# Coagulation Profile of the Healthy Miranda’s Donkey

## TL;DR

This study establishes coagulation reference intervals for healthy Miranda’s donkeys in Portugal, finding age-related differences in platelet parameters.

## Contribution

The paper provides the first coagulation reference intervals for the Miranda’s donkey breed and identifies age-related variations in platelet parameters.

## Key findings

- Reference intervals for seven coagulation parameters were established for healthy Miranda’s donkeys.
- Platelet count and plateletcrit were significantly higher in younger animals compared to older ones.
- No significant differences in coagulation parameters were found between male and female donkeys.

## Abstract

Miranda’s donkey is an autochthonous Portuguese breed that is important for the culture and economy of the country’s northern region. Knowledge of the physiological characteristics of the breed is crucial for its preservation, and even if studies have been conducted, none have focused on its coagulation profile. The aim of this study was to establish reference intervals for coagulation and assess the influence of sex and age. For this, seven parameters involved in coagulation were analyzed in blood samples from 75 clinically healthy animals. Statistical differences were only found between ages in two parameters, platelet count and plateletcrit, both of which were higher in young animals. The reference intervals described here can help monitor health and guide the diagnosis and treatment of sick Miranda’s donkey, contributing to its preservation.

Miranda’s donkey, originating in northern Portugal, is an autochthonous breed that is deeply intertwined with the region’s culture and economy. Knowledge of the physiological characteristics of the breed is important for its preservation, and several studies have been carried out, but none have focused on its coagulation profile. The aim of this study was to establish reference intervals (RIs) for coagulation in healthy Miranda’s donkey and to assess the influence of sex and age. Blood samples from 75 clinically healthy animals were analyzed for seven coagulation parameters: four using IDEXX ProCyte Dx and three using Start® 4-Diagnostica-Stago. The RI values were calculated following the ASVCP guidelines and with the Reference Advisor V.2.1 software. To analyze the influence of sex and age, SPSS version 29 was used. No significant differences were found between sexes (p > 0.05), but statistically significant differences were found between ages (p < 0.05) for platelet count and plateletcrit (both higher in young animals). The RIs described here can help monitor health and guide the diagnosis and treatment of diseased Miranda’s donkeys, contributing to their preservation. Our study encourages further research on coagulation in donkeys and the use of different methodologies to obtain information for veterinarians working with this species.