Euthanasia

Euthanasia

Why carry out euthanasia?

End of experiment Continuing adverse effects Pain, distress or suffering exceeding stated level If state of health or welfare give cause for concern Unwanted stock For blood or other tissues

The bringing about of a gentle and easy death. A gentle and easy death Humane killing with the minimum of pain, fear and distress.

Legislation
86/609/EEC Schedule 1 to Animal Scientific Procedures Act (U.K.) Both exclude killing of an animal from the legal definition of an experiment if carried out in accordance with specified guidelines.

Humane method of killing

"The killing of an animal with a minimum of physical and mental suffering, depending on the species."

Requirements
Minimise fear and distress. Separate area away from other animals. Ensure operator competence. Reliable method.

Minimise fear and distress

Adequate and gentle restraint. Calm, caring and confident approach. Any traces of blood / excreta from other animals fully removed.

Ensure operator competence

Full training required practice on cadavers first. Experience in handling essential. Should be fully familiar with all equipment used. Should feel confident before doing it alone. Back-up plan if something goes wrong. Capable of confirming that death has occurred.

Method
Painless and stress free. State of unconsciousness should be reached rapidly and maintained until death. Easy to administer. Safe for staff who perform it. Appropriate for species, bodyweight, and stage of development. Compatible with experimental objectives.

Choice of method
Chemical or physical. Chemical usually overdose of anaesthetic by inhalation or injection or CO2 anaesthesia. Physical concussion, decapitation or cervical dislocation.

Chemical methods
Inhalation anaesthetic
Suitable for small rodents NOT rabbits. Halothane or Isoflurane NOT chloroform or ether. Vapourising unit with gas scavenging gives better induction and is safer for operator. Can use glass jar but slower, more stressful induction must avoid contact between animal and liquid anaesthetic.

Chemical methods Injectable anaesthetic

Usually barbiturate (sodium pentobarbitone) i/v or i/p. Euthatal (200mg/kg) recommended for i/v but need to dilute this for i/p administration. Fast, safe and effective for the majority of animals.

Chemical methods
CO2 anaesthesia / asphyxia
Suitable for rodents and birds up to 1.5kg. Not suitable for rabbits, diving animals or neonates. Flow rate of 20% chamber volume/min until anaesthesia Limit the number of animals to ensure exposure. Chamber should have transparent viewing panel. Empty out residual gas and clean thoroughly when finished.

Physical methods
Concussion
Suitable for rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians up to 1kg. Must be followed by immediate cervical dislocation or exsanguination and confirmation of death. Rapid and effective when carried out by trained, competent personnel. Aesthetically unacceptable for most people.

Physical methods
Cervical dislocation
Suitable for rodents up to 500gm, rabbits up to 1kg and birds up to 3kg. Stunning/sedation essential for larger animals (>150g ?) Rapid and effective. Must confirm dislocation and death immediately. Aesthetically unacceptable for most people. Should be used only if operator totally confident.

Physical methods
Decapitation
Suitable for small rodents, embryos and neonates. Other methods preferred - delayed loss of consciousness. Guillotine preferable animal should be restrained in polythene sleeve. Scissors less effective must ensure that sharpness and adequate blade length. Cold blooded vertebrates and birds should be rendered insensible beforehand.

Confirmation of death
Absence of pulse / heartbeat. Decapitation. Destruction of brain. Severing of major blood vessels to terminate flow of blood to brain. Onset of rigor mortis (return to individual cage for c.30 mins).

Euthanasia of Rodents Foetuses and neonates

Functional brain (pain perception) at 60% gestation. Inhalation anaesthetics administered to the dam may not anaesthetise the foetus. Decapitation, concussion or injectable anaesthetic. CO2 unsuitable.
Halothane or Isoflurane Sodium pentobarbitone Concussion
Rapid, effective, relatively safe, easy to use acceptable for all species and sizes. Rapid, effective, relatively safe, easy to use acceptable for all species and sizes. Rapid, effective, safe, requires training. Acceptable for rodents up to 1kg. Essential to confirm death. Rapid, effective, safe, requires training. Acceptable for rodents under 150g, and 150-500g with prior stunning / sedation. Essential to confirm dislocation and death. Least rapid of recommended methods. Low levels CO2 until anaesthesia. Not acceptable for embryos or neonates.

Euthanasia of Rabbits
Rapid, effective, relatively safe, easy to use acceptable for all strains and sizes. i/v injection preferable. Rapid, effective, safe, requires training. Cervical dislocation Acceptable for rabbits under 1 kg. Prior sedation advisable. Essential to confirm dislocation and death. Rapid, effective, safe. Concussion Acceptable for rabbits of all sizes. Must be performed by confident and experienced personnel. Essential to confirm death. Unsuitable as these methods may cause CO2 asphyxia or inhalation anaesthesia apnoea and distress.

Sodium pentobarbitone

Cervical dislocation

CO2 asphyxia