I wrote to them, and they wrote a lovely e-mail back.
What nice people.

Aww, poor lil guy. I made a small donation, and it’s great to see that excess funds are going to other worthy causes. Way to go to everyone who donated (and thanks to Cute Overload for bringing this story to my attention)!

That is a really pretty baby donkey. Will its legs ever straighten out?

Hey, they’re up to $32,000, well done people – excess donations going to a donkey sanctuary and an orthopedic hospital for children. Nice way to start the weekend…

Well, I’m in!! Hope the bebeh’s all better soon!!

Nate, this is the most flattering pic of the deformity. I too have had many horses with knocked knees after birth similar to what you describe, but this is a truly acute deformity resulting in severe turnout to the point where the hoof wasn’t bearing the donkey’s weight — the inner hock was. Even with ready vet care, this kind of treatment requires years of surgeries and therapy and can easily cost $25,000 or more.

Did everybody see how much money has been donated to Lonegan’s cause? That’s wonderful. *snif*

A winkey wonkey donkey!

berthaservant: “Let’s hear it for the cute little asses! (heh)”

Darn, you beat me to it!

We’ve had a few horse colts born with knees like that. What it DOES NOT cost is $25,000 to fix them. If they’re not too bad, plastic splints can be used for a few months. For surgery options, there is stapling or the preferred “stripping” of the ligaments. Usually both of these will work for a few hundred dollars at the most. The splints are made from PVC pipe for a few dollars. If your vet wants anywhere near $25,000, you’d better get a second opinion.