Animal euthanasia#Inhalants

The methods of euthanasia can be divided into pharmacological and physical methods. Acceptable pharmacological methods include injected drugs and gases that first depress the central nervous system and then cardiovascular activity. Acceptable physical methods must first cause rapid loss of consciousness by disrupting the central nervous system. The most common methods are discussed here, but there are other acceptable methods used in different situations.{{cite journal|title=Recommendations for euthanasia of experimental animals: Part 1|pmid=8938617|pages=293–316 (295)|year=1996|vauthors=Close B, Banister K, Baumans V, Bernoth EM, Bromage N, Bunyan J, Erhardt W, Flecknell P, Gregory N, Hackbarth H, Morton D, Warwick C |volume=30|issue=4|journal=Laboratory Animals|doi=10.1258/002367796780739871|doi-access=}}

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Upon administration of intravenous anesthetic, unconsciousness, respiratory then cardiac arrest follow rapidly, usually within 30 seconds.UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate Product Notes for 20% Pentobarbital solution. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070610225659/http://www.vmd.gov.uk/espcsite/Documents/128787.DOC]

The two-stage process that some veterinarians use includes a first shot that is a sedative to make the animal more comfortable and then a second shot that euthanizes the animal.{{Cite web |last=Contributors |first=WebMD Editorial |title=What Happens When You Put Your Pet to Sleep? |url=https://www.webmd.com/pets/what-happens-put-pet-to-sleep |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=WebMD |language=en}} This allows the owner the chance to say goodbye to a live pet without their emotions stressing the animal. It also greatly mitigates any tendency toward spasm and other involuntary movement which tends to increase the emotional upset that the pet's owner experiences.{{cn|date=February 2024}}

{{anchor|Tributame}}For large animals, the volumes of barbiturates required are considered by some to be impractical, although this is standard practice in the United States.{{cite web |url=https://www.aaep.org/images/files/2007_%20Euthanasia%20Guidelines.pdf |title=Euthanasia Guidelines |access-date=19 June 2008 |work=AAEP |date=207 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080626105724/https://www.aaep.org/images/files/2007_%20Euthanasia%20Guidelines.pdf| archive-date= 26 June 2008 | url-status= dead}} For horses and cattle, other drugs may be available. Some specially formulated combination products are available, such as Somulose (secobarbital/cinchocaine) and Tributame (embutramide/chloroquine/lidocaine), which cause deep unconsciousness and cardiac arrest independently with a lower volume of injection, thus making the process faster, safer, and more effective.https://animaldrugsatfda.fda.gov/adafda/app/search/public/document/downloadFoi/11303&ved=2ahUKEwirjfu95vSLAxWLh1YBHe1nANYQFnoECCMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1xEi51ZVFjZCb1V7-ZIvZd

Occasionally, a horse injected with these mixtures may display apparent seizure activity before death. This may be due to premature cardiac arrest. However, if normal precautions (e.g., sedation with detomidine) are taken, this is rarely a problem.NOAH Compendium of Data Sheets for Animal Medicines 2005 Anecdotal reports that long-term use of phenylbutazone increases the risk of this reaction are unverified.{{cite web | url=https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102906&id=10307798&ind=1379&objTypeID=1007 | title=Veterinary Partner | work=VIN.com | date=8 August 2017 | last2=Spadafori | first2=Gina }}

After the animal has died, it is not uncommon for the body to have posthumous body jerks or a sudden bladder or bowel outburst. This is caused by the muscles of the deceased animal's body relaxing.{{cn|date=February 2024}}

