Agents and Methods of Euthanasia by Species |
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| 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 |
From 2000 Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia.