Shipping Fever in Cattle: Welfare After Transport

Shipping fever (bovine respiratory disease after transport) is one of the most significant welfare challenges in beef cattle production.

Key Facts

• Shipping fever is BRD occurring in the first 21-28 days after transport to a new location
• Transport stress dramatically increases disease susceptibility through cortisol-mediated immunosuppression
• Mortality from untreated shipping fever can reach 10-20% in high-risk cattle
• Metaphylactic antibiotic treatment of all incoming high-risk cattle reduces welfare impact
• Risk factors include long transport, multiple origins, weaning stress, and seasonal weather

Welfare Considerations

Shipping fever inflicts welfare suffering at scale — the convergence of transport stress, social disruption, dietary change, and pathogen exposure creates a perfect storm for respiratory disease in recently moved cattle. The disease progresses rapidly from depression and fever to severe pneumonia within 48-72 hours without treatment, and chronic fibrinous pleuritis (lung adhesions) in surviving untreated cattle causes permanent welfare compromise. Welfare-focused receiving management requires immediate risk assessment of incoming cattle, strategic metaphylaxis for very high-risk groups, rest and nutrition recovery after transport, and daily monitoring for clinical signs during the first 21 days. Early treatment — within the first 24 hours of clinical signs — dramatically improves welfare outcomes compared to delayed intervention.

What You Can Do

• Assess the risk category of all incoming cattle — multiple-source feedlot cattle are highest risk
• Implement metaphylactic treatment for very high-risk arriving cattle under veterinary guidance
• Provide rest, water, and high-quality hay for 24-48 hours after arrival before offering grain
• Monitor all recently arrived cattle twice daily for respiratory signs during the first 21 days
• Treat clinical cases within 24 hours — delayed treatment results in permanent lung damage