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Gas anesthetics such as isoflurane and sevoflurane can be used for euthanasia of very small animals. The animals are placed in sealed chambers where high levels of anesthetic gas are introduced. Death may also be caused using carbon dioxide once unconsciousness has been achieved by inhaled anesthetic.{{cite web |work=Australian National University |title=Laboratory Animal Euthanasia |format=DOC |url=http://www.anu.edu.au/ro/ORI/HumaneEuthanasia.doc |access-date=30 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819094116/http://www.anu.edu.au/ro/ORI/HumaneEuthanasia.doc |archive-date=19 August 2007 |url-status=dead }} Carbon dioxide is often used on its own for euthanasia of wild animals.{{Cite web |url=http://icwdm.org/wildlife/euthanasia/carbondioxide.asp |title=Animal Euthanasia Information - Carbon doxide gas (Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management |access-date=17 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001201251/http://icwdm.org/wildlife/euthanasia/carbondioxide.asp |archive-date=1 October 2016 |url-status=dead }} There are mixed opinions on whether it causes distress when used on its own, with human experiments lending support to the evidence that it can cause distress and equivocal results in non-humans.{{cite journal |vauthors=Conlee KM, Stephens ML, Rowan AN, King LA |title=Carbon dioxide for euthanasia: concerns regarding pain and distress, with special reference to mice and rats |journal=Laboratory Animals |volume=39 |issue=2 |pages=137–61 |date=April 2005 |pmid=15901358 |doi=10.1258/0023677053739747 |s2cid=14005155 |url=https://animalstudiesrepository.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=acwp_lab|doi-access=free }} In 2013, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) issued new guidelines for carbon dioxide induction, stating that a flow rate of 10% to 30% volume/min is optimal for the humane euthanasia of small rodents.[https://www.avma.org/kb/policies/documents/euthanasia.pdf 2013 AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals]

Carbon monoxide is often used, but some states in the US have banned its use in animal shelters:{{cite web |last1=Purtill |first1=Corinne |title=The gas chamber is being officially retired in California as a method of execution—for animals |url=https://qz.com/700599/the-gas-chamber-is-being-officially-retired-in-california-as-a-method-of-execution-for-animals |website=QZ |date=7 June 2016 |access-date=26 February 2024}}{{cite web |title=Banned In 19 States, Animal Gas Chamber Still Legal In Pennsylvania |url=https://www.wtae.com/article/banned-in-19-states-animal-gas-chamber-still-legal-in-pennsylvania/7455400 |website=WTAE |date=2 February 2012 |access-date=26 February 2024}} although carbon monoxide poisoning is not particularly painful, the conditions in the gas chamber are often not humane.{{Cite web |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/04/0411_050411_peteuthanasia.html |title=Animal Gas Chambers Draw Fire in U.S. - National Geographic |access-date=17 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629001053/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/04/0411_050411_peteuthanasia.html |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead }} Nitrogen has been shown to be effective, although some young animals are more resistant to the effects,{{cite journal |vauthors=Quine JP, Buckingham W, Strunin L |title=Euthanasia of small animals with nitrogen; comparison with intravenous pentobarbital |journal=The Canadian Veterinary Journal |volume=29 |issue=9 |pages=724–6 |date=September 1988 |pmid=17423118 |pmc=1680841 }} and it currently is not widely used.{{cn|date=February 2024}}

The use of gas chambers is not the most humane form of euthanasia as it can take up to 20 minutes to fully euthanize the animal. If the chambers are not calibrated correctly or the animal is ill, the process is only delayed further which can cause more harm to the animal.{{Cite web |title=Bringing an end to inhumane euthanasia {{!}} The Humane Society of the United States |url=https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/bringing-end-inhumane-euthanasia |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=www.humanesociety.org |language=en}}

Cervical dislocation, or displacement (breaking or fracturing) of the neck, is an older and less common method of killing small animals such as mice. When performed properly, it is intended to cause a death that is as painless as possible and has no cost or equipment involved. The handler must know the proper method of executing the movement which will cause the cervical displacement and without proper training and method education there is a risk of not causing death and can cause severe pain and suffering. It is unknown how long an animal remains conscious, or the level of suffering it goes through after a correct snapping of the neck, which is why it has become less common and often substituted with inhalants.{{cn|date=February 2024}}

When intravenous injection is not possible, euthanasia drugs such as pentobarbital can be injected directly into a heart chamber or body cavity.{{cn|date=February 2024}} With regard to state and federal laws, one of the most humane forms of euthanizing animals is through the injection Sodium Pentobarbital. This is typically the second shot that is followed after a sedative when euthanizing animals.{{Cite web |title=Sodium Pentobarbital {{!}} Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management |url=https://icwdm.org/management/euthanasia/sodium-pentobarbital/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |language=en}}

While intraperitoneal injection is fully acceptable (although it may take up to 15 minutes to take effect in dogs and cats), an intracardiac (IC) injection may only be performed on an unconscious or deeply sedated animal. Performing IC injections on a fully conscious animal in places with humane laws for animal handling is often a criminal offense.Calif. Penal Code 597u (a)(2)

