EUTHANASIA

Presented By:-

Dr. Parmanand Atal

First year Resident
Department of Pharmacology
SMS Medical College, Jaipur
Definition:-

Euthanasia means the humane killing (sacrifice) of an

animal which produces rapid unconsciousness and
subsequent death without or minimal pain or distress to
the animal.”
METHODS:-
Euthanasia methods are broadly classified as:
1. CHEMICAL METHODS
2. PHYSICAL METHODS
CHEMICAL METHODS:-

❖ Halothane, enflurane, sevoflurane, methoxy-flurane,

isoflurane and desflurane are preferred for euthanasia in
animals.
TWO TYPES
● INHALATIONAL
● NON-INHALATIONAL
INHALATIONAL

1. CARBON DIOXIDE:-
● An effective and widely used agent to euthanize rodents.
● It is dangerous to use, so precaution should be taken while
using it.
1. Nitrous oxide (N2O):-
● Not preferred due to lack in fast onset.
● May produce hypoxemia and cardiac or respiratory arrest.
3. Ether:-
● It was formerly used extensively, but is now only acceptable
conditionally.
● Reason is being irritant to mucous membranes and risk of fire and
explosion.
NON-INHALATIONAL

1. Barbiturates:-
● Sodium pentobarbital is the most rapid and reliable method of
euthanasia for most experimental animals
● In non-rodent species, given intravenously to be most effective.
Intraperitoneal injection is acceptable for euthanasia in small
mammals.

2. Potassium chloride (KCl):

● KCl induces immediate cardiac arrest without any significant
depression of the CNS.
● Used after the animal is deeply anesthetized.
3. Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4):-
● Produces its action through cardiac arrhythmia, neuromuscular
blockade and deep anesthesia,
● Hence ultimately animal gets euthanized due to cardiac arrest and
neuromuscular blockade.

4. Neuromuscular Blocking Agents:-

● These agents induce muscular paralysis and death because of
suffocation.
● Distress onset is more, hence less preferred for euthanasia.

Ex. Succinylcholine, Curare.

PHYSICAL METHODS:-

1. Cervical dislocation:-
● Humane technique for euthanasia
● Frequently used for mice, rats, guinea pig, rabbits.

2. Decapitation:-
● Used to euthanize rodents and small rabbits.
● Guillotine is generally used.

Guillotine
3. Microwave irradiation:-
● Used when an experiment requires fixation of mouse or rat brain
metabolites in vivo without losing anatomic integrity of the brain.

4. Penetrating captive bolt:-

● Conditionally acceptable, when chemical agents are scientifically
contraindicated.
● Not employed in the laboratory animals.
● Made for ruminants, horses, and swine
Captive Bolt Modern Captive Bolt Device