Volume 100, June 2015, Pages 303–308
Highlights
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- We review transport motion impact on animal welfare.
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- Road and sea transport of livestock can produce motion sickness and stress responses.
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- Symptoms like nausea are a consequence of autonomic nervous system activation.
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- Research on livestock has occurred mainly during road transport conditions.
Abstract
Motion
sickness is a common response in humans and some species of farm
livestock during transport, but research on the impact of motion has
been primarily focused on the use of animal models for humans. During
livestock transportation, animals seek to minimise uncontrolled
movements to reduce energy consumption and maintain posture. Road and
sea transport of livestock can produce motion sickness and stress
responses. Clinical signs are the result of autonomous nervous system
activation. Studies conducted on road transportation effects in domestic
animals showed several motion sickness behaviours including vomiting
and, in ruminants, a reduction in rumination. However, there is a lack
of knowledge on the impact of sea transport motion. Despite the paucity
of data on livestock, there is sufficient evidence to believe that
motion might affect animal welfare when animals are transported by road
or sea.
Keywords
- Animal welfare;
- Livestock;
- Motion;
- Transport;
- Motion sickness;
- Stress
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
