October 2017 Airline Pet Travel Report

Delta Airlines

An Australian Shepherd puppy was accepted for transport in Kansas City, MO destined for Providence, RI with a transfer in Detroit, MI. The puppy was accepted in apparent good health with all documentation and kenneling requirements met. The puppy was loaded on the originating flight with no irregularities along with three other animal shipments. Upon arrival in Detroit the puppy was unloaded and noticed unresponsive.
The station staff in Detroit transported the puppy to a local Veterinarian. Veterinary services determined the puppy was deceased. A necropsy was completed by Michigan State University which indicated that the puppy died from an acute heart attack. Delta stated that no corrective action was taken.

A kitten was accepted for transport in Indianapolis, IN destined for Bozeman, MT with a transfer in Minneapolis, MN. The kitten was accepted in apparent good health with all documentation and kenneling requirements met. The kitten was loaded on the originating flight with no irregularities. Upon arrival in Minneapolis the kitten was unloaded and taken to the animal holding area. At the time the kitten was picked up to be dispatched for the next flight the local staff in Minneapolis noticed the kitten unresponsive.
According to the Necropsy provided by the University of Minnesota the kitten died from enteritis caused by intestinal feline corona virus with secondary spiral bacteria, a pre-existing medical condition.

United Airlines A four year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Lulu died of heat stroke during a flight to San Francisco, CA from Houston, TX. United stated that two other animals arrived in good condition. No corrective action was taken, but the report makes no comments about temperatures in Houston or San Francisco. It should be noted that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a brachycephalic dog.

A two year-old Australian Shepherd names Ajax injured itself clawing at its kennel on a flight to San Francisco, CA.

A three and a half year-old Belgian Malinois named Rock injured itself while escaping from plastic shipping container during a flight from Boston, MA to Newark, NJ. Rock received bruising to his abdomen area. No corrective action was taken by the airline.