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CCPA, Guide Vol. 1 (2nd ed.) 1993 Appendix XIV


APPENDIX XIV

METHODS FOR EUTHANASIA BY SPECIES
(Methods in order of Acceptability)

Species
Most Acceptable
Acceptable
AMPHIBIANS Barbiturates 
Inhalant anesthetics 
Tricaine methanesulfonate MS-222 
Benzocaine
Double pithing 
Decapitation and pithing 
Stunning and pithing 
CO2 + O2 mixture
AVIAN SPECIES 
(birds)
Barbiturates 
Inhalant anesthetics
Electrocution stunning followed by
  exsanguination 
CO2 + O2 mixture 
Physical stunning followed by 
  exsanguination or 
  decapitation
BOVINE SPECIES 
(calves, cows, goats, sheep and other ruminants)
Barbiturates 
Penetrating captive bolt followed by
  exsanguination
Shooting followed by 
  exsanguination
CATS Inhalant anesthetics 
Barbiturates
CO2 + O2 mixture
DOGS Inhalant anesthetics 
Barbiturates
CO2 + O2 mixture
EQUINES (horses) Barbiturates Shooting 
Penetrating captive bolt
FISH Tricaine methanesulfonate MS-222 
Benzocaine
Stunning followed by cervical 
  dislocation or decapitation
FUR BEARING ANIMALS 
(mink, fox, others raised for fur)
Barbiturates 
Electrical stunning using special 
  equipment followed by cervical 
  dislocation 
Inhalant anesthetics in specially 
  designed chamber
CO 
CO2 + O2
INVERTEBRATES 
(cephalopods, crustacea)
Tricaine methanesulfonate MS-222 
Benzocaine
CO2 bubbling through water
MARINE MAMMALS 
(seals, porpoises, cetacea)
Barbiturates 
Etorphine hydrochloride
Stunning followed by 
  exsanguination
NON-HUMAN PRIMATES Barbiturates 
Inhalant anesthetics
Tranquillization and CO2 + O2 mixture
RABBITS Barbiturates 
Inhalant anesthetics
CO2 + O2 mixture
REPTILES Inhalant anesthetics in special 
  chamber 
Barbiturates
CO2 + O2 mixture
RODENTS (and similar small species) Inhalant anesthetics in special '
  chambers 
Barbiturates 
Microwave irradiation in specially
  designed units
CO2 + O2 mixture 
CO
SWINE Barbiturates 
Inhalant anesthetics
Electrocution using special 
  equipment
WILD AMIMALS 
(200 species, etc.)
Shooting by expert marksman 
Immobilization followed by 
  barbiturates
Sedation followed by penetrating 
  captive bolt


Barbiturates includes an overdose of all pharmacological agents which depress the Central Nervous System (CNS) producing irreversible unconsciousness and death (see also Euthanasia and CCAC policy statements).

Competence and knowledge of agents and procedures are mandatory requirements for personnel conducting euthanasia.

Any other means (not listed here) of killing an experimental animal, must not be undertaken without prior review and approval by an Animal Care Committee (ACC), and should only be done in expert hands.

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