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This can be a means of euthanasia for large animals—such as horses, cattle, and deer—if performed properly.{{cite journal |last1=Longair |first1=JA |last2=Finley |first2=GG |last3=Laniel |first3=MA |last4=Mackay |first4=C |last5=Mould |first5=K |last6=Olfert |first6=ED |last7=Rowsell |first7=H |last8=Preston |first8=A |title=Guidelines for euthanasia of domestic animals by firearms |journal=The Canadian Veterinary Journal |date=December 1991 |volume=32 |issue=12 |pages=724–6 |pmid=17423912 |pmc=1481111 }}{{cite web |title=Gunshot or Penetrating Captive Bolt |url=https://vetmed.iastate.edu/vdpam/about/production-animal-medicine/dairy/dairy-extension/humane-euthanasia/humane-euthanasia/gunshot-or-penetrating-captive-bolt |publisher=Iowa State University |access-date=24 August 2022}}

This may be performed by means of:

; Firearms: Traditionally used in the field for euthanizing horses, deer or other large game animals. The animal is shot in the forehead with the bullet directed down the spine through the medulla oblongata, resulting in instant death.Tom J. Doherty, Alex Valverde, Manual of Equine Anaesthesia and Analgesia, Blackwell Publishing 2006 (p. 352) The risks are minimal if carried out by skilled personnel in a suitable location.

; Captive bolt gun: Commonly used by the meat packing industry to slaughter cattle and other livestock. The bolt is fired through the forehead causing massive disruption of the cerebral cortex. In cattle, this stuns the animal, though if left for a prolonged period it will die from cerebral oedema. Death should therefore be rapidly brought about by pithing or exsanguination. Horses are killed outright by the captive bolt, making pithing and exsanguination unnecessary.{{Cite journal |doi=10.20506/rst.21.3.1382 |doi-access=|title=Animal welfare consequences in England and Wales of the 2001 epidemic of foot and mouth disease |year=2002 |last1=Laurence |first1=C.J. |journal=Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'OIE |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=863–868 |pmid=12523721 }}

The reasons for euthanasia of pets and other animals include:

File:Lethal Chamber.jpg in the Royal London Institute and Home for Lost and Starving Cats]]

• Terminal illness, e.g. cancer or rabies
• Illness or accident that is not terminal but would cause suffering for the animal to live with,

petgrail.com/dog-euthanasia-questions or when the owner cannot afford the treatment or has a moral objection to the treatment

• Old age and deterioration leading to loss of major bodily functions, resulting in severe impairment of the quality of life.{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Paul|date=2024-11-04 |title=Quality of life assessment {{!}} PeacefulPassing {{!}} Guelph, ON |url=https://www.peacefulpassing.ca/quality-of-life}}
• Dementia in pets leading to loss of cognitive function and normal daily behaviour and interactions with owner.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Dr Emma |date=2022-11-30 |title=Doggy Dementia |url=https://www.roundwoodpethospice.co.uk/post/doggy-dementia |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=RW Pet Hospice |language=en}} Dementia resulting in unsocial and repetitive behaviour causing prolonged stress for both pets and their owners.{{Cite web |title=Pet Dementia {{!}} When is the time for Pet Euthanasia |url=https://vets2yourpets.co.uk/managing-dementia-in-pets-when-is-euthanasia-necessary/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=Vets 2 Your Pets |language=en-GB}}
• A hunter's coup de grâce
• Behavioural problems (usually ones that cannot be corrected) e.g. aggression – Canines that have caused grievous bodily harm (severe injuries or death) to either humans or other animals through mauling are usually seized and euthanised ('destroyed' in British legal terms)
• Lack of home or caretaker or resources for feeding
• "Convenience euthanasia", if the owner no longer wants to care for the pet{{cite news |title=The disturbing requests of 'convenient' pet euthanasia |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/insight/article/the-disturbing-requests-of-convenient-pet-euthanasia/c0qb65d8p |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=SBS News |language=en}}
• Research and testing – In the course of scientific research or testing, animals may be euthanized in order to be dissected, to prevent suffering after testing, to prevent the spread of disease, or other reasons

