700.05 methods and techniques for euthanasia of dogs and cats

1. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 700.05
SUBJECT: METHODS AND TECHNIQUES FOR EUTHANASIA OF DOGS AND
CATS
Page: 1
Date: 04/13/99
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 12/12/07
I. PURPOSE
To outline and define the methods and techniques used for euthanasia of dogs and cats.
II. POLICY
It is the policy of Orange County Animal Care Services (OCACS) to euthanize dogs and cats in
a humane manner by methods and techniques designed to cause as painless and rapid a death as
possible.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to all personnel responsible for performing or assisting with euthanasia procedures.
IV. FORMS
Chameleon – Euthanasia-Pre report
Chameleon – Dose Report
Manuel Receipt for Euthanasia and Disposal Services
V. REFERENCES
Fowler, Murray E., Restraint and Handling of Wild and Domestic Animals, Iowa State
University Press, Ames, Iowa, 1978.
Sonsthagen, Teresa F., Restraint of Domestic Animals, American Veterinary Publications, Inc.,
Goleta, California, 1991
Greyhavens, Tim, Handbook of Pentobarbital Euthanasia, Humane Society of the Willamette
Valley, Salem, Oregon, 1989
Grier, Ronald L., Clovin TL. Euthanasia Guide for Animal Shelters, Ames, Iowa, Moss Creek
Publications, 1990
Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia, JAVMA, Volume 218 (#5): panel report, March 1,
2001
Anonymous, California Animal Control Directors Association, Policy #00196: Euthanasia,
April 17, 1996.
VI. DEFINITIONS

2. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 700.05
SUBJECT: METHODS AND TECHNIQUES FOR EUTHANASIA OF DOGS AND
CATS
Page: 2
Date: 04/13/99
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 12/12/07
Not Applicable
VII. PROCEDURE
All personnel using sedatives and/or euthanasia solution are required to obtain and read the
specific Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). A booklet entitled, “Reading and Understanding
Material Safety Data Sheets” is found in the MSDS binder.
A. Canines
1. Euthanasia Request and Animal Identification
Refer to Policy and Procedure 700.11 Training Kennel and Veterinary Staff in
Euthanasia of Small Animals. All animals scheduled for euthanasia shall be re-
scanned for an implanted microchip.
Note: If ANY discrepancy is found or a question arises as to whether the
record description matches the live animal, the Registered Veterinary
Technician (RVT) shall immediately cease euthanasia preparations and cage
the animal until the kennel supervisor can resolve any irregularities.
2. Animal Restraint
a. The dog to be euthanized is moved alone into euthanasia processing area
examination room and placed on examination table. If lifting would
cause pain to the dog, it shall be left standing on floor.
b. The Kennel Attendant (KA) in consultation with the RVT shall
determine whether manual restraint or tranquilization is the more
appropriate restraint method to accomplish the intravenous euthanasia
injection. Dogs that do not allow close physical contact necessary for
manual restraint shall be tranquilized by intramuscular injection of a
standard dose of Telazol ® or an oral dose of Acepromazine. All other
dogs shall be restrained by standard veterinary methods for Cephalic
Venipuncture (see references) following the application of a cloth or
leash muzzle.
c. Once properly restrained, the KA shall grasp either the left or right
foreleg just below the elbow with their thumb on the medial side and
gently roll the tissue mass of the leg laterally so as to expose a pressure-
ligated cephalic vein to the RVT performing the injection.

3. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 700.05
SUBJECT: METHODS AND TECHNIQUES FOR EUTHANASIA OF DOGS AND
CATS
Page: 3
Date: 04/13/99
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 12/12/07
d. In situations where the cephalic vein is not available for venipuncture,
other veins such as the Jugular or Lateral Saphenous maybe utilized.
3. Euthanasia Solution Injection
a. After wetting down the fur over the cephalic vein with alcohol, the RVT
shall perform a cephalic venipuncture by standard veterinary methods.
b. The KA shall release their thumb grasp on the cephalic vein when
instructed by the RVT and the RVT will inject the appropriate amount of
euthanasia solution (at least 1ml per ten pounds of body weight) into the
vein.
4. Monitoring Death
a. The animal will be held in restraint until it begins to lose consciousness
and becomes limp. It will then be lowered gently on the floor or table
surface and allowed to become recumbent.
b. Examine the animal’s mucus membrane color, palpebral/corneal reflex
and respiratory and heart rate to determine if the animal is deceased. If
these parameters are indicative of death, the corpse can then be disposed.
It is the responsibility of all persons involved in the process to ensure the
animal is deceased before disposing of the corpse.
B. Felines
1. Euthanasia Request and Animal Identification
Refer to Policy and Procedure 700.11 Training Kennel and Veterinary Staff in
Euthanasia of Small Animals. All animals scheduled for euthanasia shall be re-
scanned for an implanted microchip.
The cat to be euthanized is removed from its cage by appropriate restraint
methods described below and placed on the examination table in the clinic.
Note: If ANY discrepancy is found or a question arises as to whether the
record description matches the live animal, the RVT is to immediately cease
euthanasia preparations and cage the animal until the kennel supervisor can
resolve any irregularities.
2. Animal Restraint

4. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 700.05
SUBJECT: METHODS AND TECHNIQUES FOR EUTHANASIA OF DOGS AND
CATS
Page: 4
Date: 04/13/99
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 12/12/07
a. The KA in consultation with the RVT shall determine which form of
manual restraint is the more appropriate method to accomplish
euthanasia by intraperitoneal or intravenous injection. Cats shall be
restrained by standard veterinary methods for site specific injection (see
references).
b. Once properly restrained, the KA shall present the abdominal area so as
to expose the caudoventral thorax and abdomen for intraperitoneal
injection by the RVT or as described above for dogs for intravenous
injection (IV).
3. Euthanasia Solution Injection
The RVT shall perform an intraperitoneal injection (IP) by standard veterinary
methods and inject the appropriate amount of euthanasia solution (at least 1ml
per ten pounds of body weight).
4. Monitoring Death
a. The animal will be held until it begins to lose consciousness and
becomes limp. It will then be lowered gently on to the table surface and
allowed to become recumbent.
b. The RVT will examine the animal’s mucus membrane color,
palpebral/corneal reflex and respiratory and heart rate to determine if the
animal is deceased. If these parameters are indicative of death, the corpse
can then be disposed.
C. Record Keeping
1. Following the euthanasia of any animal, the outcome section of the Chameleon
Kennel screen shall be updated with the complete information i.e. type, subtype,
dose, RVT, clinical veterinarian’s initials, date and time.
2. On a daily basis the Dose report and a reconciliation of the euthanasia solution
shall be undertaken.