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Boards: Other Topics (Endocrine, CPR, Euthanasia, etc) > Euthanasia > Flashcards

Euthanasia Flashcards

1
Q

Euthanasia

A

goal of ending life of individual animal in way that minimizes or eliminates pain and distress

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2
Q

Humane Slaughter

A

processes, methods employed to intentionally kill animals raised for food, fur, or fiber production
o Applies to individual animals killed on farm, commercial production processes
o Includes transport, handling to time of death when ready to enter food chain

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3
Q

Depopulation

A

rapid destruction of large numbers of animals in response to emergencies, such as the control of catastrophic infectious diseases, or exigent situations caused by natural or human disasters
o Extenuating circumstances
o Large numbers of animals quickly, efficiently destroyed
o As much consideration for welfare as possible

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4
Q

Two Laws that Federally Codify Humane Slaughter for Cattle, Calves, Horses, Mules, Sheep, Swine?

A

1958 Humane Slaughter Act
1978 Humane Methods of Livestock Slaughter Act

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5
Q

Acceptable Methods

A

consistently produce a humane death when used alone or as the sole means of producing death

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6
Q

Acceptable with conditions

A

require certain conditions to be met to produce humane death consistently
o May have greater potential for operator error or safety hazard,
o Not well documented in the scientific literature
o May require a secondary method to ensure death

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7
Q

Unacceptable Methods of Euthanasia

A

inhumane under any conditions or pose a substantial risk to the human applying the technique

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8
Q

Unacceptable Methods of Euthanasia: Anesthetics

A

choral hydrate

chloroform

diethyl ether

NMBAs in consciousness vertebrate animals

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9
Q

Unacceptable Methods of Euthanasia: Chemicals

A

cyanide, formaldehyde, household products, solvents, cleaning products and disinfectants, strychnine

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10
Q

Unacceptable Methods of Euthanasia: Physical Methods

A

air embolism, asphyxiation, burning, rapid decompression, drowning, exsanguination, hypothermia, manually applied blunt force trauma to head, non-penetrating captive bolts, rapid freezing*, smothering, thoracic compression

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11
Q

What are the exceptions to manual blunt force trauma?

A

piglets, chickens, small laboratory animals

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12
Q

Unacceptable Methods of Euthanasia: other agents

A

insulin, MgSO4 (adjunctive or under GA), KCl (adjunctive or under GA)

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13
Q

What are the exceptions to NPCB?

A

piglets, chickens; lambs, kids with adjunctive

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14
Q

What are the exceptions to rapid freezing?

A

reptiles, amphibians <4g, <5d rodent neonates (7 per 2020)

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15
Q

Adjunctives for Euthanasia

A

practices not used as sole or primary method but can be used in conjunction with acceptable methods following initial loss of consciousness

exsanguination, pithing, intravenous or intracardiac magnesium sulfate or KCL, creation of pneumothorax

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16
Q

Depopulation: preferred

A

Utilized preferentially when circumstances allow implementation

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17
Q

Depopulation: Permitted in constrained circumstances

A

Only when circumstances constrain ability to reasonably implement a preferred method

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18
Q

Depopulation: Not Recommended

A

Only when circumstances preclude reasonable implementation of any of preferred methods or those permitted in constrained circumstances

AND when risk of doing nothing at all deemed likely to have a reasonable chance of resulting in significant more animal suffering than proposed depopulation technique

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19
Q

Animals: Loss of Consciousness

A

loss of rightening reflex (LORR), AKA loss of position (LOP)
* Should always precede loss of muscle movement
* Easily observable
* Applies to wide variety of species
* Integrated whole animal response

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20
Q

Physical Methods of Euthanasia: MOA

A

Instantaneous unconsciousness by destroying, or rendering non‐functional brain regions responsible for cortical integration

Death quickly follows when midbrain centers controlling respiration and cardiac activity fail

Often followed by adjunctive methods (exsanguination or pithing) to ensure death

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21
Q

Advantages of Physical Euthanasia Methods

A

 Instantaneous unconsciousness
 Inexpensive, humane, painless if performed properly
 Leave no drug residues
 Animals presumably experience less fear, anxiety DT little preparatory handling

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22
Q

Disadvantages of Physical Euthanasia Methods

A

 Usually involves more direct physical proximity by people
 More offensive and upsetting for operator

