Alternative methods for the identification of Philippine water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), cattle (Bos taurus) and pig (Sus scrofa domesticus)

Three alternative methods for the identification of Philippine water buffalo, cattle and pig are herein described. These are muzzle and palatine printings in the Philippine water buffalo and cattle, and possibly snout printing in the pig. These methods evolved out of examination of the detailed anatomy of the muzzle and hard palate of the Philippine water buffalo, and the snout of the pig. The muzzle (Planum nasolabiale) is that part of the nose which is bounded dorsally by an imaginary line connecting the superior commissure of the nostrils, laterally by the median wings of the nostrils and ventrally by the upper lip. Its skin is normally dark colored, hairless (except in the Philippine water buffalo) and is marked by numerous polygonal surface elevations or tubercles that are surrounded by grooves. The muzzle is divided externally into equal left and right halves by the philtrum of variable length. The philtrum in some animals is absent. The surface tubercles usually occur singly in the carabao; however, in the ox they may coalesce to form ridges which may run from the median raphe in various patterns and directions. The hard palate (palatum durum) together with its bony support forms the roof of the oral cavity proper. Its tough mucosa is converted into two rows of transversely oriented ridges that are separated at the midline by the palatins raphe. The mucosa is variably pigmented, although, it is generally more pigmented in the ox than in the Philippine water buffalo. Palatine ridges meet at the midline in an end to end manner or alternate with each other. The rostral end of the hard palate is represented by the incisive papilla which is flanked on each side by the dental pads. The snout (rostrum) in the pig is the disc-shaped apex of the nose which is fused ventrally with the central part of the upper lip. Its lateral borders present the nostrils. In live pigs numerous fine hairs are scattered on the surface of snout. A philtrum runs dorsally from the middle of the upper lip dividing the snout into left and right parts. In scalded specimen, numerous small circularly-shaped surface elevations or tubercles populate the surface of the snout. Muzzle, palatine and snout printings practically require the same supplies and materials such as mimeograph ink and paper. Animals to be printed should be adequately restrained. Before the muzzle, hard palate and the snout are inked, they should be thoroughly cleaned first to remove contaminants. On closer examinations, no two muzzle and palatine prints are exactly identical. Because of this, they could be considered as alternative methods for the identification of Philippine water buffalo and cattle. As for snout printing, the snout prints are not that clear or distinct. Further studies, therefore, should be done on snout printing in order to consider snout printing as an alternative method for pig identification. For palatine printing, there is a need for a mouth speculum specifically for Philippine carabao that will open the mouth wide and also one that is not resisted by the animal. The two most important problems encountered in palatines printing are difficulty in keeping the mouth widely opened and to control head movements. It is therefore recommended that animal record should include muzzle and palatine prints. Muzzle and palatine prints could be likened to human fingerprints.