Bearded Dragon That Needed To Get To Florida For Surgery Has Died
Feburary 3, 2015
Beardie, the bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) that a Saco, ME veterinarian was trying to get to Florida for cancer surgery, has died. She was 8-years-old.
Dr. Sandra Mitchell of Animal Medical Associates accompanied the owner of Beardie on a 1,700 mile road trip to the Florida Keys to assist veterinarian and reptile specialist Dr. Douglas Mader on the surgery. The surgery was performed Friday, and initially it seemed successful but Beardie later went into cardiac arrest and wasn’t able to be revived in spite of efforts by the veterinarians.
Beardie, seen here wrapped in a blanket, was 8-years-old.
A call out was made last week for assistance in getting Beardie to Florida after all airlines refused to allow the lizard into the cabin with her owner. Mitchell and the owner decided to make the trek down the Eastern Seaboard all the way to the tip of Florida. Beardie stayed in the heated front seat of the car, restrained in her cage by the seat belt and the owner and Mitchell took turns driving.
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Could Beardie have been saved if she had gotten to Florida sooner and via an airplane? Many airlines allow small dogs and cats in the cabin as long as they stay in their carrier. A bearded dragon in a carrier would be a silent traveler, so is there a bit of discrimination against non-furry critters? Do airlines need to change their policies with regard to certain exotic pets and cabin travel? Leave a comment and sound off below.
John B. Virata keeps a western hognose snake, a ball python, two corn snakes, a king snake, and two leopard geckos. His first snake, a California kingsnake, was purchased at the Pet Place in Westminster, CA for $5. His first pet reptile was a green anole that arrived in a small box via mail order. Follow him on Twitter @johnvirata
