ALAT Chapter 14 Euthanasia

Euthanasia in Laboratory Animal Science

• Euthanasia in laboratory animal science means ending an animal's life in a way that minimizes pain and distress.

• The preferred term to describe euthanasia is "euthanasia," although some common terms like "put down" or "put to sleep" are also used.

• In research settings, animals may be euthanized for several reasons, such as obtaining research data or preventing unrelieved pain or distress.

• The AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals is accepted by the research community as the standard for euthanasia and takes into consideration animal welfare principles, anatomy, physiology, and personnel safety.

• The chosen method of euthanasia should produce a rapid loss of consciousness followed by cessation of heartbeat, respiration, and brain function.

• Inhalant agents and injectable agents are two chemical methods of euthanasia, while physical methods involve the use of equipment to apply force or cutting action to the animal.

• Carbon dioxide is one of the most commonly used chemical agents to euthanize rodents and other small mammals in laboratory animal research.

• Inhalant volatile anesthetics, such as isoflurane, are commonly used for euthanasia in the United States and require waste gas scavenging equipment.

• Fish and aquatic amphibians can be euthanized by immersing them in a water bath containing an overdose of buffered MS-222 or other appropriate anesthetic.

• Staff must be trained on euthanasia procedures, and responsible personnel must remain with the animals throughout the entire process.

• Euthanasia methods must comply with the animal use protocol and facility SOPs, which are based on the AVMA Guidelines.

• The acceptability of a method is specific to the species and age of the animal, and all technicians should know the methods that can be used with the species kept in their facility.Euthanasia of Laboratory Animals: Methods, Verification of Death, and Compassion for Staff

• Euthanasia methods for laboratory animals are described in the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals.

• The guidelines categorize methods as acceptable, acceptable with conditions, and unacceptable for each animal species.

• The method used must comply with the guidelines and be included in the approved IACUC protocol for animal research.

• Acceptable methods for euthanasia include carbon dioxide, barbiturates, and physical methods such as cervical dislocation or decapitation.

• Verification of death is essential to ensure that the heart has stopped beating and respiration has ceased.

• Large animals may be monitored for lack of pulse, heartbeat, and breathing, while adjunctive methods such as cervical dislocation or bilateral pneumothorax may be used for small animals.

• Proper training in euthanasia techniques is critical for animal welfare and personnel safety.

• Training includes restraint and handling, physiological processes, equipment use and maintenance, administration of euthanasia agents, and carcass disposal.

• Practicing on anesthetized or already euthanized animals can help develop proficiency.

• Performing euthanasia can cause emotional distress for personnel, and it is important to acknowledge and cope with these feelings.

• Suppressing emotions may lead to detachment, anxiety, and conflict in the workplace, while sharing feelings with coworkers, a supervisor, or a veterinarian can help cope with grief.

• Compassion fatigue is a common issue in animal research, and resources such as the AALAS publication “Compassion Fatigue: The Cost of caring” can offer strategies for coping.

Euthanasia in Laboratory Animal Science

• Euthanasia in laboratory animal science means ending an animal's life in a way that minimizes pain and distress.

• The preferred term to describe euthanasia is "euthanasia," although some common terms like "put down" or "put to sleep" are also used.

• In research settings, animals may be euthanized for several reasons, such as obtaining research data or preventing unrelieved pain or distress.

• The AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals is accepted by the research community as the standard for euthanasia and takes into consideration animal welfare principles, anatomy, physiology, and personnel safety.

• The chosen method of euthanasia should produce a rapid loss of consciousness followed by cessation of heartbeat, respiration, and brain function.

• Inhalant agents and injectable agents are two chemical methods of euthanasia, while physical methods involve the use of equipment to apply force or cutting action to the animal.

• Carbon dioxide is one of the most commonly used chemical agents to euthanize rodents and other small mammals in laboratory animal research.

• Inhalant volatile anesthetics, such as isoflurane, are commonly used for euthanasia in the United States and require waste gas scavenging equipment.

• Fish and aquatic amphibians can be euthanized by immersing them in a water bath containing an overdose of buffered MS-222 or other appropriate anesthetic.

• Staff must be trained on euthanasia procedures, and responsible personnel must remain with the animals throughout the entire process.

• Euthanasia methods must comply with the animal use protocol and facility SOPs, which are based on the AVMA Guidelines.

