Ethical euthanasia

Bloodlines · #1 10-25-2006, 06:36 PM

This is something that has been debated for awhile and I would like an opinion from all of you.

1. What would you consider to be the most ethical form of euthanasia for reptiles? Most seem to agree with freezing due to a reptiles ability to slow body temperature and slip off into death with little discomfort.

2. What would you consider to be the most ethical form of euthanasia for amphibians? Freezing is perhaps a bit more complicated in an animal that can in many cases survive temperatures far below freezing.

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Justin Floyd

Dr Alan · #2 10-27-2006, 09:16 AM

For what it's worth....

The American Veterinary Medical Association with backing from the AARV has taken the position that freezing potentially produces severe pain as ice crystals form in the body and central nervous system of reptiles. They recommend the administration of a barbiturate by IV or intracoelomic injection to produce unconsciousness prior to freezing reptiles. There's a considerable monograph and opinion in Doug Mader's reptile medicine book on the subject of humane euthanasia for reptiles.

Personally I have euthanized many reptiles by freezing. The great majority of these animals are or were moribund or unconscious or at best semi-conscious and I didn't feel that the procedure produced any pain for them. Occasionally I have to euthanize fully conscious severely injured snakes and lizards; these animals do receive a barbiturate or injectable anesthetic first.

Bloodlines · #3 10-28-2006, 07:43 PM

I am in agreement with you allan in the pain department. No one can ever say for certain if one animal will experience pain or "fall asleep" as many imply is the case with reptiles. From a medical standpoint barbiturates are the only real humane course of treatment. In a case such as that when an animal is in need of such an injection, veterinary assistance is the best way to ensure a painless death.

Palex134 · #4 10-28-2006, 11:51 PM

while i've had to euthanize a couple of herps, all due to birth deformities, i froze them every time. I felt awful doing it, but I feel that that was the best way to do it. I would love more ideas on how to do it, because with the number of herps I have been hatching lately, more are due to come.

GoldenGateGeckos · #5 12-03-2006, 10:14 PM

I have used the freezer method, but I put them in the refrigerator until they were in a coma first. Since then, I have heard that a CO2 chamber is the most humane way other than having my vet perform the euthanasia via injection.

Reptiluvr · #6 12-04-2006, 12:45 AM

How would you get barbituates for reptiles and what would be the usual dosage to knock them unconcious?

babygyalsw2 · #7 09-10-2007, 10:43 AM

I don't know how our vet put our leo to sleep as I wasn't there...but I think she injected something and it was done quickly and didn't cause our leo any pain...any ideas??

As for euthanasia, I don't think there's anything that will ever be considered completely humane. I'd rather inject them to put them to sleep rather than put them in a freezer though...

vierfleck · #8 09-10-2007, 11:50 AM

Hello,

when i had hatchlings with deformed spine or feet,i gave them to the mother.I made this 3 times with 2 bearded dragon babies and one Furcifer pardalis hatchling.Why freeze them?In nature,the babies get eaten by older ones,too.I dont like to do this.
I would not do this,if an adult one gets ill,because i dont know,if i could harm the animal i feed the sick one.

regards

Matthias

sune jensen · #9 11-11-2007, 04:58 PM

whats up with the freezing method....are you guys afraid to actually get blood on your hands???
To the best of my knowledge it is an old and outdated myth that dead by freezing is painfree in reptiles. Quite the contrary is true, since the first crystals will develop while the animal is still partially conscious and indeed able to feel pain. the eyes may freeze over and even start to crack up from the frost, before the brain gets cold enough for the animals to loose consciousness.
I sometimes have to kill a gecko for whatever reason. So, I take a sharp pair of sciccors, and cut of the head. I might then cut the head in two just to make sure that any remaining nerve tissue in the brain does not feel any pain whatsoever. I might see a little blood, but it is extremely fast and effective.
Other than that I suppose feedeing them to other reps might be ok, unless the animals that you need to kill are sick in any way that might be affect the predator.

Sune

bigballs · #10 12-04-2007, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sune jensen

whats up with the freezing method....are you guys afraid to actually get blood on your hands???
To the best of my knowledge it is an old and outdated myth that dead by freezing is painfree in reptiles. Quite the contrary is true, since the first crystals will develop while the animal is still partially conscious and indeed able to feel pain. the eyes may freeze over and even start to crack up from the frost, before the brain gets cold enough for the animals to loose consciousness.
I sometimes have to kill a gecko for whatever reason. So, I take a sharp pair of sciccors, and cut of the head. I might then cut the head in two just to make sure that any remaining nerve tissue in the brain does not feel any pain whatsoever. I might see a little blood, but it is extremely fast and effective.
Other than that I suppose feedeing them to other reps might be ok, unless the animals that you need to kill are sick in any way that might be affect the predator.

Sune

sounds like you look forward to killing your reptiles. i agree that cutting off the head can be a quick way to kill something but everyone else may not be as comfortable or as quick to kill a beloved and respected pet as easily as you. maybe show a little more respect for other methods of dealing with this situation as well as for the animals that you must euthanize. and if you ever have to put down your pet dog please leave the axe in the shed and bring it to a vet.