Mouse

Mice

Acceptable Sodium pentobarbital

150 mg/kg IP   

• Controlled substance
1. Halothane/Isoflurane
To effect High Concentration Rapid flow
• High flow rates may initially frighten the animal
If a chamber is used
Animal should not come into contact with liquid Animals should not be overcrowded
• Animals should be compatible
No breathing, no heart beat/pulse, no response to toe/ear pinch for at least 2 minutes
• Animal's activity should slow down, then stop, may or may not fall over
If ventilation compromised or slow, requires prolong time Neonates tolerate hypoxia too well to use this method Requires a hood/ventilation
Toxic to personnel
Pregnant persons should avoid
• Should be less than 2 ppm in room
Equipment has to be maintained
Should be cleaned after each use to ensure no odors left Precision vaporizers need to be serviced annually
• Machines checked for leaks
2. Requires some other method of euthanasia to ensure death such as removal of vital organ, exsanguination, or open chest
CO2, CO Gradual filling of tank is preferable
A lower concentration (30%) is less distressful for animals
• In some species, higher concentrations failed to cause death
To effect
No breathing, no heart beat/pulse, no response to toe/ear pinch for at least 2 minutes
• Animal's activity should slow down, then stop, may or may not fall over
Requires some other method of euthanasia to ensure death such as removal of vital organ, exsanguination, or open chest Must use a gas cylinder CO
Very hazardous Special hazard training Must have monitors for CO in room for CO in room No residue
• Does not distort murine cholinergic markers or corticosterone concentrations
  • May cause acidosis
3. Microwave irradiation
   • Requires special, expensive equipment
Conditionally Acceptable N2
Has to achieve <2% oxygen rapidly
• If anesthetized, takes longer
Ar
Has to achieve <2% oxygen rapidly
• If anesthetized, takes longer
Cervical dislocation
Requires scientific justification by user and approval of IACUC
• Requires special training and monitoring
Decapitation
Requires scientific justification by user and approval of IACUC Requires special training and monitoring Hazard, requires special training for hazard
• Equipment has to be maintained
  • Records have to be maintained of sharpening
Adjunctive methods
Methods that are acceptable when used in conjunction with another method that renders the animal unconscious first, prior to using the adjunctive method Potassium chloride
Requires general anesthesia 1-2 mmol/kg Given IV or Intracardiac No withdrawal period
• Get a rippling of muscles and clonic spasms
Exsanguination
• Requires sedated, stunned, or generally anesthetized animal
4. Unacceptable
Intracardiac injection without general anesthesia
• Chloral hydrate