02/25/2024
It has been said that transportation is likely the most stressful event cattle will face in their lifetime.
Even with all of the right precautions taken it is not uncommon for Highlands, especially calves, to show signs of the transition.
There are some common health concerns to watch for after a long trip. One of the most common transportation concerns is respiratory complications.
Cattle in transit experience a constantly changing environment (temperature, barometric pressure, constant wind, dust, exhaust fumes, cow butts, etc). In some cases, they will develop what is known as Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD). This is easily treated with a quality antibiotic.
A few other things to watch for are bloat, pink eye, scours, and depression. These symptoms are all caused by a change in diet and environment. Don't allow your new highland calf to have free access to hay or grain. They may be hungry from the trip and overindulge on a food that is unfamiliar to their body. When grass isn't available, ration the hay or feed to allow their fluffy bellies to digest the new food properly. Rich grasses like alfalfa and Bermuda grass can be dangerous in unregulated quantities. Depression in cattle looks a lot like depression in humans. They will distance themselves from the rest of the herd, keep their head down, sleep more than normal, and experience a loss of appetite. These health concerns are typically easy to correct when done so within the proper time frame. It is for this reason we strongly recommend scheduling a vet visit 48 - 72 hours after their arrival. A relationship with your vet will be worth its weight in gold. The small investment of a vet visit when the calves are not critically ill is an excellent time to make that connection.
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