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23
Q

Decapitation, cervical killing:

A

electrical activity in brain can persist <30s
 Unclear when unconscious develops

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24
Q

Inhaled: acute hypercapnia

A

> 5% atmospheric CO2 – killing DT hypoxia
* Rapidly reduces intracellular pH, producing unconsciousness, reversible anesthetic state
* Reduction of both basal and evoked neural activities
* Inhibition of central N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors
* Does not rely on induction of hypoxia to cause unconsciousness, death

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25
Additional of Nitrous Oxide to Inhaled Euthanasia Techniques
N2O with CO2: Displacement rate faster than CO2 alone * Displacement rate of 20, 60% of chamber volume per minute, produced LORR in mice 10.3% faster than CO2 alone
26
General Recommendations for CO2
gradual displacement rate between 10-30% of container volume per minute Based on time constants: When starting from gas concentration near 0, one time constant required to reach washed in concentration 63 volume percent o Ex: gas volume displacement rate of 20% per minute represents time constant of 5 minutes (1/0.2)
27
Inhaled Techniques: Hypoxia
**MOA: direct via displacement of O2 with inert gas/low Patm, indirect via CO or exsanguination**  Exposure to high concentrations of inert gases, such as nitrogen or argon  To be effective, **O2 levels of <2%** must be achieved and maintained **O2 of >6% prior to death allows immediate recovery** Ex: CO, exsanguination, low atmospheric pressure stunning of poultry (LAPS) in poultry
28
Limitations of Hypoxia Techniques for Euthanasia
Not appropriate for species or stages of development that are tolerant to prolonged periods of hypoxemia
29
Advantages of Inhaled techniques for euthanasia
 Minimizes operator contact  Individuals or groups  Able to be scaled  Not DEA controlled substances
30
Disadvantages of Inhaled techniques for euthanasia
 Unconsciousness not immediate  Most inhaled methods aversive to animals, humans  Worker protections necessary
31
Volatile Agents as Euthanasia
Halothane – least aversive of inhalants, more aversion with increased concentration large amounts absorbed, significant amounts remain in the body for days even after apparent recovery **unsuitable for euthanasia of food producing animals**
32
CO2 Exposure as Euthanasia
using gradual fill methods less likely to cause pain due to nociceptor activation by carbonic acid prior to onset of unconsciousness Recommendation: **CO2 displacement rate between 10 and 30% of chamber volume per minute** * At these rates, **unconsciousness occurs prior to exposure to CO2 levels known to produce nociceptor stimulation**
33
Aversion Assoc with Nitrogen, Argon
Aversion depends largely on species, conditions of administration Hypoxia from exposure to these gases aversive to laboratory rodents Not directly aversive to poultry, swine: hypoxia appears non inversive
34
Euthanasia: CAS
commercial **controlled atmosphere stunning** processes for stunning of poultry and hogs  Gradual introduction to CAS atmospheres 3 MOA * Physical transport at controlled rate into contained stunning atmospheric gradient * Controlled induction of stunning gases into enclosed space * Controlled reduction of atmospheric pressure to produce hypoxia
35
Fetal Sentience and Euthanasia
* Observation of fetal body, respiratory movements = part of normal fetal physiology in utero - should not be a cause of welfare concern To feel pain: have **adequate neural development for sensory perception, must be in awake conscious state** All mammalian embryos or fetuses studied to date remain in an **unconscious state throughout pregnancy and birth** **Isoelectric EEG, which is incompatible with consciousness, rapidly appears after cessation of maternal oxygen supply**
36
LAPS
Low Atmosphere Pressure Stunning * Stunning poultry prior to humane slaughter * MOA: Gradual reduction of barometric pressure due to hypoxia Negative atmospheric pressure applied gradually over time, typically over 1min in broilers: results in **acute hypoxic state not unlike being in an unpressurized airplane at altitude**
37
Targets with LAPS
