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Pre-loading handling and conditions of transport are related to welfare, disease risk and product quality of production animals. These steps continue to be one of the major animal management problems in Brazil. This study evaluated the effects of different types of pre-loading handling and road transport times on the haematological and biochemical traits of cattle. Eighteen male cattle were submitted to three travel times (24, 48 and 72 h) in a truck soon after load using different types of pre-loading handling: traditional (rough handling), training (gentle handling) and use of flags to movement cattle. Haematological traits, blood biochemical measures as well as blood and faecal cortisol were analysed in order to assess animal welfare and physiological status. The traditional management showed to be more stressful, also had animals with a greater number of neutrophils and lower numbers of lymphocytes than handling with flags, showing that animals submitted to more stressful situations can have compromised immune system. Serum aspartate aminotransferase concentrations were within the reference levels and when taken together with increased creatine kinase patterns observed indicate muscle damage in traditional management. Decrease in glucose concentrations over time from traditional management to flag management was observed, while fructosamine was increased in traditional management with 72 h of travel. When taken together, all reported factors, immune, enzymatic, energetic and hormonal, indicate that the quality of pre-loading handling and time of transport were determinant for animal welfare, its homeostatic balance and sanitary conditions. Keywords: Animal welfare, Blood cortisol, Faecal cortisol, Haematological evaluation, Road transport

Fluid administration via the intraosseous route in Testudines at the carapacial bridge is advocated by some authors as an efficient method for replenishing fluids, whereas others advise against its use. The authors estimated the flow rates and distribution of fluids administered intraosseously to five adult male Chelonoidis denticulata with anatomically normal shells. The caudal aspect of the bridge of the carapace, immediately cranial to the rear limbs, was used as the site for catheter placement because it was considered the best candidate site to inject fluids and radiographic positive contrast. The technique was successful in two (40%) of the tortoises. Flow rates were more than sufficient to rehydrate the reptiles, with fluids entering the main circulation. The technique was ineffective in three (60%) of the tortoises, with fluids entering the coelomic cavity or not being able to be injected. Based on this pilot study, it was determined that this technique is highly prone to failure in the s...