Lesson 43 - Equine Euthanasia

What are the primary objectives of euthanasia?

1. Relieve pain and suffering of the animal(s) to be euthanized

2. Minimize pain, anxiety, distress, and fear the animal experiences before consciousness is lost

3. Induce a painless and distress-free death

What are the "acceptable" methods of euthanasia as described by AVMA guidelines?

consistently produce a humane death when used as a sole method of euthanasia

What are the "acceptable with conditions" methods of euthanasia as described by AVMA guidelines?

techniques that may require certain conditions to be met consistently to produce humane death. may have a greater potential for operator error or pose more of a safety hazard or need a 2° mechanism

What are the "unacceptable" methods of euthanasia as described by AVMA guidelines?

deemed inhumane or posing a substantial risk to the operator

Which methods are deemed unacceptable when used alone?

strychnine, nicotine, caffeine, magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, cleaning agents, solvents, disinfectants and other toxins or salts, and all neuromuscular blocking agents

How do we define welfare?

1. Animal can function well

2. Animal feels well

3. Animal has the capacity to perform behaviors that are innate

What are the AAEP guidelines for equine euthanasia?

1. Is the condition chronic or incurable

2. Does the immediate condition suggest a hopeless prognosis for life

3. Is the horse a hazard to itself or its handlers

4. Will the horse require continuous medication for the relief of pain for the remainder of its life

5. Will the condition result in a lifetime of continued individual confinement

What are some common reasons to euthanize horses?

1. Incurable progressive disease

2. Incurable transmissible disease

3. Chronic severe lameness

4. Inoperable colic

5. Foal born with serious defects

6. Debilitation in old age

7. Severe traumatic injury

8. Dangerous behavioral traits

Is the AAEP opposed to euthanasia of unwanted horses, when appropriate, by properly trained personnel, using acceptable humane methods?

no

What is an "unwanted horse"?

horses not wanted by their current owner because they are old, injured, sick, unmanageable, or fail to meet their owner's expectations

How do you determine which euthanasia method to use?

1. Human Safety

2. Horse Welfare

3. Restraint

4. Practicality

5. Skill

6. Cost

7. Aesthetics

What are the two physical means of euthanasia that are acceptable by AVMA standards with the appropriate restraint?

1. Captive penetrating bolt

2. Gunshot

What are the requirements for gunshot euthanasia of a horse?

1. .32, 9mm or .38 caliber bullets

2. Bullets should be solid points

3. Hollow points and full metal jackets are less ideal

4. Shot guns loaded with shot shells (#4, 5, 6) also useful

What is the traditional method of equine euthanasia?

sedation with xylazine HCL and ketamine followed by sodium pentobarbital

What is the typical euthanasia solution amount for a horse?

10 ml per 100 lb. (120 ml for an average-sized horse)

What is typically used to deliver a euthanasia solution?

2 x 60 ml syringes and > 18-gauge needle/or 14-gauge catheter

What drug combination is used to achieve a controlled sit/lie down before sodium pentobarbital injection?

ketamine +/- diazepam/midazolam

What happens immediately after sodium pentobarbital injection?

1. The horse should collapse

2. Brief period of muscle contraction (may be violent) followed by slow relaxation

3. Confirm death within 5 minutes

How is death confirmed?

1. Dilated/unresponsive pupil

2. No corneal reflex

3. No breathing or heartbeat

What does it mean if euthanasia with sodium pentobarbital takes longer than 5 minutes?

may need another method

What are some alternative euthanasia methods that require induction with xylazine IV (1.1 mg/kg) followed by ketamine IV (2.2 mg/kg) +/- diazepam/midazolam?

1. Saturated solution of potassium chloride (dosage 75-150 mg/kg IV) or intracardiac 1-2 mmol/kg

2. Magnesium sulphate (2 ml/kg IV)

3. Intrathecal lidocaine

4. Exsanguination by lacerating the caudal aorta

What is an alternative euthanasia method in the UK/EU that is very dangerous to humans?

somulose (secobarbital/cinchocaine)

What are some additional considerations with equine euthanasia?

1. Is this planned or on emergency (consider animals suffering)

2. Will the clients be present and who are they

3. Burial vs. cremation (means of disposal)

4. Insurance company policy

What are the means of disposal after euthanasia?

1. Burial

2. Rendering

3. Incineration

4. Composting/Bio-digestion

What is required for most burials?

minimum of 3-4 ft dirt cover with > 100 ft from water source

What can remains euthanized with pentobarbital be potentially poisonous for?

1. birds (e.g., bald and golden eagles, vultures, hawk species, gulls, crows, ravens)

2. carnivorous mammals (e.g., bears, martens, fishers, foxes, lynxes, bobcats, cougars)

3. domestic dogs

What are the recommendations for legal disposal by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for prevention of secondary poisoning from pentobarbital?

1. incinerate or cremate animal remains whenever possible

2. immediately bury deeply according to local laws and regulations

3. securely cover or store animal remains if the ground is frozen until such time as deep burial is practical

4. review and modify local landfill practices to prevent access of scavengers to legally disposed animal remains

5. educate clients about proper disposal

6. include a warning regarding disposal of animal remains on the euthanasia consent form

7. tag animal remains and outer bags or containers with prominent poison tags

What is rendered protein used in?

animal feed for cattle (products from ruminants prohibited by law for use here), swine, poultry. finfish, aquatic invertebrates, and companion animals