U3Ch14 : Euthanasia

Question 1

breakdown Euthanasia in medical terms

Answer 1

eu = good
thanatos = death;

euthanizing an animal means ending its life in a way that minimizes pain and distress

Question 2

Cervical dislocation is acceptable only for rats weighing less than:

Answer 2

200g

Question 3

What should euthanasia accomplish?

Answer 3

• a death that meets humane standards and the needs of the research study
• rapid loss of consciousness, followed by cessation of heartbeat, respiration, and brain function
• a quick and painless death for the animal

Question 4

Choose the single best answer: Any methods of euthanasia must be approved by __ prior to use at an institution?

Answer 4

IACUC

Question 5

What document must research methods of euthanasia follow?

Answer 5

AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals

Question 6

What kinds of animals are resistant to CO2 as a euthanasia method?

Answer 6

Neonatal rodents

Question 7

Inhalant anesthetics are generally not used for euthanasia of which species because they can hold their breath for long periods of time?

Answer 7

Amphibians and reptiles

Question 8

When using enhalant agents for euthanasia, what practices are used to minimize stress?

Answer 8

• euthanasia performed in home cage
• avoid overcrowding
• euthanasia chamber cleared of waste gas between groupd of animals

Question 9

Bell Jar euthanasia method

Answer 9

Use of a clear glass or plastic chamber with a reservoir and wire mesh bottom, a cotton ball or other absorbent material is soaked with the anesthetic and placed below the wire mesh

Question 10

CO2 for euthanasia

Answer 10

Animals inhale CO2 and lose consciousness due to a reduced oxygen level in the brain and other tissues in the body (hypoxia) After the rodents become unconscious, the CO2 flow rate may be increased to shorten time to death. The CO2 flow should be maintained for at least 1 minute after the animals cease to breathe, to assure death.1 Following with an adjunctive method, such as cervical dislocation, is recommended.

Question 11

Physical methods of euthanasia

Answer 11

there are times when scientific requirements may necessitate use of physical methods of euthanasia. Physical methods of euthanasia either destroy the brain or stop its functioning, thus euthanizing the animal quickly. Another advantage of using a physical method of euthanasia is that it avoids contaminating the animal’s tissues with chemicals that could interfere with a study.
- examples : cervical dislocation and decapitation

Question 12

Cervical dislocation

Answer 12

physical method that involves the dislocation of the vertebrae in the neck, which is the cervical area of the spine. In cervical dislocation, the spinal cord is quickly separated from the skull, thus preventing transmission of nerve impulses in either direction between the brain and the body. When properly done, the animal quickly ceases to breathe and the heart stops beating.

Question 13

Why should a low pressure regulator be used when introducing CO2 gas into a euthanasia chamber?

Answer 13

so the animals are not distressed by the effects of high CO2 concentrations

Question 14

The removal of waste anesthetic gases from an anesthesia chamber or from an anesthesia system with activated charcoal cylinders is called:

Answer 14

passive scavenging

Question 15

What physical method of rodent euthanasia quickly separates the spinal cord from the brain?

Answer 15

Cervical dislocation

Question 16

When can cervical dislocation be used to euthanize animals?

Answer 16

It can only be used on mice and rats weighing less than 200g, rabbits and some birds

Question 17

What are the two main classifications of euthanasia methods?

Answer 17

Chemical and physical

Question 18

The anesthetic concentration and exposure time required for euthanasia will be specified in which document?

Answer 18

the institutional SOPs

Question 19

What term refers to reduced oxygen levels in the body?

Answer 19

Hypoxia

Question 20

With CO2 euthanasia, what source of the CO2 gas should be used?

Answer 20

A tank of compressed CO2

Question 21

How is death verified after euthanasia?

Answer 21

• for large animals : verify the lack of a pulse, heartbeat, and breathing
• for small animals : and adjuctive or secondary method of euthanasia is used (cervical dislocation, or bilateral thoracotomy)

Question 22

What should be done right after an animal has been euthanized?

Answer 22

The animal should be checked to make sure it is dead before placing it in a bag.

Question 23

signs of grief or loss due to performing euthanasia

Answer 23

Sadness, compassion fatigue, depression