15 years old—was brought back to the hospital for more thorough diagnostics.
Over the next several months, he remained under close veterinary care. Accompanied once again by Gabrial, Darby received regular medication and underwent a battery of tests including blood panels, x-rays, ultrasounds, and wound cleanings. Eventually, imaging revealed the source of the persistent infection: a small piece of dead bone, known as a sequestrum, had been left behind following the extraction.
With the cause finally identified, vets were able to adjust Darby’s treatment accordingly. After extensive care and support from the dedicated sanctuary team, Darby recovered fully and is now back enjoying his days among the Devon pastures—healthy, happy, and surrounded by familiar faces.