August 2011 Airline Pet Travel Report

Continental reports the death of a two year-old French Mastiff named Duke. Duke arrived in Houston, Texas from New Orleans, Louisiana and was in obvious distress and was quickly transported from the aircraft to the kennel area for assistance but died prior to being able to reach an emergency veterinary clinic. A necropsy was performed and reported "The pneumonitis being equivalent to pneumonia .. an inflammation of the lung tissue; and the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy the preexisting cardiac disease often found in the Giant breeds of dogs".

Continental also reports the death of a five year-old cat named Koohi. Koohi escaped from its kennel while being loaded at Honolulu, Hawaii and found dead three days later, likely of dehydration or heat exhaustion. Continental reports that the Honolulu vendor company was put on warning and they're accepting agent was disciplined regarding the proper placement of our mandatory zip ties.

Delta reports the injury of a five year-old Golden Retriever named Hubbell. Hubbell arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah from San Jose, California with a bloody paw. The owner determined Hubbell was fine and stated he was a hyper dog, who was a first time flyer.

Delta reports the death of an 8 month-old chinchilla. A chinchilla traveled from St. Louis, Missouri to Atalanta, Georgia, and then on to New York, New York. The following day, agents at JFK visually inspected the animal and provided food and water. Delta Agents stated the animal was in good condition and showed no signs of distress or illness. Upon arrival into Moscow, Russia the next day, the animal was pronounced deceased by the local Veterinary Authorities. The chinchilla was returned to New York, and a necropsy was performed, stating "to the best of our knowledge cause of death was due to a septic gastroenteritis or acute heart failure from stress".

Delta also reports the death of an 11 year-old cat named Phoebe. Phoebe was traveling from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to Atalanta, Georgia. Upon arrival in Atalanta, one of the two cats traveling was unresponsive, lying down it its kennel. A necropsy was performed and the doctor’s comments regarding the cause of death stated "the microscopic findings are characteristic of chronic heart failure secondary to myocardial fibrosis of an undetermined etiology".