Clinical and euthanasia 2 Flashcards
What are potential methods for the administration of drugs for euthanasia?
- IV
- Intrarenal
- Inhalation
- Intracardiac
- In food
- Small exotics: intrahepatic, intraperitoneal
Briefly describe IV euthanasia in small animals
- Always place catheter if possible
- Cephalic catheter easiest
- Saphenous catheter allows owner unrestricted access to the front of the animal
- Pre-med with ACP/injectable anaesthetic agent may avoid “terminal gasp”
Briefly describe IV euthanasia of horses
- Large volumes required
- Always place catheter
- Rapid action causes horse to drop, difficult to control
- Sedation may be required prior to injection
What routes of euthanasia drug administration may be used in debilitated cats?
- Intrarenal
- Inhalational anaesthetic then intracardiac injection
- NB take care with alpha-2 agonists
What route of euthanasia drug administration may be used in aggressive dogs?
- Mix with food (takes <60mins)
- Pre-med with medetomidine to allow IV, but may make patient hypotensive and venepuncture more difficult
- Muzzle, capture poles and squeezing/trapping with doors may be important
What routes of euthanasia administration may be used in small exotics? What is a consideration of these?
- Intrahepatic, intraperitoneal (may go through excitation phase)
- Inhalational anaesthesia followed by intracardiac injection
When might intrarenal euthanasia administration be used and what is a consideration?
- When it is difficult to find a vein
- May be painful
What routes of euthanasia administration may be used in birds?
- Intrahepatic
- Intraosseous
- Inhalational anaesthesia then intracranial (caudal approach)
What is a disadvantage of using alpha-2 agonists in euthanasia?
- Often leads to vomiting
- Can affect peripheral circulation and complicate/prevent finding a vein
What are some disadvantages of inhalational euthanasia using iso or sevoflurane?
- Need 2-3x mean alveolar concentration to induce apnoea
- Rapid gas flow can be noisy and frighten small exotics and wildlife species
- Alveolar concentrations rise slowly due to decreased ventilation, may get agitation before induction of anaesthesia
- Reptiles, amphibians diving birds and diving mammals very resistant to hypoxia so inhalation is not effective
Describe the confirmation of death in euthanasia
- Cessation of vital signs
- Absence of heart beat
- Absence of papebral reflex
Outline the difficulties in euthanasia of ectotherms
- Different metabolism and respiration cf other companion animals
- Very tolerant of cerebral hypoxia
Describe the anatomical site for euthanasia by firearms in adult cattle
- 2/3rds up forehead
- Intersection of lines from top of ear base to lateral canthus of opposite eye
- Slightly off midline to avoid bony septum
- Angle perpendicular to the slope of the frontal bone
Compare the anatomical site for euthanasia by firearms in calves with that in adult cattle
- In calves, midline of forehead
- Slightly lower than for adult cattle
Describe the anatomical location for euthanasia by firearms in sheep and goats without horns
- On top of head
- Aim towards spine
Describe the anatomical location for euthanasia by firearms in sheep and goats with horns
- Approach from behind
- Between base of horns
- Aim towards mouth
Describe the anatomical location for euthanasia by firearms in pigs at bacon weight
- 2cm above imaginary line drawn between eyes
- Aim up into skull
Describe the anatomical location for euthanasia by firearms in adult pigs
- 5cm above level of eyes
- Perpendivular to frontal bone
What is the main difficulty with euthanasia using firearms in pigs?
- Thick skull, large frontal sinuses make this less reliable
- Consider emergency killing methods as thick skull can make bolting and pithing/bleeding very difficult
Describe the anatomical location for the euthanasia of horses using firearms
- Brain high in skull
- At intersecton of imaginary lines from lateral canthus of the eyes to the medial aspect of ears
- Aim for the withers
What is a disadvantages of euthanasia by bolting or firearms in large animals?
Lots of limb movement that present safety risk, but need to quickly be pithed or bled (within 15seconds)
List the firearms used for euthanasia
- Gunshot
- Penetrating captive bolt
- Captive bolt
Outline the legislation for the use of shotguns/penetrating captive bolts
- Need individual firearm license
- Firearm kept in locked cupboard when not in use
- Ammunition kept in separate locked cupboard
What are the different types of free bullet that can be used in euthanasia?
- .22 calibre rifle with long rifle mushroom shells
- 9mm/.38 calibre handgun
- .410 gauge shotgun with slugs or pellets
Outline the safety concerns when using shotguns/penetrating captive bolts for euthanasia
- Personnel, public and other nearby animals need to be considered
- Must be used outdoors and away from public access
- Penetrating captive bolt safer as there is no free bullet
Outline the use of captive bolt for euthanasia
- Need to adequately restrain animal
- Offer distraction
- Must be bled or pithed within 15 seconds of captive bolting
What are the physical methods other than firearms for euthanasia?
- Cervical dislocation
- Decapitation
Outline the use of cervical dislocation for euthanasia
- Humane if performed by well-trained individuals
- Separates first cervical vertebra from skull
- Mostly used in mice, immature rats, immature rabbits and poultry/other small bids
Outline the method of cervical dislocation in immature rats and mice
- Thumb and index finger at base of skull, or use rod
- Rapid caudal traction applied to tail or hind limbs
Outline the method of cervical dislocation in immature rabbits
- Head held in one hand, hindlimbs in the other, animal stretched
- Neck hyperextended and twisted dorsally
- Alternatively, hold up by back legs and apply sharp blow to back of the neck
In what species is euthanasia by decapitation commonly used?
- Rodents and small rabbits
- Ectotherms
In what scenarios is decapitation mostly used in rodents and small rabbits?
- Research
- Tissues/body fluids not contaminated by chemicals
- Brain not anatomically damaged
What is an important consideration regarding decapitation of ectotherms?
- CNS tolerant of hypoxic conditions, pain may be perceived even after decapitation
- Need to follow with pithing
List some methods of small animal carcass disposal
- Individual burial
- Individual commercial cremation
- Commercial incineration
List methods of food animal carcass disposal
- Knackers yard
- Hunt kennel
- Approved incineration
- Approved renderer
- National Fallen Stock Scheme
- Private arrangement
Outline the legislations regarding food animal carcass disposal
- Regional legislation by country
- According to EU Animal By Products Regulation 2002, no longer burn or burry farmed livestock on farms
- TSE suspects must be reported and tested
What is the legislation regarding wildlife on farm carcass disposal?
- Not covered by ABPR
- Contact local authorities
- Separate rules for badgers
What methods of equine carcass disposal are permitted?
- National Fallen Stock Scheme/knackerman
- Horse burial (only pet horses in Scotland and Wales)
What are important considerations for horse burial?
- Must avoid livestock access
- Avoid potential for leaching into watercourses
