IMPACTOS DO TRANSPORTE AÉREO NO ESTRESSE DE PEQUENOS ANIMAIS: FISIOPATOLOGIA E ESTRATÉGIAS DE MITIGAÇÃO

Air transport of small animals is a common practice in several contexts, including relocation, species conservation programs, and commercial transport. This activity can induce acute and chronic stress in animals, affecting their physiology and behavior. This monograph details an examination of the impacts of air transport on stress in small animals. The aim of this work is to explore how transport influences the physiology and behavior of small animals, and which methods can be effectively applied to minimize the induced stress. To achieve this end, the following specific objectives were defined: to evaluate the physiological response of animals to stress during transport, to identify the main environmental stressors, to explore management techniques that reduce the impact of stress, and to propose guidelines to optimize animal welfare. The methodological approach adopted included the review of relevant literature and the analysis of secondary data. The research findings showed that appropriate management and adaptation strategies reduce stress, leading to the conclusion that it is possible to effectively mitigate animal stress during travel. The final observations highlight the need to continue investigations in this area to deepen the understanding of the topic and promote future advances.