Table 2 Summary of findings in 12 deceased donkeys with besnoitiosis identified over a period of 3 years (from 2016 to 2019)

1^a

29-year-old female

Chronic stiffness, osteoarthritis and alopecia

Hyperkeratosis, ulceration and lymphoplasmacytic dermatitis, with one Besnoitia cyst in the dermis

2^a

28-year-old gelding

Chronic and progressive alopecia, crusts and ulcers

Multiple eosinophilic granulomas and Besnoitia cysts in the dermis with no associated inflammation

3^a,c

6-year-old gelding

Dental disease, penile sheath phimosis and skin issues

Besnoitia cysts were found within the dermis with no surrounding inflammation

4^a,c

5-year-old gelding

Repeated sarcoids plus an inoperable sarcoid on penile sheath

Moderate enlargement of inguinal lymph nodes with one Besnoitia cyst in the subcapsular space of the inguinal lymph node

5^c

28-year-old gelding

Intractable pain, corneal ulceration, keratitis and conjunctivitis

Chronic, mild to moderate, conjunctivitis with intralesional Besnoitia cysts in both conjunctivae

6

23-year-old gelding

Severe dental disease and chronic osteoarthritis

Chronic, moderate, diffuse lymphoplasmacytic conjunctivitis with one Besnoitia cyst in the conjunctiva and eyelid

7^b,c

8-year-old gelding

Inoperable sarcoid mass in the left-hand side of the upper lip

Besnoitia cysts were identified adjacent to sarcoid without associated inflammation

8

32-year-old gelding

Lameness due to hoof abscess, with stiffness and arthritis

Besnoitia cysts in iris, extraocular muscles, conjunctiva, sclera, third eyelid and larynx

9^b

13-year-old gelding

Recurrent sarcoids and neurological signs

Besnoitia cysts were identified adjacent to a sarcoid without associated inflammation

10^a

21-year-old female

Chronic and progressive lameness and osteitis

Besnoitia cysts surrounded by lymphoplasmacytic inflammation in laminar corium of the left fore limb

11^a

24-year-old female

Chronic laminitis, hoof abscess and third phalanx osteitis

Besnoitia cyst surrounded by inflammation in the third phalanx and stratum lamellatum of the right fore limb

12

28-year-old gelding

Recurrent, persistent ulcerative dermatitis

Chronic, multifocal, lymphoplasmacytic inflammation with intralesional Besnoitia cysts in the larynx, muzzle, sclera of both eyes and conjunctiva