Humane Euthanasia

What are the acceptable methods of equine euthanasia

• barbiturate overdose

• KCl (IV) or lidocaine (intrathecal injection)

• gunshot (brain)

• penetrating captive bolt (brain)

KCl (IV) or lidocaine can ONLY be administered to a horse

under general aesthesia

for barbiturate overdose, what drug is given by rapid IV administration

sodium pentobarbital

In barbiturate overdose, CNS depression leads to

rapid loss of consciousness and deep anesthesia followed by respiratory arrest and cardiac failure.

during barbiturate overdose, horses often exhibit

muscular movement and agonal gasping through unconscious

How do you monitor for death

loss of corneal reflexes and cessation of heart beat

barbiturate residues in tissues may limit

the owner’s options for carcass disposal

unlike small animals and ruminants, horses

do not ie down when sedated

Horses ____ when euthanized, which can pose a risk to human handlers and bystanders

FALL

Veterinarians should direc thte procedure, and have owners

observe rather than assist where possible

what considerations should you make for on-farm euthanasia

• arena or clear area in field

• position people so they can’t be pinned between horse and wall

• soft footing helps to alleviate owner anxiety

if owner must assist, caution the against

trying to control the horse’s fall or prevent the head striking the ground

what drugs would you use to induce prior to intrathecal lidocaine

IV xylazine and ketamine

in intrathecal lidocaine, you would place a spinal needle at the ______-______ ______, withdraw ___ cc of cerebrospinal fluid, then instill _____cc of lidocaine

atlanto-occipital space

60cc cerebrospinal fluid

60-90 cc lidocaine

in comparison to barbiturates, drug residues pose a ____ risk of toxicity to scavengeres

lesser; improved disposal options

gunshots to the brain and PCB penetrate trauma to which areas?

cerebrum and brainstem

what are the pros of gunshot to the brain and penetrating captive bolt (PCB)

• instant brain death

• painless and humane (when done properly)

considerations for gunshot to the brain

firearm laws apply

for Penetrating captive bolt (PCB), the horse must be _______ to ensure proper placement of the device to the skull

restrained, mobile head and neck makes it more difficult than in cattle

for livestock carcass disposal, it is often highly regulated at the

state and/or municipal levels

what are options in MN for livestock carcass disposal

• rendering

• composting

• incineration/cremation

• biodigestion (alkaline hydrolysis)

• landfill

• burial (subject to restrictions)

what is a common method of on farm disposal for livestock, with interested growing in the hose community?

composting

what are the pros of composting?

inexpensive and environmentally safe

what is the caveat for composting

questions remain regarding persistence and extent of barbiturate residues

what is one other euthanasia method we may consider for bovine

exsanguination

for small ruminants, they have the same euthanasia options as

cattle

for gunshot and captive bolt, what is the preferred landmark for small ruminants

poll site

livestock euthanasia is often performed by

farm staff

what is required of farm staff when performing euthanasia

• written protocols for criteria, confirmation of death, carcass handling

• maintain records

• maintenance plans for firearms

What are unacceptable euthanasia methods?

• manually applied blunt head trauma

• neuromuscular blocking drugs

• KCl in a conscious animal

• exsanguination of a conscious animal

• drowning

• cleaning agents

• air embolism

• electrocution with house current

emergency euthanasia by non vets and who can do it varies by

state

handguns and shotguns need to be _______ ft from the target

1-3 feet

what firearms can you use?

handguns, rifles, shotgun

which point bullets are preferred

solid point vs hollow point

what is the risk with shot shells

risk of spread/ricochet

_____ calibers are preferred

large

for rifles what size caliber should you use

0.22 for calves, higher for adults

what size caliber should you use with shotguns on calves

0.410 to 12 gauge

what size caliber should you use with shotguns on adults

12,16, or 20

what birdshots or slugs should you use

#4-6 birdshot and slugs

what two methods require for the cattle to be unconscious

exsanguination and intrathecal