Shipping fever in horses, also known as equine shipping pneumonia, is a respiratory condition triggered by stress and exposure to pathogens during transportation, often resulting in fever, coughing, nasal discharge, and potentially more severe respiratory complications

Shipping Fever (Pleuropneumonia)

Seek veterinary advice if you suspect this disease.

Shipping fever in horses, also known as equine shipping pneumonia, is a respiratory condition triggered by stress and exposure to pathogens during transportation, often resulting in fever, coughing, nasal discharge, and potentially more severe respiratory complications.

Long-distance travel compromises the natural immune defence of a horse. An increased level of stress hormone due to travelling reduces immune function. While travelling the horse’s head is fixated in an upward position leading to an increase in the number of inflammatory cells and bacteria in the trachea and lungs. The outcome is shipping fever, which ultimately is a case of pneumonia.

Symptoms

  • Lethargy
  • Reluctant to move
  • Stiff
  • Low appetite
  • Coughing
  • Laboured Breathing
  • High Respiration
  • Nostril Discharge
  • Depressed
  • Anxious
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Fever

Treatment

Treatment consists of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and supportive care.

Prevention

To prevent shipping fever one should refrain from travelling with horses that already have a compromised immune system.

Furthermore, one should try to reduce the amount of dust and bacteria by cleaning the trailer beforehand and ensuring good ventilation while travelling. Taking breaks in between and allowing the horse to stretch its neck and lower its head to the ground can help prevent shipping fever as well.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.

With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.

The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

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