IACUC Policy for Euthanasia of Research Animals
- Definition
- Policy
- Ensuring Euthanasia of Laboratory Animals
- Agents and Methods of Euthanasia by Species
- Who to Contact for Help
Definition
Euthanasia is the act of inducing humane death in an animal by a method that induces rapid loss of consciousness and death with a minimum of pain, discomfort or distress.
Policy
Animal welfare regulations require that the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approves the euthanasia method for research animals. The proposed method of euthanasia and the criteria used to assess pain and distress in animals must be described in detail in the IACUC Application to Use Animals in Research or Teaching. Additionally, the protocol must include contact information for all members of the research group, so that Veterinary Services can always reach someone with authority to deal with sick or injured animals.
The Lead Researcher is responsible for assuring the committee that each member of the study team is prepared and familiar with an established course of action in the event that an animal must be euthanized to alleviate pain or distress. At least one member of the study team must be available locally at all times to euthanize any animal exhibiting symptoms of pain or distress. Lead Researchers are ultimately responsible for the euthanasia of all animals purchased or bred under their approved protocols. ULAR staff will only euthanize animals after contacting laboratory staff, unless immediate euthanasia is required to relieve acute animal suffering.
The method by which death will be confirmed in euthanized animals must be described in the approved protocol. Since rodents can be particularly resistant to euthanasia by standard methods, IACUC policy requires that an approved secondary physical method of euthanasia be employed prior to carcass disposal in ALL rodent species.
NOTE: Unintended recovery of animals after apparent death from CO2 or other euthanasia agents constitutes serious noncompliance. All incidents involving unintended recovery of euthanized animals are reported to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare at NIH.
Ensuring Humane Euthanasia of Laboratory Animals
The table below summarizes the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) recommendations on humane euthanasia methods. Personnel must be adequately trained in performing the approved techniques and in confirming death. A profoundly anesthetized or severely ill animal can appear dead upon cursory examination; one cannot rely solely on imprecise measures such as lack of movement and lack of visible breathing to declare an animal dead.
Confirming Death in Rodent Species
Rodents, especially neonates, are particularly resistant to euthanasia by overdose of inhaled agents such as CO2 or even injectable agents; for this reason, the IACUC requires a secondary physical method of euthanasia FOR ALL RODENTS after the animal is profoundly anesthetized, prior to carcass disposal. Acceptable secondary physical methods for adult and neonatal rodents include:
- Decapitation
- Cardiac perfusion
- Removal of vital organs (e.g. heart, lungs, brain)
- Opening of the chest cavity to induce pneumothorax
- Cutting the major blood vessels to induce exsanguination (e.g. aorta, vena cava)
- Cervical dislocation may only be used in adult rodents, as it can be difficult to perform in neonates and thus is not appropriate for use in animals prior to weaning. Formal training in cervical dislocation is recommended – contact Veterinary Services for details.
These procedures may not be performed in conscious animals without specific IACUC approval.
Confirmation of Death in Non-Rodent Mammalian Species
- Heart beat: must be assessed for five minutes or more. The best assessment is through direct palpation of either the pulse in the carotid or femoral artery or direct cardiac palpation. If there is any question, the thorax should be opened, the heart exposed and viewed directly or palpated to confirm lack of activity. Arterial pulse of smaller species may be difficult to palpate, so direct inspection of cardiac mechanical activity is necessary. Lack of electrical activity of the heart as determined by ECG (provided that the leads are correctly connected) may also be utilized to confirm death.
- Pupillary response to light: Shine a bright light into the eyes of the animal. A constriction (narrowing) of the pupil indicates a neurological response. Upon death, the pupils will become dilated and unresponsive to light. Some drugs and experimental agents (e.g., anticholinergics such as atropine) can prevent pupillary reactivity or otherwise affect this neurological response.
- Respiratory pattern: Profoundly anesthetized animals may exhibit shallow and irregular breathing patterns that may be confused for lack of spontaneous breathing. Thus, lack of spontaneous breathing should not be used as sole criteria for confirming euthanasia.
