AVMA

Question 1

Date of most recent AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia

Answer 1

2020

Question 2

Barbiturates are an AVMA acceptable form of euthanasia with what type of animal(s)?

Answer 2

Most species

Question 3

Benzocaine hydrochloride is an AVMA acceptable form of euthanasia with what type of animal(s)?

Answer 3

Fish, amphibians

Question 4

Carbon dioxide (bottled gas only) is an AVMA acceptable form of euthanasia with what type of animal(s)?

Answer 4

Small laboratory animals, birds, cats, small dogs, rabbits, mink (high concentrations required), zoo animals, amphibians, fish, some reptiles, swine

Question 5

Carbon monoxide (bottled gas only) is an AVMA acceptable form of euthanasia with what type of animal(s)?

Answer 5

Most small species including dogs, cats, rodents, mink, chinchillas, birds, reptiles, amphibians, zoo animals, rabbits

Question 6

Inhalant anesthetics are an AVMA acceptable form of euthanasia with what type of animal(s)?

Answer 6

Some amphibians, birds, cats dogs, fur bearing animals, rabbits, some reptiles, rodents and other small mammals, zoo animals, fish, free-ranging wildlife

Question 7

Microwave irradiation is an AVMA acceptable form of euthanasia with what type of animal(s)?

Answer 7

Mice and Rats

Question 8

Penetrating Captive Bolt is an AVMA acceptable form of euthanasia with what type of animal(s)?

Answer 8

Horses, ruminants, swine

Question 9

2-phenoxyethanol is an AVMA acceptable form of euthanasia with what type of animal(s)?

Answer 9

Fish

Question 10

Potassium chloride (intracardially or IV in conjunction with general anesthesia only) is an AVMA acceptable form of euthanasia with what type of animal(s)?

Answer 10

Most species

Question 11

MS-222 or tricaine methane sulfonate is an AVMA acceptable form of euthanasia with what type of animal(s)?

Answer 11

Fish, Amphibians

Question 12

Blow to the head is an AVMA acceptable form of euthanasia with what type of animal(s)?

Answer 12

Young Pigs (<3 weeks old)

Question 13

What Inhalant Agents are approved in the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia?

Answer 13

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Nitrogen (N2)
Argon (Ar)
Carbon Monoxide
Other inhalant anesthetics (eg. Ether, Halothane, Methoxyflurane, Isoflurane, Sevoflurane, Desflurane, and Enflurane)

Question 14

What Non-Inhalant Pharmaceutical Agents are approved in the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia?

Answer 14

Barbituric Acid Derivatives
Pentobarbital Combinations
Chloral Hydrate
Potassium chloride with prior General Anesthesia
Tricaine methane sulfonate (MS 222, TMS)
T-61

Question 15

Unacceptable injectable agents

Answer 15

When used alone, the injectable agents listed in Appendix 4 -
(Strychnine, nicotine, caffeine, magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, cleaning agents, solvents, disinfectants, and other toxins or salts, and all neuromuscular blocking agents)

These are unacceptable and are absolutely condemned for use as euthanasia agents

Question 16

What Physical Methods are approved in the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia?

Answer 16

Captive bolt
Gunshot
Cervical Dislocation
Decapitation
Exsanguination
Electrocution
Microwave irradiation
Kill traps
Thoracic compression
Maceration
Stunning
Pithing

Question 17

AVMA approved methods of euthanasia for amphibians?

Answer 17

Acceptable:
Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics (in appropriate species), CO2, CO, MS-222, benzocaine hydrochloride, double pithing

Conditionally acceptable:
Penetrating Captive Bolt, gunshot, stunning and decapitation, decapitation and pithing

Question 18

AVMA approved methods of euthanasia for birds?

Answer 18

Acceptable:
Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics, CO2, CO, gunshot (free-ranging only)

Conditionally Acceptable:
N2, Ar, cervical dislocation, decapitation, thoracic compression (small, free-ranging only), maceration (chicks, poults, and pipped eggs only)

Question 19

AVMA approved methods of euthanasia for cats?

Answer 19

Acceptable:
Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics, CO2, CO, potassium chloride in conjunction w/ general anesthesia

Conditionally Acceptable:
N2, Ar

Question 20

AVMA approved methods of euthanasia for dogs?

Answer 20

Acceptable:
Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics, CO2, CO, potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia

Conditionally Acceptable:
N2, Ar, penetrating captive bolt, electrocution

Question 21

AVMA approved methods of euthanasia for fish?

Answer 21

Acceptable:
Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics, CO2, MS-222, benzocaine hydrochloride, 2-phenoxyethanol

Conditionally Acceptable:
Decapitation and pithing, stunning and decapitation/pithing

Question 22

AVMA approved methods of euthanasia for horses?

Answer 22

Acceptable:
Barbiturates, potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia, penetrating captive bolt

Conditionally Acceptable:
Chloral hydrate (IV, after sedation), gunshot, electrocution