Euthanasia of rabbits by intravenous administration of ketamine

Six New Zealand White rabbits (5 females and 1 male) were anesthetized with a combination of xylazine (4.3 mg/kg of body weight) and ketamine (29.1 mg/kg) administered IM. The rabbits were then attached to instruments that continuously monitored blood pressure and electrocardiographic and electroencephalographic values. Each rabbit was then administered a lethal dose of ketamine (600 mg, IV). Within 90 seconds after injection of the ketamine, brain death developed and the heart rate and blood pressure decreased greatly. Circulatory activity persisted for a maximum of 240 seconds. This method of euthanasia did not result in histopathologic changes in tissue specimens evaluated. Although death occurred rapidly, extensive muscle contractions made euthanasia of rabbits with ketamine aesthetically unacceptable. Therefore, this method would not be a suitable means of euthanasia for routine use in rabbits.

Euthanasia of food animals

Humane euthanasia is considered to be the rapid and painless inducement of death. It is necessary for unconsciousness to occur quickly and be followed immediately by cardiac and/or respiratory arrest. Although many methods of euthanasia have been used, not all fulfill the criteria of humane euthanasia. Methods of euthanasia used in food animals are presented and evaluated as to their appropriateness.

Veterinary euthanasia drugs as suicide agents

We report three cases in which pentobarbital and T-61 were used or their use was threatened in suicide attempts. One patient died after IV injection of a pentobarbital solution. Another threatened suicide by the same method. A third patient survived the ingestion of both pentobarbital and T-61. Supportive care forms the mainstay of therapy when these agents are used in suicide attempts.

Methods of euthanasia in poultry and food-producing animals

This article summarizes the methods of euthanasia in poultry and food-producing animals and details some of the advantages and disadvantages of specific methods. Specific recommendations are made for each type of animal, with alternative methods for special circumstances. Reasons are given for recommending methods that are not "first-choice methods" of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia. Detailed descriptions are included for selected methods of euthanasia.

Electrocution of pigs infected with notifiable diseases

In order to combat certain notifiable diseases eradication programs have been developed, which include the destruction of an infected or suspected herd. Experiments were conducted to develop a method for euthanasia of large numbers of pigs. The electrocution experiments under laboratory conditions were performed in a wooden sided box with a steel floor and a curtain of chains. When the pigs touched the chain curtain with their noses, they received a current flow which lasted for more than 2 seconds, and they developed cardiac arrest or fibrillation. The pigs which touched the chain curtain with their rumps vocalised and became recumbent immediately. An automatic electrocution unit was constructed with a conveyor (negative electrode) and 3 curtains of chains (positive electrodes). Over 6000 pigs infected with a notifiable disease were killed with the apparatus. Only 2 piglets younger than 1 week old were not killed by the current (1000 V, greater than 2 s.). From the point of view of animal welfare the automatic electrocution apparatus is an efficient method for killing large numbers of pigs (older than 1 week of age) infected with a notifiable disease.

Fate of sodium pentobarbital in rendered products

The fate of pentobarbital through rendering was evaluated by following a group of euthanatized animals through a commercial rendering facility. Samples of material were collected at various points in the rendering process, and assays for pentobarbital were conducted by an ultraviolet spectrophotometric method. The results indicated that the pentobarbital, or a closely related analogue, survived rendering without undergoing degradation. The pentobarbital was distributed approximately equally between the meat and bone meal and tallow fractions. If pentobarbital-euthanatized animals are processed along with other raw materials throughout a day's production, the likelihood of significant residues being present in rendered products is minimal.

Premedication of dogs with acepromazine or pentazocine before euthanasia with carbon monoxide

Euthanasia of unwanted or sick animals should always be done in a humane manner. This study involving two groups of 12 dogs evaluated a two step method of euthanasia using first acepromazine or pentazocine then inhalation of carbon monoxide. During the experiment, behavioral reactions (anxiety, agitation, vocalization and sphincter relaxation) and physiological parameters (electro-encephalogram, electrocardiogram, arterial blood pressure, respiratory and heart rates and serum cortisol) were monitored. The results showed that both drugs modified many behavioral reactions and physiological changes associated with administration of carbon monoxide. Acepromazine and pentazocine reduced by 25% and 20% respectively the number of dogs that showed vocalization and agitation. In acepromazine premedicated dogs, the duration of these signs was significantly diminished and sphincter relaxation did not occur in more than 50% of cases. Furthermore, with the use of acepromazine, no significant peaks or drastic drops were noticed in the heart and respiratory rates and in the arterial blood pressure. These manifestations are usually related to stress. In light of these results, it is recommended to premedicate dogs with acepromazine before submitting them to euthanasia by carbon monoxide inhalation.

The humane society and the human-companion animal bond. Reflections on the broken bond

This article discusses the history of the humane movement and how humane societies facilitate the human-companion animal bond by conducting various animal-protection programs (cruelty prevention, rescues, adoptions, veterinary services, for example) and participating in pet-facilitated therapy programs. Also discussed is the euthanasia of unwanted and unclaimed animals and its effect on animal shelter personnel.

Laboratory animal technicians. Their role in stress reduction and human-companion animal bonding

The physical and emotional well-being of laboratory animals is often dependent upon the knowledge and ability of the responsible technician. Management has the obligation to place only technicians who are well-trained, compassionate, and highly motivated in responsible positions of animal care and to recognize the legitimacy of, and strongly support, the emotional and behavioral needs of both technicians and animals.