Introduction Flashcards
What should a euthanasia technique result in?
Rapid loss of consciousness, followed by cardiac or resp arrest, and ultimately loss of brain function
How do anesthetics produce unconsciousness?
Prevent integration - Block interactions among specialized brain regions
Reduce information - Shrinking number of activity patterns available to cortical networks
What are the signs of unconsciousness following physical methods of euthanasia?
Immediate collapse and several-second period of tetanic spasm, followed by slow hind limb movements of increasing frequency. Corneal reflex absent.
What are signs of successful electrocution?
Loss of righting reflex, loss of eyeblink and moving object tracking, extension of the limbs, opisthotonos, downward rotation of the eyeballs, and tonic spasms changing to clonic spam, with eventual muscle flaccidity.
What are indicators of definite consciousness? (6)
- Standing posture
- Head or body righting reflex
- Voluntary vocalization
- Spontaneous blinking (no touching)
- Eye pursuit
- Response to threat or menace test
What are the three indicators of unconsciousness or brain death?
Absence of corneal reflex, absence of eyelash reflex, absence of rhythmic breathing
Describe eustress, neutral stress, and distress.
Eustress - Harmless stimuli initiate adaptive responses that are beneficial to animals.
Neutral stress - Animal’s response to stimuli causes neither harmful nor beneficial effects to the animal
Distress - Animal’s response to stimuli interferes with well-being and comfort.
What level of unconsciousness does immobilizing, tranquilizing, or sedative agents produce?
Should not be relied on to produce a truly unresponsive, disconnected unconscious state, regardless of dose.
What are the three mechanisms by which euthanizing agents cause death?
- Direct depression of neurons necessary for life function
- Hypoxia
- Physical disruption of brain activity
What must precede loss of movement in euthanasia?
Loss of consciousness
What are examples of agents that prevent movement through muscle paralysis but do not block or disrupt the cerebral cortex?
Succinylcholine, strychnine, curare, nicotine, potassium, and magnesium salts
What are examples of methods of euthanasia that rely on hypoxia?
High concentration of gasses or exsanguination
What methods of euthanasia result in physical disruption of the brain?
Blow to head resulting in concussive stunning, direct destruction of brain with captive bolt, bullet, or pithing rod, or through depolarization of brain neurons following electrocution. Death follows as midbrain centers controlling respiration and cardiac activity fail
What is a sign of death that is alone reliable for confirming euthanasia?
Rigor mortis
What organization investigates cases of suspected wildlife death from animal remains containing pentobarbital?
US FWS
What are the recommendations by the US FWS for prevention of secondary poisoning from pentobarbital?
- Incinerate of cremate remains when possible
- Immediately bury deeply according to local laws and regulations
- Securely cover or store animal remains if the ground is frozen until such time as deep burial is practical
- Review and modify local landfill practices to prevent access of scavengers to legally disposed animal remains
- Educate clients about proper disposal
- Include a warning regarding disposal of animal remains on the euthanasia consent form
- Tag animal remains and outer bags or containers with prominent poison tags
