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PERFORMANIMAL EUTHANASIA

EO 003.02

EO 003.02 PERFORMANIMAL EUTHANASIA

References

1. AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia, June 2007

2. Alberta Regulation 229/2000, Livestock Disease Act


Agenda

1. Criteria for a Painless Death

2. Ethical Considerations

3. Animal Behavioural Considerations

4. Human Behavioural Considerations

5. Mode of Actions of Euthanizing Agents

6. Inhalant Agents

7. Non-inhalant Agents

8. Physical Methods

9. Responsibilities of the Owner

10. Special Considerations


A Humane Death

Euthanasia is the act of inducing

humane death in an animal

Highest degree of respect

Painless

Anxiety and Distress free


Criteria for a Painless Death

Pain – sensation that results from nerve impulses reaching the cerebral cortex via neural pathways

Two Pain Categories

1. Sensory-Discriminative

2. Motivational-Affective


Criteria for a Painless Death

Stress – the effect of physical, physiologic or emotional stressors that induce an alteration in an animal’s homeostasis

Three Phases of Stress

Eustress

Neutral Stress

Distress


Physical Handling

Control and Restraint

1. Species

2. Breed

3. Size

4. State of Domestication

5. Degree of Taming

6. Presence of Injury or Disease

7. Degree of Excitement

8. Method of Euthanasia


Methods of Euthanasia

1. Species of the Animal

2. Available Means of Restraint

3. Skill of Personnel

4. Number of Animals

HUMANE DEATH


Ethical Considerations

Professional Concerns

Societal Concerns

Federal, Provincial and Local Laws


Verifying Death

Examination for Cessation of Vital Signs


Minimize Animal Distress

Gentle Restraint

Careful Handling

Talking during Euthanasia

Calming Effect

Route of Least Distress


Minimize Animal Distress

Wild, Feral, Injured or Diseased Animals


Human Behaviour

Psychological Response

Grief at the loss of life


Veterinary Clinic

Owners make decisions

Rely on Veterinarian’s judgment

Owners present during the procedure


Animal Care & Control Facility

Unwanted, homeless, diseased and/or injured

Distress

Constant exposure and high turnover of employeestraining & educational programspeer supporttime off for stress


Laboratory

Similar to pet owners

Researchers, technicians and students become attached


Wildlife Control

Injured and/or Diseased animals

Threatening property and human safety

Excessive numbers

Extreme distress and anxiety


Slaughter Facilities

Very large numbers of animals

Physically and emotionally desensitized


Public Exposure

Zoo animals

Roadside and Racetrack accidents

Nuisance or injured animals

Natural Disasters


Basic Modes of Action

1. Direct or Indirect Hypoxia

2. Direct Depression of Neurons

3. Physical Disruption of Brain Activity


Hypoxia

Loss of consciousness

Painless

Distress Free


Direct Depression of Neurons

Depress nerve cells of the brain

Loss of consciousness followed by death

Non-purposeful vocalization or muscle contraction

Death by cardiac arrest


Physical Disruption of Brain Activity

Concussion

Electrical Depolarization of neurons

destruction of the mid-brain causing cardiac and/or respiratory arrest


Inhalants

Inhaled gas

Time Consuming

Suitability


Inhalant Anaesthetics

Halothane Enflurane

Isoflurane Sevoflurane

Methoxyflurane Desflurane

Ether Nitrous Oxide


Advantages for Inhalant Anaesthetics

Recommended for smaller animals where venipuncture may be difficult

Non-flammable and non-explosive under normal circumstances


Disadvantages for Inhalants Anaesthetics

Animals may struggle and become anxious

vapours may be irritating and cause excitement

Ether is very flammable

Methoxyflorane is slow acting

Occupational Exposure by personnel

Potential for human abuse


Inhalant Agents

Carbon Dioxide – (CO2)

Acceptable for the appropriate species (see appendix 1 of reference)

CO2 gas cylinder – only acceptable source


Advantages of CO2

Rapid Depressant

Readily Available

Inexpensive

Non-flammable

Non-explosive

Minimal hazard to users

Non-accumulating

Disadvantages of CO2

Incomplete filling of chamber

Some species may have a tolerance

Time consuming

Some species breathe to slowly

High Concentrations may be distressful


Inhalant Agents

Carbon Monoxide – (CO)

Acceptable for dogs, cats and other small mammals

CO gas cylinder – only acceptable source


Advantages of CO

Painless

Minimal Discomfort

Insidious

Rapid effect in 4 – 6% concentrations

Disadvantages of CO

Exposure to personnel

Other equipment used must be explosion proof


Inhalant Agents

Nitrogen (N2)/Argon (Ar)