Confirmation of Death in Ectothermic Vertebrates
Additional care must be taken to ensure death following euthanasia in ectothermic vertebrates such as fish, reptiles and amphibians. Such animals may normally exhibit very low heart rates, and the heart and brain are very tolerant to hypoxia; many ectotherms can voluntarily hold their breath for an hour or more. Absence of heart rate and/or breathing will not necessarily provide confirmation of death in these animals; secondary methods for ectothermic vertebrates should always include either removal of the heart or decapitation followed by placement of the head in liquid nitrogen.
Agents and Methods of Euthanasia by Species
(from Appendix I from AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia 20071)
| Species | Acceptable* | Conditionally Acceptable† |
|---|---|---|
| Amphibians | Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics (in appropriate species), CO2, CO, tricaine methane sulfonate (TMS, MS 222), benzocaine hydrochloride, double pithing | Penetrating captive bolt, gunshot, stunning and decapitation, decapitation and pithing |
| Birds | Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics, CO2, CO, gunshot (free-ranging only) | N2, Ar, cervical dislocation, decapitation, thoracic compression (small, free-ranging only), maceration (chicks, poults, and pipped eggs only) |
| Cats | Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics, CO2, CO, potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia | N2, Ar |
| Dogs | Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics, CO2, CO, potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia | N2, Ar, penetrating captive bolt, electrocution |
| Fish | Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics, CO2, tricaine methane sulfonate (TMS, MS 222), benzocaine hydrochloride, 2-phenoxyethanol | Decapitation and pithing, stunning and decapitation/pithing |
| Nonhuman primates | Barbiturates | Inhalant anesthetics, CO2, CO, N2, Ar |
| Rabbits | Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics, CO2, CO, potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia | N2, Ar, cervical dislocation (< 1 kg), decapitation, penetrating captive bolt |
| Reptiles | Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics (in appropriate species), CO2 (in appropriate species) | Penetrating captive bolt, gunshot, decapitation and pithing, stunning and decapitation, head immediately placed in liquid nitrogen |
| Rodents and other small mammals | Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics, CO2, CO, potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia, microwave irradiation | Methoxyflurane, ether, N2, Ar, cervical dislocation (rats < 200 g), decapitation |
| Swine | Barbiturates, CO2, potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia, penetrating captive bolt | Inhalant anesthetics, CO, chloral hydrate (IV, after sedation), gunshot, electrocution, blow to the head (< 3 weeks of age) |
| Free-ranging wildlife | Barbiturates IV or IP, inhalant anesthetics, potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia | CO2, CO, N2, Ar, penetrating captive bolt, gunshot, kill traps (scientifically tested) |
| *Acceptable methods are those that consistently produce a humane death when used as the sole means of euthanasia. †Conditionally acceptable methods are those that by the nature of the technique or because of greater potential for operator error or safety hazards might not consistently produce humane death or are methods not well documented in the scientific literature. Conditionally acceptable euthanasia methods may only be performed when scientifically justified and approved by the IACUC. | ||
The following additional guidelines must be followed when using CO2 as a euthanasia agent2:
- CO2 must be delivered from compressed gas canister only, i.e.: not from dry ice.
- High concentrations of CO2 may be distressful to some species. Accordingly, pre-filling the chamber is recommended only under circumstances in which such use has not been shown to cause distress.
- Chambers used for CO2 euthanasia must not be overcrowded.
- Detailed instructions for the use of CO2 euthanasia (listed under section H1 General Husbandry - H1.11) are posted in all vivarium procedure rooms.
Notes and References:
- June 2007 AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia
- PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals Clarification Regarding Use of Carbon Dioxide for Euthanasia of Small Laboratory Animals, July 17, 2002
Who to Contact for Help
For more detailed information and training in acceptable euthanasia methods, please contact Veterinary Services at 824-7788.
