Transport Recumbency of Ruminants

[Kvet Forum]

Transport recumbency occurs after prolonged transport, usually in cows and ewes in late pregnancy. It is also recorded in lambs transported to feedlots and in cows and sheep delivered to abattoirs. It is characterized by recumbency, alimentary tract stasis, and coma, and it is highly fatal. It occurs in most countries.

Large losses can be encountered when cows and ewes in late pregnancy are moved long distances by truck, by rail, or on foot. Although cows of any age in late pregnancy are most commonly affected, the disease has also been recorded in cows recently calved, steers, dry cows, and lambs.

Risk factors include the following:

• Heavy feeding before shipment.
• Deprivation of feed and water for more than 24 hours during transit
• Unrestricted access to water.
• Exercise immediately after unloading.

There is an increased incidence of the disease during hot weather. The cause is unknown, although physical stress is an obvious factor.
Lambs show the following characteristics:

• Restlessness
• Staggering
• Partial paralysis of hindlegs
• Early assumption of lateral recumbency

Death may occur quickly, or after 2 to 3 days of recumbency. The recovery rate even with treatment is only fair.

Clinical signs may occur while the cattle are still on the transportation vehicle or up to 48 hours after unloading. In the early stages, animals may exhibit excitement and restlessness, trismus, and grinding of the teeth. A staggering gait with paddling of the hindlegs and recumbency occur, accompanied by stasis of the alimentary tract and complete anorexia. Animals that do not recover gradually become comatose and die in 3 to 4 days.

There are no lesions at necropsy other than those related to prolonged recumbency. Ischemic muscle necrosis is the most obvious of these lesions.

The relationship of the disease to transport or forced exercise is diagnostic.

Some cases respond to treatment with combined calcium, magnesium, and glucose injections. Repeated parenteral injections of large volumes of electrolyte solutions are recommended. In lambs, the SC injection of a solution of calcium and magnesium salts is recommended.

If prolonged transport of cows or ewes in advanced pregnancy is unavoidable, they should be provided with adequate food, water, and rest periods during the trip.