Small animal euthanasia is typically performed in a veterinary clinic or hospital, at animal shelter, or at the pet owner's home {{Cite web |last=Lou |first=Ed |date=2024-01-25 |title=At Home Pet Euthanasia Near Me {{!}} CodaPet {{!}} Chicago, IL |url=https://www.codapet.com/pet-euthanasia-near-me}} and is usually carried out by a veterinarian or a veterinary technician working under the veterinarian's supervision. Often animal shelter workers are trained to perform euthanasia as well. Knowing when it's time to put a pet down can be difficult.{{Cite web |title=When Will I Know It's Time? {{!}} Roundwood Pet Hospice |url=https://www.roundwoodpethospice.co.uk/saying-goodbye/when-will-i-know-its-time |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=RW Pet Hospice |language=en}} A licensed veterinarian can help an owner determine when in the course of an illness or behavioral problem euthanasia is appropriate.{{Cite web |last=Fragola |first=Jessica |date=2023-11-22 |title=How will I know when it's time to say goodbye? {{!}} Paws at Peace {{!}} New York, NY |url=https://pawsatpeace.com/how-will-i-know-when-its-time-to-say-goodbye/,%20https://pawsatpeace.com/how-will-i-know-when-its-time-to-say-goodbye/ |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=pawsatpeace.com |language=en-US}}

In the case of large animals which have sustained injuries, this will also occur at the site of the accident, for example, on a racecourse.

Some animal rights organizations support animal euthanasia in certain circumstances and practice euthanasia at shelters that they operate.[http://www.peta.org/campaigns/ar-nokillshelters.asp "Animal Rights Uncompromised:'No-Kill' Shelters"], PETA, Retrieved 26 June 2010; [https://web.archive.org/web/20040210045810/http://www.petrescueonline.org/newsinfo/petaeu2.htm "A reply from PETA to a letter inquiring about its euthanization decisions"], Petrescueonline.net, Retrieved 26 June 2010.

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In the U.S., for companion animals euthanized in animal shelters, most states prescribe intravenous injection as the required method.{{Cite web|title=State Laws Governing Euthanasia|url=https://www.avma.org/advocacy/state-local-issues/state-laws-governing-euthanasia|access-date=2021-05-02|website=American Veterinary Medical Association|language=en}} These laws date to 1990, when Georgia's Humane Euthanasia Act became the first state law to mandate this method. Before that, gas chambers and other means were commonly employed. The Georgia law was resisted by the Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, Tommy Irvin, who was charged with enforcing the act. In March 2007, he was sued by former State Representative Chesley V. Morton, who wrote the law, and subsequently ordered by the court to enforce all provisions of the Act.{{cite web|url=http://www.kittyvillage.com/morton_v_irvin.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-02-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000320/http://www.kittyvillage.com/morton_v_irvin.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}

Some states allow the use of carbon monoxide chambers for euthanasia.

In the Philippines, the treatment and handling of stray dogs are governed by specific laws that emphasize animal welfare. The primary law is Republic Act No. 8485, also known as the "Animal Welfare Act of 1998," as amended by Republic Act No. 10631 in 2013. This law outlines the responsibilities of local government units (LGUs) and veterinarians in dealing with stray animals.{{cite web | url=https://www.respicio.ph/commentaries/legality-of-euthanizing-stray-dogs-in-the-philippines | title=Legality of Euthanizing Stray Dogs in the Philippines | date=2 September 2024 }}

Many pet owners choose to have their pets cremated or buried after the pet is euthanized,{{cite web | last = Allen | first = Moira Anderson | year = 2002 | title = The Final Farewell: How to Handle a Pet's Remains | work = Pet Loss Support Page | url = http://pet-loss.net/funeral.shtml | access-date =9 June 2010 }} and there are pet funeral homes that specialize in animal burial or cremation.{{cite web | last = Porstner | first = Donna| date = 15 April 2004 | title = Pet funeral home offers services for grieving owners | work = The Boston Globe | url = http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2004/04/15/pet_funeral_home_offers_services_for_grieving_owners?mode=PF | access-date =9 June 2010 }} Otherwise, the animal facility will often freeze the body and subsequently send it to the local landfill.{{cite web | date=21 February 2011 | title=What Do Animal Shelters Do with the Bodies of Dead Pets? | work=Knoji: Consumer Knowledge | url=http://animal-welfare-volunteering.knoji.com/what-do-animal-shelters-do-with-the-bodies-of-dead-pets/ | access-date=21 May 2014}}

