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Animal euthanasia
In pet animals, this process is commonly referred to by the euphemisms "put to sleep" or "put down". MethodsIntravenous anestheticPets 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[2]. Observers generally describe it as a quick and peaceful death. Some veterinarians perform a two-stage process: An initial injection that simply renders the pet unconscious and a second 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 unconsciousness and cardiac arrest independently, with a lower volume of injection, thus making the process faster, safer and more effective. Occasionally a horse injected with this mixture displays apparent seizure activity prior to death, this may be due to premature cardiac arrest. However, if normal precautions (e.g. sedation with detomidine) are taken, this is a rare problem[3]. Anecdotal reports that long term use of phenylbutazone increase the risk of this reaction are unverified. Inhalant (gas) anestheticGas 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. Death may also be induced by carbon dioxide once unconsciousness has been achieved by inhaled anaesthetic[4]. Intracardiac or intraperitoneal injectionWhen 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 (although it may take up to 15 minutes in dogs and cats[4]), an intracardiac (IC) injection may only be performed on an unconscious or deeply sedated animal. In California, IC injection on a fully conscious animal is a crime [Calif. Penal Code 597u (a)(2)]. ShootingOften 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[5]. 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. In cattle this merely stuns the animal, and death must be brought about by pithing or exsanguination (cattle have been reported to make complete recoveries after being stunned. Horses are killed outright by the captive bolt, making pithing or exsangination unnecessary[6]). Reasons for euthanasia
Small animal 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; except in the case of horse racing, where the injured animal is sometimes put down on the track. Animal sheltersAccording 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 References
See also
Categories: Horse health | Veterinary medicine |
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Animal_euthanasia". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia. |