Death induced by Hypoxemia

Distressful to some species – rats

N2/Ar gas cylinder – only acceptable source


Advantages of N2/Ar

Readily Available

Minimal hazard to personnel

Disadvantages of N2/Ar

Loss of consciousness preceded by hypoxemia – distressful

Introduction of O2 too soon may induce full recovery


Non-Inhalant Pharmaceutical Agents

Injectable agents are the most rapid and reliable method of Euthanasia

Administered through intravenous injection

Minimal fear or distress to the animal

Intra-peritonial Injection

Intra-cardiac Injection


Barbituric Acid Derivatives

Depresses the Central Nervous System in descending order

Administered only through IV Injection

PotentLong-actingStableInexpensive

Sodium Pentobarbital


Advantages of Sodium Pentobarbital

Speed of action

Minimal discomfort

Smooth drug action

Inexpensive

Disadvantages of Sodium Pentobarbital

Personnel trained in IV Injection

Animal restraint required

Terminal “Gasp”

Persists in the carcass

Toxic for scavengers

Federal Drug Regulations



Potassium Chloride

Unacceptable in unanaesthetized animals

Acceptable to induce cardiac arrest in anaesthetized animals


Advantages of Potassium Chloride

Not a controlled substance

Less toxic for scavengers

Disadvantages of Potassium Chloride

Rippling of muscle tissues

Seizures



Pentobarbital Combinations

Chloral Hydrate

T-61

Tricaine Methane Sulfonate (MS 222)


Unacceptable Injectable AgentsStrychnine Nicotine

Caffeine Magnesium Sulfate

Potassium Chloride Cleaning Agents

Solvents Disinfectants

Salts

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents


Physical Methods

Captive Bolt Gun ShotCervical Dislocation DecapitationElectrocution Microwave IrradiationKill Traps Thoracic CompressionExsanguination MacerationStunning PithingBlow to the Head

EXTREME CAUTION & CARE


Penetrating Captive Bolt

Concussion and trauma to the cerebral hemisphere and brainstem

Used in slaughter houses for Ruminants, Equine and Swine

Aesthetically displeasing


Blow to the Head

Anatomic features of the animal

Humane for neonatal animals with thin craniums

Single sharp blow

Rapid death when properly performed


Gun Shot

Immediate Death – brain

Performed outdoors away from public access

Dangerous Weapon, Aesthetically unpleasant, may not be able to examine for rabies


Cervical Dislocation & Decapitation

Rapid action and loss of consciousness

No chemically contaminated carcasses

Aesthetically unpleasant, mastering a technical skill

Cervical Dislocation – poultry, mice and other small birds

Decapitation – obtain undamaged brain tissue from lab rodents and rabbits


Electrocution

Induce death by cardiac fibrillationHumane act if animal is unconsciousEconomicalHazardous to personnel,

Aesthetically unpleasant – violent extension and stiffening of limbs, head and neck

Does not always work on small animalsSpecial skills and equipment


Microwave Irradiation

Only acceptable use is for very small laboratory specimens

Thoracic Compression

Only acceptable use is for small to medium size birds when other methods are not practical


Kill Traps

Does not always render a rapid and stress free death

Should be followed immediately by another method

Use is controversial


Adjunctive Methods

Exsanguination, Stunning and Pithing

These methods can only be conducted in conjunction with other physical and/or chemical methods

Never Conducted as a sole means of Euthanasia


Wildlife

Methods for captive animals more difficult to conduct in wild and feral animals

Gun Shot or Kill Traps

Appropriate firearm and ammunition

Skilled personnel

Abide and comply with governmental laws and regulations


Diseased, Injured, or Live-Trapped

Wildlife or Feral Species

Wildlife Injury

Immediate action is

usually required


Disposition of Dead Animals

1. Dispose of the animal within 48 hours of its death 2. The animal has died from an infectious disease or

from a reportable disease, the owner of the animal shall dispose of it in accordance with the directions of an inspector appointed under the Health of Animals Act (Canada)

3. Prevent scavengers from gaining access to the dead animal, or

4. Transport to a rendering or incineration plant


Burial of Dead Animals

Burying the animal in a burial pit, if the pit is

1. at least 100 metres from wells or other domestic water intakes, streams, creeks, ponds, springs and high water marks of lakes and at least 25 metres from the edge of a coulee, major cut or embankment,

2. at least 100 metres from any residences,


Burial of Dead Animals3. at least 100 metres from any livestock facilities,

including pastures, situated on land owned or leased by another person,

4. at least 300 metres from a primary highway,

5. at least 100 metres from a secondary highway, and

6. at least 50 metres from any other road allowance


Burial of Dead Animals

The pit is covered with

1. a minimum of one metre of compacted soil

2. the bottom of the pit is at least one metre above the seasonal high water table


Conclusion


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