Atmospheric pressure =156 mmHg Inspired PO2 = 33 mmHg = 4% oxygen atmosphere at sea level target pressures for broilers achieved within 1’ from start of LAPS cycle maintained for 4’40s to assure recovery to consciousness does not occur prior to exsanguination
38
Advantages of LAPS
o Elimination of welfare issues associated with dumping live birds onto conveyor line o Eliminating the need to handle live birds manually o No hemorrhagic lesions o Low to no risk of gas expansion in enclosed spaces o Corticosteroid concentrations in LAPS stunned broilers nearly half those observed in electrically stunned birds, HR decrease over time
39
Rapid Decompression Vs LAPS
LAPS = **gradual** Rapid decompression = Unacceptable for euthanasia o Causes pain, distress through expansion of gases present in enclosed spaces o Hemorrhagic lesions in lungs, brain, heart
40
Foam Depopulation
**MOA: medium or high expansion foam generating equipment to create a blanket of water based foam to cover the animals** o Most current equipment uses **compressed air ambient air to create bubbles** o Immersion in foam produces rapid airway blockage, occlusion: **death by suffocation** * Water-based foam requires less time to death than CO2 gas, with similar pretreatment and post-mortem corticosterone levels
41
Foam Decompression Advantages
o Reduced overall time required to depopulate farms o Reduced number of workers required and their potential exposure to zoonotic disease o Less physical activity while wearing personal protective equipment o Suppression of airborne particulates o Enhancement of carcass disposal using in-house composting o Greater flexibility of use in various style poultry houses, including those structurally damaged
42
What is true of Foam Depopulation?
NOT an AVMA-approved method of euthanasia (LJ), is approved by USDA APHIS
43
What are the indications for foam depopulation?
 Infected with a potentially zoonotic disease  Experiencing an outbreak of a rapidly spreading infectious disease that cannot be easily contained  Housed in structurally unsound buildings
44
Tributamine
o Not currently manufactured, approved for dogs provided administered IV by appropriately trained individual at recommended doses and injection rates o Extra label use in cats also acceptable o Routes of administration other than IV not acceptable
45
T-61
o Acceptable provided administered appropriately by trained individuals o Slow IV injection necessary to avoid muscular paralysis prior to unconsciousness o Routes other than IV unacceptable
46
Preferred: Companion Animals
Euthanasia solution +/- secondary Injectable Ax Overdose +/- secondary Chamber <7kg CO, CO2
47
Permitted: Companion Animals
Expired or compounded euth of ax drugs Alternate routes of barbiturates IV Injury >60% MgSo4 Decapitation Research: a-chloralose, urethane
48
NR: Companion Animals
NMBA with secondary Ultrapotent opioids N2o with secondary Distal gunshot Maceration Cervical dislocation if non anesthetized Electrocution (any)
49
Permitted: small rodents in laboratory setting
Chamber overdose with inhalants Injectables Expired or compounded ax or Euthanasia drugs IP 70% ethanol
50
Preferred: dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits in laboratory settings
Euth solution, inject ax overdose +/- secondary
51
Preferred: NHP in laboratory setting
Euth solution, inject ax overdose +/- secondary
52
Permitted: NHP in laboratory setting
Gunshot Expired, compounded euth or ax drugs
53
Preferred: Aquatic vertebrates in lab setting
Immersion ax agents
54
Permitted: Aquatic vertebrates in lab setting
Rapid chilling for large non cold adapted fish Pitching Blunt force trauma with secondary method
55
Preferred: avian, pounltry in lab setting
Euth solution, inject ax overdose +/- secondary
56
Permitted: avian, pounltry in lab setting
Expired or compounded euth or ax agents
57
Preferred: cattle
Gunshot PCB Barbiturate, ax overdose
58
Permitted: cattle
Expired or compounded euth or ax agents PCB with sedation Electrocution
59
NR: cattle
oral toxins
60
Preferred: SR
Barbiturates CO2 <2mo Injectable Ax Physical methods - gunshot, CPB
61
Permitted SR
Longer range gun shot if cannot be captured expired or compounded ax or euthanasia drugs
62
Permitted SR
Longer range gun shot if cannot be captured
63
NR: SR
