My dog died during air transportation

[Apple208]

How or why did my 12 year old Miniature Yorkshire Terrier die on route via air transportation?  She weighed 2 kilos, and has been blind due to cataracts for the last 4 years, but can still move about really well, slowly and surely.  Other than that, she was healthy and could be quite lively most times.  We were transferred from Singapore to North America, and decided to fly our 3 dogs via KLM as air cargo, since they are reputed to be one of the best with a pet hotel at Amsterdam airport where they have specially trained pet handlers to take them out for a break with food, water, etc.  It was a rather long journey (13 hours from Singapore to Amsterdam, then 10 hours break at the Amstedam airport pet hotel, and then another 10 hours from Amsterdam to Vancouver), but my other 2 dogs (Malteses, one is 13 years old and one is 2 years old) made it (thank God!).  Supposedly, my Yorkshire Terrier boarded at Amsterdam for the second leg of the journey still alive.

Could someone kindly provide some insight as to what could have gone wrong, and if there was anything else that I overlooked and/or could have done better or differently?  I did train my dogs to be used to the carriers one month before flight.  They stayed in the carriers at least one hour a day with treats and water.  The only thing that did trouble me a little was that my Yorkshire Terrier would just still quietly in the carrier and was not interested in the treats and/or water at all.  

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Rigor Mortis occurs 2 to 6 hours after death.  I am sorry that I cannot be more specific than that.  I hope you will eventually get an answer to the sad circumstance!

[Apple208]

Dear Doctor & Member,

Thank you for replying!

What is still upsetting and frustrating is that an autopsy has been done, but the vet said they are still not able to diagnose the cause of death, and that my Yorkshire Terrier looked in pretty good shape for her age of 12 years (which she was, other than her cataracts).

Is it possible that the vet is not able to diagnose the cause of death due to her size since she was a miniature and weighed only 1.8kg?

Also, when I finally saw her body after clearing customs about 7pm (the plane landed at 4:25pm) , rigor mortis had already set in, but she was not completely stiff and hard.  How long would complete rigor mortis set in for a tiny dog of 1.8kg?  This way, I could at least estimate when she may have died, either in mid-flight or after landing?

[peekawho]

How very upsetting!  

We flew our dogs across the country 2 years ago in late Sept.  There were very strict guidelines about which months air travel was restricted, owing to the high chance of temperature extremes.  

Even with good handlers from a reputable company, reasonable temperatures, and a nonstop flight across country, all 3 of our dogs arrived very stressed and very ill with diarrhea.  

I'm so sorry for your loss.  Air travel was certainly unavoidable in your case.  

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

I am terribly sorry and saddened by your loss!  

She could have died from dehydration, or her death could have been coincidental due her age.  She was a senior citizen.  

I don't know if it is possible but a post mortem could be performed on her body for the most definitive answer.  

Flying pets during the hot summer months is always difficult, but KLM does have a good reputation, as does Singapore airlines.  I hope KLM will at least offer some financial recourse.