Transport stress has led to live weight loss and greater carcass loss, whereas it is also accepted that animals dehydrate with increasing transit time. Management strategies for dealing with problems caused by transport stress have included rest periods during and after transport, the use of supplemental potassium and the use of electrolyte solutions. However there is lack of information pertaining to the effects of transport stress on the acid-base physiology of ruminants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of transportation and/or feed and water deprivation on acid-base balance of Bos indicus steers. Steers were evaluated in three experimental groups. The control group received ad libitum access to feed and water. The second group was deprived of feed and water for 60 hours. The third group was transported for 48 hr following withdrawal of feed and water for 12 hours. Blood gases, electrolytes, lactate, total protein, albumin, anion gap, strong ion difference, and total weak acids were determined at the conclusion of transportation. It is concluded from the results of this study that Bos indicus steers transported for 48 h are able to maintain their acid-base balance within normal values. The primary challenge to these animals seems to be the elevation of total weak acids via an increase in plasma albumin concentration as a result of dehydration. The loss of electrolytes had little effect on the acid-base balance of the animals.