Mike V (1990-2007)

Mike V

Mike V

Mike V was born October 19, 1989, and came to Ä¢¹½tv when he was four months old. Mike V was donated to Ä¢¹½tv by Dr. Thomas and Caroline Atchison of the Animal Zoological Park in Moulton, Ala.

He was introduced to Ä¢¹½tv fans at the Ä¢¹½tv-Alabama basketball game in February 1990, and he was moved into his home, north of Tiger Stadium, on April 30, 1990.  When Mike V first came to Ä¢¹½tv, his night house was part of the original habitat constructed in 1937.

Mike V underwent three medical procedures: two root canals and one benign tumor removal. All procedures were done at the Ä¢¹½tv School of Veterinary Medicine.

Mike V passed away at 2:23 a.m. on May 18, 2007, of renal failure. He had been anesthetized and brought to the Ä¢¹½tv SVM on May 16 so that Dr. David Baker could determine the cause of recent weight loss and respiratory difficulty. During the examination, it was determined that Mike had a large amount of fluid around his lungs. Emergency surgery was performed, and the fluid successfully removed. Unfortunately, Mike’s aged kidneys could not tolerate the anesthesia and failed.

Mike V was cremated, and his ashes are located in the Andonie Museum next to the Ä¢¹½tv Alumni Association on Ä¢¹½tv’s campus.