Veterinary Euthanasia Techniques

Kathleen A. Cooney, DVM, MS, is founder and owner of Home to Heaven, P.C., a mobile veterinary hospice and euthanasia service based in northern Colorado. Jolynn R. Chapell, DVM, is in private practice, specializing in exotic medicine, at Aspenwing Bird and Animal Hospital in Loveland, CO.Robert J. Callan, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM, is a professor at Colorado State University (CSU) in the Department of Clinical Sciences and service head of the Livestock Medicine and Surgery Service at the CSU James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital.Bruce A. Connally, DVM, MS, is a former assistant professor and faculty member in equine ambulatory services at CSU.

• About the Authors viiAcknowledgments ixIntroduction xi1 Client Considerations 1Companion animals 3Species-specific considerations 62 Equipment 19Technique-specific equipment 19Euthanasia area equipment 29Drugs 30Species-specific considerations 353 Positioning and Restraint 43Positioning 43Restraint 45Species-specific considerations 454 Pre-euthanasia Sedation and Anesthesia 51Anesthesia 52Sedation 53Drugs and routes of administration 55Assessing unconsciousness and sedation 56Specific-species considerations 575 Euthanasia Techniques 73How death is achieved 73Choosing an appropriate method 75Inhalant methods 78Injectable methods 79Physical methods 79Species-specific techniques 79Unacceptable methods for domestic animals 164Death and associated signs 1656 Body Aftercare 169Burial 170Composting 172Cremation/incineration 173Rendering 174Species-specific considerations 174Conclusion 183Bibliography 185Index 191

“This is a book that you should purchase and not let sit on the shelf. Use it to perfect a ‘good death’ for your own patients.”  (Australian Veterinary Journal, 1 April 2013)“So while this is not a perfect book, it definitely does what they intend and I genuinely look forward to future editions.”  (Veterinary Practice News, 1 March 2013)“Overall, this is a wonderful resource for any practitioner or technician. The information is logically organized, enabling quick and easy retrieval. No other resource covers the topic of euthanasia as completely.”  (Doody’s,25 January 2013)“The text would be useful both in an educational as well as clinical setting for review and further study.”  (Vspn.org, 1 January 2013)“Veterinary Euthanasia Techniques’ is very much a practical guide for veterinary surgeons and technicians on what is a difficult decision to make – and to get right.”  (Veterinary Record, 15 December 2012)"The book can be used as a manual covering step-by-step techniques or as a starting point for discussing options with clients. No vet's library should be without this manual!."  (The Bookwatch, 1 November 2012)“On balance, the authors of this new book have succeeded in providing a practical guide to the euthanasia techniques for all species the practising veterinarian is likely to encounter.”  (Animal Welfare, 1 November 2012)