Agents and Methods of Euthanasia by Species |
| Species |
Acceptable |
Conditionally acceptable |
| Amphibians |
Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics (in appropriate species), CO, CO2, Tricaine methane sulfonate, benzocaine hydrochloride, double pithing |
Penetrating captive bolt, gunshot, stunning and decapitation, decapitation and pithing |
| Birds |
anesthetics, CO2, CO, gunshot (free ranging only) |
N2, Ar, cervical dislocation, decapitation, thoracic compression (small, free-ranging only) |
| Cats |
Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics, CO, CO2, potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia |
N2, Ar |
| Dogs |
Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics, CO, potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia |
N2, Ar, penetrating captive bolt, electrocution |
| Fish |
Barbiturates, inhalant anesthetics, CO2, Tricaine methane sulfonate, benzocaine hydrochloride, 2-phenoxyethanol |
Decapitation and pithing, Stunning and decapitation/pithing |
| Horses |
Barbiturates, potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia, penetrating captive bolt |
Chloral hydrate (IV, after sedation), gunshot, electrocution |
| Marine mammals |
Barbiturates, etorphine hydrochloride |
Gunshot |
| Mink, fox and other animals produced for fur |
Barbiturates, Inhalant anesthetics, CO, CO2 (mink require high concentrations for euthanasia without supplemental agents), Potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia |
N2, Ar, electrocution, followed by cervical dislocation |
| Non-human primates |
Barbiturates |
Inhalant anesthetics, CO, CO2, N2, Ar |
| Rabbits |
Barbiturates, Inhalant anesthetics, CO, CO2, 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, stunning and decapitation, decapitation and pithing |
| Rodents and other small animals |
Barbiturates, Inhalant anesthetics, CO, CO2, microwave irradiation, Potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia |
N2, Ar, cervical dislocation (rats <200 g), decapitation |
| Ruminants |
Barbiturates, Potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia, penetrating captive bolt |
Chloral hydrate (IV, after sedation), gunshot, electrocution |
| 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) |
| Zoo Animals |
Barbiturates, Inhalant anesthetics, CO2, CO, Potassium chloride in conjunction with general anesthesia |
N2, Ar, Penetrating captive bolt, Gunshot |
| 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 |