• The acceptability of a method is specific to the species and age of the animal, and all technicians should know the methods that can be used with the species kept in their facility.Euthanasia of Laboratory Animals: Methods, Verification of Death, and Compassion for Staff

• Euthanasia methods for laboratory animals are described in the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals.

• The guidelines categorize methods as acceptable, acceptable with conditions, and unacceptable for each animal species.

• The method used must comply with the guidelines and be included in the approved IACUC protocol for animal research.

• Acceptable methods for euthanasia include carbon dioxide, barbiturates, and physical methods such as cervical dislocation or decapitation.

• Verification of death is essential to ensure that the heart has stopped beating and respiration has ceased.

• Large animals may be monitored for lack of pulse, heartbeat, and breathing, while adjunctive methods such as cervical dislocation or bilateral pneumothorax may be used for small animals.

• Proper training in euthanasia techniques is critical for animal welfare and personnel safety.

• Training includes restraint and handling, physiological processes, equipment use and maintenance, administration of euthanasia agents, and carcass disposal.

• Practicing on anesthetized or already euthanized animals can help develop proficiency.

• Performing euthanasia can cause emotional distress for personnel, and it is important to acknowledge and cope with these feelings.

• Suppressing emotions may lead to detachment, anxiety, and conflict in the workplace, while sharing feelings with coworkers, a supervisor, or a veterinarian can help cope with grief.

• Compassion fatigue is a common issue in animal research, and resources such as the AALAS publication “Compassion Fatigue: The Cost of caring” can offer strategies for coping.

Euthanasia in Laboratory Animal Science

• Euthanasia in laboratory animal science means ending an animal's life in a way that minimizes pain and distress.

• The preferred term to describe euthanasia is "euthanasia," although some common terms like "put down" or "put to sleep" are also used.

• In research settings, animals may be euthanized for several reasons, such as obtaining research data or preventing unrelieved pain or distress.

• The AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals is accepted by the research community as the standard for euthanasia and takes into consideration animal welfare principles, anatomy, physiology, and personnel safety.

• The chosen method of euthanasia should produce a rapid loss of consciousness followed by cessation of heartbeat, respiration, and brain function.

• Inhalant agents and injectable agents are two chemical methods of euthanasia, while physical methods involve the use of equipment to apply force or cutting action to the animal.

• Carbon dioxide is one of the most commonly used chemical agents to euthanize rodents and other small mammals in laboratory animal research.

• Inhalant volatile anesthetics, such as isoflurane, are commonly used for euthanasia in the United States and require waste gas scavenging equipment.

• Fish and aquatic amphibians can be euthanized by immersing them in a water bath containing an overdose of buffered MS-222 or other appropriate anesthetic.

• Staff must be trained on euthanasia procedures, and responsible personnel must remain with the animals throughout the entire process.

• Euthanasia methods must comply with the animal use protocol and facility SOPs, which are based on the AVMA Guidelines.

• The acceptability of a method is specific to the species and age of the animal, and all technicians should know the methods that can be used with the species kept in their facility.Euthanasia of Laboratory Animals: Methods, Verification of Death, and Compassion for Staff

• Euthanasia methods for laboratory animals are described in the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals.

• The guidelines categorize methods as acceptable, acceptable with conditions, and unacceptable for each animal species.

• The method used must comply with the guidelines and be included in the approved IACUC protocol for animal research.

• Acceptable methods for euthanasia include carbon dioxide, barbiturates, and physical methods such as cervical dislocation or decapitation.

• Verification of death is essential to ensure that the heart has stopped beating and respiration has ceased.

• Large animals may be monitored for lack of pulse, heartbeat, and breathing, while adjunctive methods such as cervical dislocation or bilateral pneumothorax may be used for small animals.

• Proper training in euthanasia techniques is critical for animal welfare and personnel safety.

• Training includes restraint and handling, physiological processes, equipment use and maintenance, administration of euthanasia agents, and carcass disposal.

• Practicing on anesthetized or already euthanized animals can help develop proficiency.

• Performing euthanasia can cause emotional distress for personnel, and it is important to acknowledge and cope with these feelings.

• Suppressing emotions may lead to detachment, anxiety, and conflict in the workplace, while sharing feelings with coworkers, a supervisor, or a veterinarian can help cope with grief.

• Compassion fatigue is a common issue in animal research, and resources such as the AALAS publication “Compassion Fatigue: The Cost of caring” can offer strategies for coping.