Vaginal or Uterine Prolapse in Donkeys

See your vet immediately if you notice pink to dark red tissue protruding from your donkey’s vulva. Uterine prolapse means the uterus has turned inside out and come out through the birth canal, usually immediately after foaling or within a few hours. In horses, this is rare but very serious because major blood vessels can be damaged and the mare can go into shock or bleed heavily. Donkeys are managed similarly to mares for this emergency.

Vaginal prolapse involves the vaginal tissue, not the uterus. It may appear as a smaller soft mass at the vulva, often during late pregnancy when tissues are relaxed and abdominal pressure is higher. Even when it looks less dramatic than a uterine prolapse, exposed tissue can become swollen, contaminated, dry, or injured.

For pet parents, the key point is that both conditions need prompt veterinary attention. Early treatment improves comfort, lowers the risk of infection and trauma, and gives your vet the best chance of preserving future reproductive function.

In equids, uterine prolapse is most often a post-foaling emergency. It tends to happen when the cervix is still open and the uterus has poor tone right after delivery. Veterinary references in mares list uterine atony, excessive traction during dystocia or retained fetal membrane management, and postpartum weakness of the uterus as important contributors. Delayed tissue replacement increases contamination, swelling, and injury.

Vaginal prolapse is usually linked to late pregnancy pressure and tissue relaxation. Factors that may contribute include repeated straining, poor perineal support, body condition issues, multiple prior pregnancies, and prolonged recumbency or limited exercise. In some species, estrogenic influences and lack of exercise are discussed as risk factors; in donkeys, your vet will focus most on the individual pregnancy, foaling history, and pelvic and vulvar conformation.

Sometimes prolapse is not the only problem. Trauma from a difficult birth, retained placenta, metritis, hypocalcemia, dehydration, or shock can all complicate the picture. That is why your vet will not only replace tissue when appropriate, but also look for the underlying reason it happened.

Diagnosis starts with an urgent physical exam. Your vet will usually identify whether the exposed tissue is vaginal tissue or the uterus based on timing, appearance, and how much tissue is involved. They will also check heart rate, hydration, gum color, pain level, bleeding, and whether the donkey is showing signs of shock.

A reproductive exam may include careful visual inspection, palpation, and in some cases ultrasound once the donkey is stable. In equine reproductive work, vets commonly use vaginal examination, rectal palpation, and ultrasonography to assess the reproductive tract and look for trauma, fluid, retained membranes, or other postpartum problems.

Your vet may also recommend bloodwork to assess dehydration, blood loss, inflammation, electrolyte problems, and organ perfusion. If the prolapse happened after a difficult foaling, they may evaluate for tears, retained placenta, uterine contamination, or other injuries that affect treatment choices and prognosis.

Not every prolapse can be prevented, but good pregnancy and foaling management can lower risk. Work with your vet on body condition, exercise, mineral balance, and a foaling plan before the due date. Close observation around foaling matters because uterine prolapse in equids usually happens immediately after birth or within a few hours.

Prompt help for dystocia, retained placenta, or abnormal straining is especially important. Equine references caution against excessive traction during delivery and note that postpartum uterine problems are more likely when the uterus has poor tone or has been traumatized. Early veterinary care can reduce tissue damage and contamination.

If your donkey has had a previous prolapse, difficult foaling, poor vulvar conformation, or postpartum reproductive problems, ask your vet for a higher-monitoring plan for future pregnancies. Fast recognition is one of the most practical forms of prevention, because the sooner your vet treats a prolapse, the better the outlook tends to be.