In some instances, animals euthanized at shelters or animal control agencies have been sent to meat rendering facilities{{cite web | last = Becker | first = Geoffrey S. | date = 17 March 2004 | title = Animal Rendering: Economics and Policy | work = The National Agricultural Law Centre: Congressional Research Service Reports | url = http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/assets/crs/RS21771.pdf | access-date = 9 June 2010 | archive-date = 17 February 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180217111231/http://nationalaglawcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/assets/crs/RS21771.pdf | url-status = dead }}{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Van | date = 3 November 1998 | title = Rendering Unto Oprah | work = Baltimore City Paper | url = http://www.citypaper.com/news/story.asp?id=3727 | access-date = 9 June 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041101080711/http://www.citypaper.com/news/story.asp?id=3727 | archive-date = 1 November 2004 | url-status = dead }}{{cite web | title = Chapter 9, Food and Agricultural Industries | work = Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors | url = http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch09/final/c9s05-3.pdf | access-date =9 June 2010 }} to be processed for use in cosmetics, fertilizer, gelatin, poultry feed, pharmaceuticals and pet food.{{cite news | last = Simon | first = Stephanie | date = 27 January 2002 | title = Pet Food Report Leads to Pile-Up at Animal Shelters – Rendering Plant Stops Taking Carcasses | newspaper =The Washington Post | page = A14 }} It was proposed that the presence of pentobarbital in dog food may have caused dogs to become less responsive to the drug when being euthanized.{{cite journal | last = Myers | first = Michael | year = 2004 | title = CVM Scientists Develop PCR Test to Determine Source of Animal Products in Feed, Pet Food | journal = FDA Veterinarian Newsletter | volume = XIX | issue = 1 | url = https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/FDAVeterinarianNewsletter/ucm093929.htm | access-date =8 June 2010 }} However, a 2002 FDA study found no dog or cat DNA in the foods they tested, so it was theorized that the drug found in dog food came from euthanized cattle and horses. Furthermore, the level of the drug found in pet food was safe.{{cite web|title=Report on the risk from pentobarbital in dog food|url=https://www.fda.gov/cvm/FOI/DFreport.htm|work=US Food and Drug Administration|access-date=9 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430142434/https://www.fda.gov/cvm/FOI/DFreport.htm|archive-date=30 April 2008|date=28 February 2002}}{{Cite web |last=Entis |first=Phyllis |date=2019-05-01 |title=JBS knowingly distributed products containing euthanasia drug |url=https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2019/05/jbs-knowingly-distributed-pentobarbital-adulterated-products-to-customers/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=Food Safety News |language=en-US}}

{{Div col}}

• Animal chaplains
• Animal loss
• Animal slaughter
• Animal welfare
• British Pet Massacre
• Chick culling
• Dysthanasia (animal)
• Insect euthanasia
• Overpopulation in companion animals
• Pet
• Rainbow Bridge (pets)

{{Div col end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Animal euthanasia}}

• [https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Documents/euthanasia.pdf AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia]
• [https://petgrail.com/dog-euthanasia-questions Questions Every Pet Owner Has About Dog Euthanasia But is Afraid to Ask]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080529202303/http://www.adelaide.edu.au/ANZCCART/publications/Euthanasia.pdf Euthanasia of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes] at The University of Adelaide
• [https://vets2yourpets.co.uk/putting-to-sleep-pet-dog-cat-or-rabbit-at-home/ Putting to Sleep Your Pet Dog Cat or Rabbit at Home.]
• [https://archive.today/20041024081823/http://soc.hfac.uh.edu/artman/publish/article_145.shtml World Internet News chronicles what happens to abandoned dogs.]
• [https://www.peacefulpetgoodbyes.uk/why-euthanise-your-pet-at-home/ Reasons to euthanize your pet at home]
• [http://www.nal.usda.gov National Agricultural Library, United States Department of Agriculture]
• [http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/ No Kill Advocacy Center – "no kill" shelter advocacy organization]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070606235807/http://www.justitsministeriet.dk/fileadmin/downloads/dyreforsoegstilsynet/reco1.pdf Recommendations for euthanasia of experimental animals: Part1]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070606235907/http://www.justitsministeriet.dk/fileadmin/downloads/dyreforsoegstilsynet/reco2.pdf Recommendations for euthanasia of experimental animals: Part2]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000320/http://www.kittyvillage.com/morton_v_irvin.pdf Chesley V. Morton v. Georgia Department of Agriculture and Tommy Irvin in his Official Capacity as Commissioner]
• [https://cloud9vets.co.uk/vet-services/quality-of-life-assessment/ Is It Time Checklist]

{{Animal rights|topics}}

{{Death}}

Category:Animal euthanasia