10. Euthanasia

Question 1

What is important when it comes to euthanasia?

Answer 1

Should be approached with respect for the animal and everyone involved

Question 2

What are the 3 basic mechanisms of euthanasia?

Answer 2

• Direct neuronal depression- non/inhalant pharmaceutical agents
• Hypoxia- inhaled gas
• Physical disruption of brain activity- decapitation/gunshot

Question 3

What can affect the choice of type of euthanasia?

Answer 3

• Ability to induce loss of consciousness and death without pain or anxiety
• Time required to induce loss of consciousness
• Documented emotional effects on observers and operators
• Drug availability and human abuse potential
• Legal requirements
  (AVMA, 2011)

Question 4

What client considerations are there?

Answer 4

• age, disease, behaviour, welfare, species, finance, beliefs can all factor
• Relationship with the client is key so that the client has the best interest of the animal in view

Question 5

how and why do we euthanise using inhalant techniques?

Answer 5

• using inhalant gases and anaesthetics
• Considered acceptable and conditionally acceptable for lab animals, small dogs, cats and some exotics (non-traditional companion animals)
• Their use may not be ideal with the owner present – especially when the animal must be placed in a chamber

Facemasks of different sizes required – need to be secured

Cotton balls soaked in anaesthetic liquids may be placed within masks

Question 6

What are the two methods of euthanasia in practice?

Answer 6

Inhalant techniques or non-inhalant pharmaceutical agents

Question 7

What are the 4 stages of anaesthesia and euthanasia?

Answer 7

• voluntary excitement (premed)
• involuntary excitement (induction)
• anaesthesia (maintenance/can be reversed)
• medullary paralysis (death)

Question 8

What kind of drugs can we use for euthanasia?

Answer 8

barbiturate or barbiturate combinations (IV)- pentobarbital

Propofol can also be used to facilitate euthanasia by anaesthetic overdose