Dexamethasone reduces transport-induced weight losses in beef calves

Cook, N. J., Veira, D., Church, J. S. and Schaefer, A. L. 2009. Dexamethasone reduces transport-induced weight losses in beef calves. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 89: 335-339. Dexamethasone wits administered intramuscularly at two dose levels (Trial 1 = 0.088 mg kg(-1); Trial 2 = 10 mg per calf) to beef calves (Trial 1, n = 60; Trial 2, n = 58) prior to transport by road for 10 and 8 h, to test the effect on transport-induced weight losses. Calves lost significant weight over the transport periods (P < 0.001) but dexamethasone-treated calves lost significantly less weight than control animals (P < 0.004). The relationship between salivary dexamethasone concentrations and weight losses in Trial I exhibited it significant trend (r = 0.47, P < 0.06). The correlation of administered dose of dexamethasone (mg kg(-1)) with weight losses in Trial 2 was significant (r = 0.5, P < 0.006). Dexamethasone administration prior to long-haul transport reduced transport-induced weight losses, and may be an effective method of mitigating transport stress.