Animal euthanasia

Animal euthanasia (Greek, "good death") is the act of inducing humane death in an animal.^[1] Euthanasia methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress.

In pet animals, this process is commonly referred to by the euphemisms "put to sleep" or "put down".

Methods

Intravenous anesthetic

Pets are almost always euthanized via intravenous injection, typically a very high dose of a barbiturate such as pentobarbital. Unconsciousness, respiratory then cardiac arrest follow rapidly, usually within 30 seconds to several minutes later. Observers generally describe it as a quick and peaceful death.

Some vets perform a 2 stage process... an initial injection that simply renders the pet unconscious, and a 2nd shot that induces death. This allows the owner the chance to say goodbye to a live pet without their emotions stressing the pet.

For large animals,the volumes of barbiturates required are frequently impractical. In such cases, shooting (see below) may be more appropriate. Alternatively, for horses and cattle, other drugs may be available. In some countries (e.g. the UK) a cocktail of Secobarbital (a high-potency barbiturate) and Cinchocaine is available, providing deep unconciousness and cardiac arrest independently, with a lower volume of injection, thus making the procss faster, safer and more effective. Occasionally a horse injected with this mixture displays apparentseizure activity prior to death, this may be due to premature cardiac arrest. However, if normal precautions (e.g. sedation) are taken, this is a rare problem. Anecdotal reports that long term use of phenylbutazone increase the risk of this reaction are unverified.

Inhalant (Gas) Anesthetic

Gas anesthetics such as isoflurane and sevoflurane can be used for euthanasia in very small animals (rodents, small birds, etc.). Animals are placed in sealed chambers where high levels of anesthetic gas are introduced.

Intracardiac or Intraperitoneal Injection

When intravenous injection is not possible, euthanasia drugs such as pentobarbital can be injected directly into a heart chamber or body cavity.

While intraperitoneal injection is fully acceptable, an intracardia (IC) injection must only be accomplished on an unconscious or deeply sedated animal. In California, IC injections on a fully conscious animal is a crime [Calif. Penal Code 597u (a)(2)].

Shooting

Often the most appropriate means of euthanasia for large animals (e.g. horses, cattle). This may be by means of:

1) Free bullet. Traditionally used for shooting horses. The horse is shot in the forehead, with the bullet directed down the spine through the medulla oblongata, resulting in instant death. The risks are minimal if carried out by skilled personnel in a suitable location.

2) Captive bolt. Commonly used for cattle etc. The bolt is again fired through the forehead causing massive disruption of the cerebral cortex. Technically this merely stuns the animal (cattle have been reported to make complete recoveries after being stunned in error), and death must be brought about by pithing or exsanguination.

Reasons for euthanasia

Terminal illness - e.g. cancer
Behavioral problems - e.g. aggression
Stray and feral animal overpopulation - not enough adoptive homes
Illness or broken limbs that would cause suffering for the animal to live with.

Euthanasia is typically performed in a veterinary clinic or hospital, or in an animal shelter, and is usually carried out by a veterinarian, or a veterinary technician working under the vet's supervision. Often animal shelter workers are trained to do euthanasia as well. Some veterinarians will perform the euthanasia at the pet owner's home - this is virtually mandatory in the case of large animal euthanasia.

Animal shelters

According to the American Humane Association, an estimated 9.6 million animals are euthanized in the United States every year. The majority of these are euthanized at animal shelters, typically after a standard period of time (ranging from several days to several weeks for unclaimed stray animals).

"No kill" shelters exist, some run by private animal welfare organizations, while others are subsidized wholly or in part by local government agencies or private donations. These shelters make it official policy never to euthanize animals for non-medical reasons.

Supporters of traditional shelters that perform euthanasia argue that while millions of pet-quality animals are being euthanized every year, no-kill shelters are siphoning money that could be used for these animals or for neutering programs. No-kill shelters tend to accumulate animals with chronic health problems, behavior problems, and other conditions that make them poorly suited for adoption. Animals can stay there for years, in conditions that equate to human life imprisonment, while scores of other animals are euthanized because there is no shelter space available.

Notes

^ 2000 Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia

External links

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[1] 2000 Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia

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