Euthanasia

Question 1

 The veterinarian that carries out euthanasia must:

Answer 1

1. Induce death in a manner that is in the animal’s interest and/or because is a matter of welfare.
2. Use humane techniques to induce the most rapid and painless- and distress-free death possible.

Question 2

requirements for euthanaisa (5)

Answer 2

1. Verify legal ownership and identification of the animal.
2. Verify that informed consent has been granted.
3. Refer the client to another veterinarian if you do not perform or refuse to perform euthanasia in a particular case.
4. Performs euthanasia according to set professional standards.
5. Confirm the death of the animal.

Question 3

how do we confirm death

Answer 3

 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

Question 4

what sign on its own confirms death?

Answer 4

 Only rigor mortis on its own confirms death
 Any other signs on their own is insufficient to confirm death

Question 5

what should we keep in mind when disposing of animal remains?

Answer 5

 Follows jurisdiction laws
 Drugs used may pose a risk to scavenging species
- Pentobarbital
* Incinerate or cremate
* Bury deeply

Question 6

methods of euthanaisa

Answer 6

1. Direct depression of neurons necessary for life function.
    Anesthetics (injectable and/or inhalants)
2. Hypoxia.
    Gases (CO2, N2, Ar, CO)
3. Physical disruption of brain activity.
    Captive bolt, gunshot, cervical dislocation, decapitation, electrocution, focused beam microwave irradiation, thoracic compression, exsanguination, maceration, stunning, pithing

Question 7

methods of performing euthanasia via direct depression of neurons

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

Preferred euthanasia method for dogs, cats, and other
companion animals (large animals)

Answer 8

 Barbiturates (Pentobarbital- 240-540 mg/mL)
* IV (> 80 mg/kg)
* Also intraperitoneal (IP), intracardiac (IC)
* Dye (blue/red) to make it obvious

Question 9

type of nonbarbiturates that can be used for euthanasia?

Answer 9

• Ketamine/Xylazine IV, IP, IM
• Propofol, Alfaxalone IV

Question 10

what is T-61 euthanasia solution? how and when would we administer it?

Answer 10

injectable anesthetic
* Embutramide, Mebozoniumiodide, Tetracaine HCl
* Not available in US, still in Canada
* Slow IV
* Dogs, cats, horses, laboratory animals, birds, wildlife

Question 11

what is Tributame euthanasia solution

Answer 11

injectable anesthetic
* Embutramide, Lidocaine, Chloroquine
* Available in US, Europe
* Slow IV- Dogs, cats, horses, laboratory animals, birds, wildlife.

Question 12

what is the use of Ultrapotent opioids for euthanasia?

Answer 12

injectable anesthetics
* Etorphine, Carfentanyl
* Large animals, Wildlife (captive large apes)
* Careful when handling these opioids!
* IM, transmucosal

Question 13

what is the use of potassium for euthanasia? what are its effects? what are it pros and cons?

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

use of magnesium for euthanasia?

Answer 14

• Mixed with water for immersion of aquatic invertebrates

Question 15

use of alcohol for euthanasia?

Answer 15

• Fish species
• Mice - intraperitoneal

Question 16

what is MS 222 and its use for euthanasia?

Answer 16

• Tricaine methanesulfonate (anesthetic)
• Use in fish, amphibians, reptiles
• Immersion
• Mixed with water for immersion of aquatic invertebrates

Question 17

advantage of intrathecal lidocaine for euthanasia

Answer 17

to save money

Question 18

ways that we can euthanize via direct depression of neurons

Answer 18

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

Question 19

methods of euthanasia via hypoxia, and when they can be used

Answer 19

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

Question 20

are gasses recomended for euthanasia of shelter populations? why?

Answer 20

 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
* $$$

Question 21

main con of physical methods of euthanasia

Answer 21

aesthetically displeasing

Question 22

physical methods of euthanasia

Answer 22

• penetrative captive bolts
• nonpenetrating captive bolts
• blunt trauma
• gunshot to the head
• cervical dislocation
• decapitation
• electrocution

Question 23

how does euthanasia by penetrating captive bolt work? what do we need to use this technique and what animals do we use it for?

Answer 23

• Concussion and trauma of the brain
• Proper restraint is necessary for adequate placement of the captive bolt
• Large animals, dogs

Question 24

how do nonpenetrating captive bolts work for euthanasia, and what animals do we use this technique on?

Answer 24

• 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

Question 25

what animals is it appropriate to euthanize with blunt trauma?

Answer 25

* Neonatal animals with thin craniums * Small laboratory animals

Question 26

when is euthanasia via gunshot to the head appropriate?

Answer 26

* Only to be performed by trained personnel in the use of firearms and in jurisdictions that allow legal firearm use

Question 27

what animals are often euthanized by cervical dislocation? what is a disadvantage?

Answer 27

* Small birds, poultry, mice, immature rats, rabbits * Electrical activity in the brain and in some instances consciousness remains for some time

Question 28

when is decapitation used for euthanasia?

Answer 28

* Rodents, small rabbits * Research objective- preserved brain without chemical contamination

Question 29

what animals can be euthanised via electrocution and how does it work?

Answer 29

* Dogs, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, chickens, foxes, mink, fish * Causes cardiac fibrillation and then cerebral hypoxia

Question 30

what animals is it acceptable to euthanize with inhaled anesthetics?

Answer 30

* Acceptable for small mammals (< 7 kg)

Question 31

peepee

Answer 31

poopoo