shipping fever

shipping fever   n.  Any of various diseases contracted by cattle or other animals during shipping or similarly stressful events, especially one caused by bacteria of the genus Pasteurella, characterized by fever and coughing.

Main Entry: ship·ping fever
Function: noun
: an often fatal febrile disease especially of young cattle and sheep that occurs under highly stressful conditions (asshipment over long distances and crowding in feedlots), is marked by high fever and pneumonia, and is caused by bacteria (especially Pasteurella haemolytica) usually in association with a virus

shipping fever

any bacterial disease caused by Pasteurella species. The name is sometimes used interchangeably with the so-called shipping fever, a specific type of pasteurellosis (caused by Pasteurella multocida) that commonly attacks cattle under stress, as during shipping. In this type of pasteurellosis, fever is followed by respiratory difficulty, which may lead to pneumonia and more severe symptoms. Treatment includes isolation, rest, and antibiotic therapy. Some immunity may be gained from antiserums and other preventive preparations. P. haemolytica, another organism that causes pasteurellosis, can produce pneumonia in sheep and cattle and septicemia in other animals

Learn more about shipping fever with a free trial on Britannica.com.