Report Details

Carrier: Delta Air Lines

Flight Number: DL 015

Date and Time of Incident 14 March 2011

Type of Incident: Death

Description of Animal Breed: Guinea Pig Age: 5 years

Description of Incident: Two Guinea Pigs died during transportation from Frankfurt Germany to Atlanta Georgia. The condition of the pets was discovered by the unloading agent and the passenger was notified. The temperature at Frankfurt was 50O and 70O in Atlanta. No reports of issues with systems that could affect cargo hold temperatures.

Cause of Incident: Necropsies were completed. The first pet, Arthur had microscopic changes in the heart which were likely associated with the cause of death. The change in temperature, environment and stress could have decreased the ability to compensate for the heart disease and/or could have triggered an arrhythmia.

The second pet, Tuck also had changes noted in the heart that likely contributed to death. The stressful conditions probably decreased the compensatory mechanisms or triggered an arrhythmia and he had subsequent heart failure with pulmonary congestion and edema.

Corrective Action Taken: No corrective action indicated.