Glanders in Donkeys: Respiratory Signs, Testing and Zoonotic Risk

Glanders is a serious bacterial disease of donkeys, horses, and mules caused by Burkholderia mallei. It is considered contagious, often fatal, and zoonotic, so it matters for both animal and human health. In equids, the disease can affect the nose and upper airway, lungs, skin, and lymphatic vessels. Donkeys can develop acute illness, but some equids also develop chronic or latent infection that is harder to recognize.

In the nasal form, affected donkeys may develop mucopurulent nasal discharge, ulcers inside the nose, and enlarged lymph nodes under the jaw. In the pulmonary form, infection causes nodules and pneumonia-like disease in the lungs. In the cutaneous form, sometimes called farcy, firm nodules form along lymphatic vessels and may ulcerate and drain. These forms can overlap in the same animal.

This disease has been eradicated from many regions, including the United States, but it still occurs in some parts of the world and remains a major reportable foreign animal disease concern. Because glanders can spread through infected secretions, contaminated equipment, and close contact, any suspected case in a donkey should be treated as an emergency and handled with your vet and animal health officials right away.

Glanders is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei. The organism is carried in nasal secretions, discharge from skin lesions, and infected tissues. Donkeys usually become infected through direct contact with an infected equid, contaminated feed or water, shared equipment, or exposure to contaminated stalls, buckets, tack, grooming tools, or transport surfaces.

The bacteria enter the body through the nose, mouth, eyes, inhalation, or broken skin. Once inside, they can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system. That is why some donkeys develop mainly respiratory disease, while others show skin lesions, enlarged lymph nodes, or widespread illness.

Human infection is uncommon but possible, especially after contact with infected secretions, tissues, or aerosols. That zoonotic risk is one reason treatment is generally not pursued in animals with confirmed glanders. Instead, disease control focuses on rapid recognition, isolation, official testing, and strict biosecurity.

In the United States, glanders is considered a foreign and reportable animal disease concern, so even suspicion matters. If your donkey has compatible signs and any travel, import, or exposure history that raises concern, your vet may involve State or Federal animal health officials right away.

Diagnosis starts with immediate suspicion and isolation, not with waiting to see what happens. Your vet will look at the donkey’s history, travel or import exposure, contact with other equids, and clinical signs such as purulent nasal discharge, nasal ulceration, enlarged submandibular lymph nodes, lung disease, or farcy lesions. Because other conditions can also cause nasal discharge or skin nodules, testing is essential.

Common diagnostic tools include serology, especially the complement fixation test (CFT) used for screening, and in some settings ELISA or Western blot to help sort out unclear results. PCR may be used on clinical samples for case identification, and culture can confirm the organism, although handling requires high biosafety precautions. In some cases, diagnosis is supported by postmortem findings if an animal dies or is euthanized under official guidance.

Testing for glanders is not a routine barn-side workup. Because this is a zoonotic and reportable disease, sample collection, shipping, and interpretation are often coordinated with animal health authorities. Your vet may also recommend testing exposed herd mates and placing movement restrictions on the premises while results are pending.

A realistic early diagnostic cost range in the U.S. is often $250-$1,500+ for the farm call, exam, isolation precautions, blood draw, sample submission, and official laboratory coordination. If multiple donkeys or horses need testing, or if quarantine and regulatory follow-up are required, total costs can rise quickly.

There is no approved vaccine for glanders, so prevention depends on biosecurity and careful movement control. New donkeys or other equids should be quarantined before joining the herd, especially if they have traveled internationally or come from regions with uncertain disease status. Avoid sharing waterers, feed tubs, tack, grooming tools, nose bags, or trailers without cleaning and disinfection between animals.

Watch closely for nasal discharge, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, weight loss, or draining skin nodules in any donkey returning from travel or mixing with unfamiliar equids. Early recognition matters. A donkey with suspicious signs should be separated immediately and examined by your vet before normal barn routines continue.

Good prevention also means protecting people. Wear gloves when handling nasal discharge, wound drainage, bedding, or tissues from a sick donkey. Wash hands well, keep contaminated equipment separate, and follow your vet’s instructions for cleaning stalls and surfaces. If anyone has had direct exposure to suspicious secretions or tissues, tell your vet and contact a human medical professional promptly.

For farms, rescues, and transport settings, the most effective plan is a layered one: source animals carefully, quarantine arrivals, monitor daily, report concerns early, and disinfect shared equipment. That approach helps reduce the risk of glanders and many other contagious equine diseases.