Veterinary Euthanasia Techniques

Veterinary
Veterinary Euthanasia Techniques: A Practical Guide provides detailed guidance on
euthanasia procedures in a wide variety of species, including dogs, cats, exotics,
horses, and production animals. Based on the current AVMA guidelines, the book offers
step-by-step descriptions of the recommended methods of euthanasia, giving all the

Euthanasia
information needed to perform these techniques with confidence. Veterinary Euthanasia
Techniques helps practitioners, students, and technicians expand their knowledge base
and provide competent, compassionate euthanasia services.
Including information on client considerations, equipment, positioning, sedation,

Techniques
and aftercare, the focus of the book is on providing detailed procedures for correctly
performing euthanasia. Veterinary Euthanasia Techniques presents complete information
on euthanasia, offering specific advice to improve skills and aid in decision making.

Key features
ƒƒ Provides practical how-to guidance for veterinarians, veterinary students, and
veterinary technicians in performing or assisting euthanasia procedures A Practical Guide
ƒƒ Improves confidence in all euthanasia methods, especially in unfamiliar situations
ƒƒ Offers detailed step-by-step techniques for euthanasia, with additional information Kathleen A. Cooney,
on client communication, equipment, and aftercare
Jolynn R. Chappell,
ƒƒ Acts as a tool for discussing euthanasia options with clients and in making clinical
decisions Robert J. Callan, and
ƒƒ Covers a wide variety of species, including dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, rodents, Bruce A. Connally

Cooney, Chappell, Callan, Connally

reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, snakes, chelonians, horses, and livestock

The authors
Kathleen A. Cooney, DVM, MS, is founder and owner of Home to Heaven, P.C., a mobile veterinary
hospice and euthanasia service based in northern Colorado.
Jolynn R. Chappell, DVM, is in private practice, specializing in exotic medicine, at Aspenwing Bird and
Animal Hospital in Loveland, CO.
Robert J. Callan, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM, is a professor at Colorado State University (CSU) in
the Department of Clinical Sciences and service head of the Livestock Medicine and Surgery Service at
the CSU James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Bruce A. Connally, DVM, MS, is a former assistant professor and faculty member in equine ambulatory
services at CSU.

Related titles
Success in Veterinary Practice: Maximising Handbook of Veterinary Communication Skills
Clinical Outcomes and Personal Well-being Edited by Carol Gray and Jenny Moffett
By Bradley Viner 9781405158176
9781405169509
isbn 978-0-4709-5918-3

9 780470 959183

cooney_9780470959183_cover.indd 1 4/5/12 8:16 PM

 Euthanasia Techniques 117

Figure 5.25 Radiograph of a rabbit showing the heart location.

absorbed. In rabbits with hepatomegaly, the liver may be the preferred in-
traorgan injection. Kidneys can be difficult to access whether the rabbit is
debilitated or in good flesh due to the normally large amount of abdominal
and perirenal fat present in most rabbits. For IC injections, note that the heart
in rabbits is located more cranial between the 1st and 5th ICS (Figure 5.25).

Guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, hamsters, gerbils, mice, and

sugar gliders
IV injection in these pocket pets is very challenging and often avoided by
veterinarians, especially when owners are present. The time and effort to find
a usable vein can create stress for those watching. Other routes of injectable
administration are preferred. IC administration in the small pocket pets may be
quite challenging or intimidating to some people, so other organs can be used.

Reptiles
Reasons to euthanize reptiles are similar to that of other species of animals
and should be done in a humane manner. Injection of a noninhalant pharma-
ceutical agent such as a barbiturate or barbiturate-combination drug is the
most common technique used in reptiles in private practice. They do not read-
ily accept inhalant gases and the physical methods commonly used in other
species do not work well with their unique anatomy; however, these other
methods may be used in certain circumstances when injectable agents are
unavailable. The method of euthanasia is important to consider if a necropsy
or histopathology will be desired.
As discussed in a previous section, reptiles may be given pre-euthanasia
sedation/anesthesia to facilitate safer handling and less pain during eu-
thanasia itself. A few techniques listed in the following text do not require