My Veterinary Essentials

Today I worked on a Lowland Anoa: the Anoa is classified as endangered in its native Indonesia. These small bovids are similar but much smaller than the black and white dairy cows we are accustomed to seeing. They are also called miniature water buffalo. All bovids are characterized by having a multi-chambered stomach which is used to digest plant material. Bovids are often seen chewing and re-chewing their food, a process called rumination; for this reason, we also call these animals ruminants. Rumination requires the need for a lot of water making the ruminant susceptible to fluid aspiration during anesthesia. Aspiration occurs when fluid in the stomach is regurgitated and leaked into the lungs. The consequences of aspiration can be life threatening as digesta can contain large amounts of bacteria. The multi-chambered stomach in ruminants is large but is predominantly on the left side of the body (as with most mammals including humans), therefore placing a ruminant on its right side is one strategy to reduce pressure on the stomach and the potential for aspiration. The Anoa today had a routine exam, hoof trim, dental exam and assorted prophylactic injections. The procedure was uneventful and recovery was ideal.