Responses of buffaloes to heavy working load under tropical conditions

Four male buffaloes of 3 to $\text{3}\text{1}\text{2}$ years were subjected to heavy loads during hot dry conditions for 3 h continuously. Rectal temperature, respiration rate and heart rate increased significantly. The blood pH, P_O2, increased significantly and P_CO2 declined. During work, buffaloes were not able to eliminate heat produced and exhibited such distress symptoms as profuse salivation, frothing, lack of leg co-ordination, excitement and tongue protrusion. The muzzle secretion of buffaloes increased greatly. Even 3 h after discontinuation of work, the physiological reactions had not fully disappeared.