Poor donkey!
Jonty the donkey was blinded in a freak accident and is slowly being nursed back to health, but is having to wear special sunglasses in the process.
It all began when the Devon-based mule stepped on a sharp thorn, leading him to be rushed to specialist donkey unit at an animal hospital in Sidmouth, Devon.
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The thorn was removed, but Jonty developed a chronic eye problem as a result of the stress of the operation. Now, the ass is being forced to wear special sunglasses to protect his sensitive eyes from UV rays.
"The stress of the injury and coming into hospital possibly triggered the recurrence of a chronic eye problem," said veterinary surgeon Vicky Grove.
"Jonty suffered an immune-mediated inflammation of his whole eye. He had ulcers on his cornea, his eyes were running, and it was really painful - he lost his sight."
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However, luckily poor Jonty was left with some sight, which the staff at the hospital - run by the Donkey Sanctuary - are keen to save.
"The mask is just like wearing sunglasses, and Jonty has made some good progress, though the back of his eye is still damaged," Vicky continued.
"We are monitoring his eyes with an ophthalmoscope, and we have tested his eyesight with an obstacle course, which he has completed so we think he is now just partially-sighted."
While donkeys are known for forming close bonds, Jonty apparently prefers his own company, and is taking time to recover on his own.
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WE'RE NOT CRYING YOU ARE.
After some R&R, Jonty will be moved near to Slade House Farm, The Donkey Sanctuary's main visitor site, where he'll join a small group of other donkeys, including a partially-sighted male called Will.
Jonty will be made to wear his 'sunglasses' for most of the summer while he tries to recover. Can someone pass on the message we think he looks lovely in them?
Get well soon, Jonty!
Featured Image Credit: SWNS