Air cargo holds danger to short-snouted dogs

LAP dogs with short faces as well as bigger bull dogs are prone to death during flights because of respiratory problems when in cargo holds where extreme cold and hot air conditions create difficulties in getting air to the lungs from shorter snouts.

"We are not a veterinary agency, so we don't get into the reasons why these dogs face a higher risk," said US Department of Transportation (DOT) spokesman Bill Mosley, reported the Chicago Tribune report.

The DOT announcement noted particular pure breeds susceptible to problems on flights were pugs and bulldogs, English and French, and American Staffordshire terriers and accounted for half of 122 canine deaths over a five year period.

Cats and birds provided the highest mortality rates, but dogs were the highest percentage of pets transported overall. Of the total number of pets travelled in the five-year period, 55 were injured and 33 died.
(Source:www.schednet.com)