Mule Genetics, Parasites and VaccinationsDr.Kedar KarkiGenetics and Breeding

Horses have 64 chromosomes, while donkeys have 62. When horses and donkeysare mated, the mule offspring have 63 chromosomes. The gestation period indonkeys is 12 months on average, but it may vary from 11 to 14 months.Despite being considered sterile, mare mules and mare hinnies will have estruscycles. These cycles can be regular, or erratic and variable. Female hinnies andmules can be used as embryo transfer recipients but care must be given tocompatibility of donor and recipient. There have been documented cases offertility in the female mule but not the female hinny (7). A report fromMorocco indicates that a mule mare produced a foal with 62 chromosomes. Thecells of the mule mare were a mosaic, some carrying 63 chromosomes whileothers carried 62. The foal has 62 and is believed to be fathered by a donkey.This is the fourth female mule to be confirmed to be fertile (8).Intact male donkeys and mules can be quite "stallion-like" or aggressive inbehaviour. If they are not being used for breeding purposes or as a teaser, it ishighly recommended that they be castrated. Castration must be performed bya veterinarian.

Parasites

Donkeys and mules can also be infested by ectoparasites (skin parasites) suchas flies, lice, ticks, mites and warbles. For further information on Lice onHorses refer toThe internal parasites that affect donkeys and mules are typical for other equidspecies and, therefore, the recommendations for control and treatment arethose that we use for horses. However, lungworms are reported to be morecommon in donkeys than horses. A comprehensive parasite control programshould include pasture management and environmental sanitation, and regularanthelmintic wormer administration. Performing routine fecal egg counts willhelp to determine the efficacy of treatment and control programs.Anthelmintics should be chosen conscientiously and their use should be rotatedslowly to decrease the occurrence of resistance. A slow rotation of wormers isrecommended (the same wormer over the course of a year or more). Yourveterinarian can help to determine the correct parasite control program foryou.