Heat stress and animal transport – Text version
Heat stress and animal transport
Signs of animals overheating
- unsettled or lethargic
- vocalizing
- heavy mouth (or beak) breathing
- breathing fast
- sweating (horses and cattle)
- red, blotchy skin
- dehydrated (skin tent, dry gums, sunken eyes)
Conditions increasing the risk of overheating
- body size (large)
- body condition (thin, fat)
- age (very young or old)
- lactating (require more fluids)
- pregnant
- full coated (insulated)
Assess each animal carefully!
Animals cool themselves by
- heat evaporation from:
- lungs, by panting
- skin, by sweating
- seeking shade/shelter
- increasing air flow around their bodies
Pigs and birds cannot sweat!
They are at higher risk of overheating.
Humid conditions increase overheating risk
Low humidity
Sweat evaporates easily because there is room in the air for more water vapor molecules.
High humidity
Sweat builds up and won't evaporate because the air is already full of water vapor molecules.
Preventing heat stress in animal transport
Plan
- Assess each animal before loading
- Plan route
- Schedule to reduce stopping and wait times
- Coordinate along supply line
- Know what to do when animals are overheating
Maximize ventilation
- Keep trucks moving
- Open vents
- Increase air flow between animals (reduce loading density)
Care for animals
- Hydrate animals before loading
- Gentle, calm handling
- Increase space for each animal
Protect from environmental conditions
- Avoid traveling during the hottest part of the day and in humid conditions
- Provide shade protection when parked for
- driver rest
- waiting to unload
Monitor often. Take action!
- Communicate concerns to contact at destination
- Stop, unload and provide water, if required
- Re-route, if needed
- Keep driving to keep air flowing
- If misting to cool animals, use caution (without good ventilation, misting could create conditions similar to a sauna)