Euthanasia Flashcards
The veterinarian that carries out euthanasia must:
- Induce death in a manner that is in the animal’s interest and/or because is a matter of welfare.
- Use humane techniques to induce the most rapid and painless- and distress-free death possible.
requirements for euthanaisa (5)
- Verify legal ownership and identification of the animal.
- Verify that informed consent has been granted.
- Refer the client to another veterinarian if you do not perform or refuse to perform euthanasia in a particular case.
- Performs euthanasia according to set professional standards.
- Confirm the death of the animal.
how do we confirm death
No pulse
No breathing
No corneal reflex
No response to toe pinch
Inability to hear respiratory sounds (stethoscope)
Inability to hear heart sounds (stethoscope)
Graying of mucous membranes
Rigor mortis
what sign on its own confirms death?
Only rigor mortis on its own confirms death
Any other signs on their own is insufficient to confirm death
what should we keep in mind when disposing of animal remains?
Follows jurisdiction laws
Drugs used may pose a risk to scavenging species
- Pentobarbital
* Incinerate or cremate
* Bury deeply
methods of euthanaisa
- Direct depression of neurons necessary for life function.
Anesthetics (injectable and/or inhalants) - Hypoxia.
Gases (CO2, N2, Ar, CO) - Physical disruption of brain activity.
Captive bolt, gunshot, cervical dislocation, decapitation, electrocution, focused beam microwave irradiation, thoracic compression, exsanguination, maceration, stunning, pithing
methods of performing euthanasia via direct depression of neurons
- Inhaled and injectable Anesthetics
Inhaled Anesthetics
- Isoflurane, Sevoflurane
* Acceptable for small mammals (< 7 kg)
Injectable anesthetics
-barbiturates
* Preferred method for dogs, cats, and other companion animals (large animals)
* IV (> 80 mg/kg)
* Also intraperitoneal (IP), intracardiac (IC)
* Dye (blue/red) to make it obvious
-nonbarbiturates
* Ketamine/Xylazine IV, IP, IM
* Propofol, Alfaxalone IV
Preferred euthanasia method for dogs, cats, and other
companion animals (large animals)
Barbiturates (Pentobarbital- 240-540 mg/mL)
* IV (> 80 mg/kg)
* Also intraperitoneal (IP), intracardiac (IC)
* Dye (blue/red) to make it obvious
type of nonbarbiturates that can be used for euthanasia?
- Ketamine/Xylazine IV, IP, IM
- Propofol, Alfaxalone IV
what is T-61 euthanasia solution? how and when would we administer it?
injectable anesthetic
* Embutramide, Mebozoniumiodide, Tetracaine HCl
* Not available in US, still in Canada
* Slow IV
* Dogs, cats, horses, laboratory animals, birds, wildlife
what is Tributame euthanasia solution
injectable anesthetic
* Embutramide, Lidocaine, Chloroquine
* Available in US, Europe
* Slow IV- Dogs, cats, horses, laboratory animals, birds, wildlife.
what is the use of Ultrapotent opioids for euthanasia?
injectable anesthetics
* Etorphine, Carfentanyl
* Large animals, Wildlife (captive large apes)
* Careful when handling these opioids!
* IM, transmucosal
what is the use of potassium for euthanasia? what are its effects? what are it pros and cons?
- Cardiotoxicity
- No CNS effect- do not use in conscious animal
> Animal needs to be anesthetized when given potassium - 1-2 mEq/kg, IV or IC
- Less chance of toxicity by scavengers
> Use in wildlife species and livestock
use of magnesium for euthanasia?
- Mixed with water for immersion of aquatic invertebrates
use of alcohol for euthanasia?
- Fish species
- Mice - intraperitoneal
what is MS 222 and its use for euthanasia?
- Tricaine methanesulfonate (anesthetic)
- Use in fish, amphibians, reptiles
- Immersion
- Mixed with water for immersion of aquatic invertebrates
advantage of intrathecal lidocaine for euthanasia
to save money
ways that we can euthanize via direct depression of neurons
Inhaled Anesthetics
> Isoflurane, Sevoflurane
Injectable anesthetics
> Barbiturates (Pentobarbital- 240-540 mg/mL)
> Nonbarbiturates
> T-61 euthanasia solution
> Tributame euthanasia solution
> Ultrapotent opioids
Injectable adjuvant drugs
> potassium
> magnesium salts
> alcohol
> MS 222
> intrathecal lidocaine
methods of euthanasia via hypoxia, and when they can be used
CO
* Acceptable when there is the infrastructure
* Not recommended for routine euthanasia of dogs/cats
* Natural disasters and large-scale outbreaks
CO2
* As per CO
are gasses recomended for euthanasia of shelter populations? why?
Cannot provide humane euthanasia for shelter populations
* Sick, older… this conditions delay the effect of gases, causing them to experience distress prior to unconsciousness
Pose grave dangers to staff
* Pollution, risk of explosion, narcosis, chronic exposure
More costly
* $$$
main con of physical methods of euthanasia
aesthetically displeasing
physical methods of euthanasia
- penetrative captive bolts
- nonpenetrating captive bolts
- blunt trauma
- gunshot to the head
- cervical dislocation
- decapitation
- electrocution
how does euthanasia by penetrating captive bolt work? what do we need to use this technique and what animals do we use it for?
- Concussion and trauma of the brain
- Proper restraint is necessary for adequate placement of the captive bolt
- Large animals, dogs
how do nonpenetrating captive bolts work for euthanasia, and what animals do we use this technique on?
- Stun the animal without the massive brain trauma
> Not used as sole method of euthanasia - Suckling pigs, neonatal ruminants, turkeys can be euthanized with this method
what animals is it appropriate to euthanize with blunt trauma?
- Neonatal animals with thin craniums
- Small laboratory animals
when is euthanasia via gunshot to the head appropriate?
- Only to be performed by trained personnel in the use of firearms and in jurisdictions that allow legal firearm use
what animals are often euthanized by cervical dislocation? what is a disadvantage?
- Small birds, poultry, mice, immature rats, rabbits
- Electrical activity in the brain and in some instances consciousness remains for some time
when is decapitation used for euthanasia?
- Rodents, small rabbits
- Research objective- preserved brain without chemical contamination
what animals can be euthanised via electrocution and how does it work?
- Dogs, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, chickens, foxes,
mink, fish - Causes cardiac fibrillation and then cerebral hypoxia
what animals is it acceptable to euthanize with inhaled anesthetics?
- Acceptable for small mammals (< 7 kg)
peepee
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