Gun shot >3' with confined or restrained animal
64
Preferred: camelids, cervids
PCB
65
Not acceptable in camelids?
Punctilla
66
Preferred, poultry: floor reared/confined (includes aviary style housing)
Water based foam nozzles, generators Whole house gassing partial house gassing Containerized gassing Cervical dislocation or mechanically assisted Captive bolt gun
67
Permitted, poultry: floor reared/confined (includes aviary style housing)
Gunshot Vent Shut Down with something else Exsang Controlled demolition Decap
68
NR, poultry: floor reared/confined (includes aviary style housing)
vent shut down alone
69
Swine, preferred
Injectable overdose inhalants gun shot PCB, NPCB - age of pig electrocution Manual blunt force trauma (piglets)
70
Swine, permitted
Expired, compounded drugs VSD+ Sodium nitirite
71
Cage-Housed Poultry, Preferred
Whole or partial house gassing Containerized gassing
72
Cage Housed Poultry, Permitted
Compressed air foam Cerv dislocation +/- mechanical assistance CPB VSD+ Decapitation
73
Cage Housed Poultry, NR
Water based foam generations, foam nozzles Gunshot Vent shunt down alone
74
Outdoor Access Poultry, Preferred
CPB Cerv dislocation +/- technically assisted Containerized gassing
75
Outdoor Access Poultry, Permitted
Water based foam generations, foam nozzles Partial house gassing Gun shot Exsang Controlled demolition Decap Cervical dislocation
76
Outdoor Access Poultry, NR
Whole house gassing VSD alone
77
Emu/Ostrich, preferred
mech assisted CD CPB Ingested or injected agent Gunshot
78
Emu/Ostrich, NR
Water based foam nozzles VSD alone
79
Emu, Ostrich permitted
Cerv dislocation controlled demolition containerized gassing exsang after stunning or sedation Whole/partial house gassing Water based foam generators Compressed air foam VSD+ decapitaton
80
Companion, life-style, high value birds preferred
CPB Containerized gassing injected or ingested agent Cervical dislocation
81
Companion, life-style, high value birds - permitted
Gunshot Water based foam generators, nozzles compressed air foam decapitation
82
Companion, life-style, high value birds NR
VSD alone Controlled demolition exsang whole house gassing
83
Fertilized eggs, embryos, neonates
Containerized gassing **higher CO2 vs adults** Cooling, freezing if <80% incubated Maceration (<72hr)
84
Equines, preferred
Gunshot PCB Euth, anesthesia followed by second method
85
Equines, permitted
Gunshot at range Exsanguination via rectum - aortal laceration Expired or compounded drugs Alterative routes for drugs
86
Equine: NR
Chloral hydrate IV MgSO4 >60% PO toxins
87
Bats, preferred
Inhalants
88
Bats, permitted
overdose of injectable compound or expired formulations
89
Bats, NR
Physical methods gunshot pesticides, baits, fumigants
90
Aquatic Animals, Preferred
Immersion, injectable, physical Electrocution
91
Aquatic animals, permitted
chlorine, rotenone CO2 Dry ice hypothermia shock/rapid chilling decapitation CD
92
Aquatic Animals, NR
Ca Oxide Quick lime and formalin Dewatering
93
Aquatic Invertebrates, preferred, acceptable
Immersion in non inhaled agents eg MgSO4, clove oil, eugenol
94
Aquatic Invertebrates: Conditional
Adjunctive methods: 70% ethanol, neutral-buffered 10% formalize, pithing, freezing, boiling
95
Amphibians, acceptable
Species injectable barbiturates, DAs, ax topical or injected MS222 or topical benzocaine
96
Amphibians, conditional
Inhalants CO2 PCB or firearm blunt force trauma **Rapid freezing <4g**
97
Reptiles, acceptable
injectable barbiturates, MS 222, DA, adjunctive method
98
Reptiles, conditional
Inhalants CO2 PCB or firearm blunt force trauma **Rapid freezing <4g** Spinal cord severance, destruction of brain (crocodiles)
99
Rodents, conditional
Inhaled anesthetics, CO2, CO, tribromoethanol, ethanol, CD, decap, **focused beam microwave irridation**
100
Fish, acceptable
Immersion in buffered benzocaine or benzocaine HCl, iso, sevo, quinaldine sulfate, buffered MS222, 2-phenoxyehtanol, injected pentobarbital, **rapid chilling in non cold tolerant** fish
101
Fish, Conditional
Eugenol Isoeugenol Clove oil CO2 saturated water Decap, cervical transection manually applied blunt force trauma + pithing, exsang maceration CPB (large fish)

Boards: Other Topics (Endocrine, CPR, Euthanasia, etc) (8 decks)

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