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Also see: Sample Protocal Full Version
1. Set up designated euthanasia area:
a) Ensure that the designated euthanasia space
is fully stocked with necessary equipment and supplies and offers
good overhead lighting as well as a sturdy table;
b) Ensure the euthanasia room is quiet and does
not allow other staff or people to pass through during euthanasia.
Relaxing music at soft volume levels can be played to further
enhance the quiet atmosphere;
c) If animals are to be euthanized in their
"home" kennel rather than further stressing animals
by removing them and taking them to a designated room, ensure
that other animals cannot witness euthanasia or carcasses by draping
kennels with sheets or blankets.
2. Staff performing euthanasia are trained in
a certified course supplemented by on-the-job training, oversight
and support:
a) Random audits of procedures and proficiency
are conducted by administration, consultants or veterinarian to
ensure that humane procedures are being strictly adhered to;
b) Administration remains current on euthanasia
procedures and is committed to providing proper facilities, equipment,
supplies, training programs and stress management tools for employees
participating in euthanasia.
3. Animals are selected for euthanasia according
to shelter/department policy which includes Temperament Testing,
psychological breakdown, and health, etc
4. Prior to preparing the animal for euthanasia
and prior to euthanizing, paperwork is checked by two staff members
to ensure the animal being euthanized has been selected for euthanasia
and to ensure mistakes are not made resulting in euthanasia of the
wrong animal:
a) Staff checks for identification, tattoos
(inside lip, flank or ear) or microchips on intake and re-check
prior to euthanasia.
b) Staff re-verify all paperwork including cage/kennel
card, intake card, animal ID information, paying special attention
to holding period times and pending adoptions, re-claims or "special
holds" on the animal.
5. Staff perfoms euthanasia in accordance with
humane standards taught in certified training course:
a) Animals are euthanized via an intravenous
injection whenever possible, with intraperitoneal injections allowed
on some animals such as feral cats, birds and small novelty pets.
Intracardiac injections are only used on animals sedated to a
surgical level, verified through toe-pinch or eye reflex.
b) IV injections are given into the cephalic
vein (preferred site for IV injection; located on top of the front
paw) whenever possible, with alternate sites allowed as per certified
training.
c) Administers anesthetic anytime an animal
is in distress or at risk of pain or suffering during the procedure.
6. Staff evaluates animals scheduled for euthanasia
and pre-anesthetizes as necessary using a recommended mixture of:
Xylazine (1 mg/lb) with Ketamine (5 mg/lb).
Formula One: The suggested mixture by volume is
1:1, such as 0.5 cc of Xylazine (20 mg/cc) + 0.5 cc of ketamine
(100 mg/cc). Note: Ensure the produce used is Small Animal Xyalamine
or small animal Rompun" when using this dosage. Dosage is:
1 cc of ketamine/xylazine mixture per 10 lbs given IM sedation
should occur within five minutes.
Formula Two: Add 2 ml of "large animal Xylazine
(100 mg/ml) to a 10 ml vial of ketamine. Label the vial with the
date, the amount of xylazine added and your initials. Dosage for
dogs, cats, raccoons, opossum and skunks is: 0.6 ml per 10 lbs,
IM or SQ.
Suggested dosage chart for ketamine/xylazine mixture:
0.6 mls - 10 lbs
0.9 mls -15 lbs
1.2 mls - 20 lbs
1.5 mls 25 lbs
1.8 mls 30 lbs
2.1 mls 35 lbs
2.4 mls 40 lbs
2.7 mls 45 lbs
3.0 mls 50 lbs
a) Animals who are unsocial, fearful, fractious,
aggressive, dangerous, dehydrated or scheduled for euthanasia
using an intracardiac injection, or scheduled to be euthanized
without the assistance of a handler are anesthetized to a surgical
level (verified by a toe pinch or eye reflex) prior to euthanasia.
7. Handler duties while holding animals for euthanasia:
a) Ensures procedure is performed according
to humane standards, accredited training guidelines and department
protocol, including controlled substance guidelines;
b) Re-checks paperwork and animal identification;
c) Speaks comfortingly and reassuringly to the
animal throughout the procedure;
d) Restrains animal and responds to directives
from the injector;
e) Holds the animal so the animal's head is
away from the injector;
f) Gently but firmly holds the animal against
the body without restricting breathing or inducing distress;
g) Applies gentle pressure to the cephalic vein
or other vein with the thumb, slightly rotating the hand and thumb
clockwise (laterally) to provide tension on the vein;
h) Releases pressure on the vein when instructed
to do so by the injector;
i) During injection of the cephalic vein, the
handler keeps the leg extended by maintaining pressure on the
back of the leg, just above the elbow;
j) Maintains mild restraint until the animal
succumbs to the drug and collapses;
k) Works with injector to verify signs of death
using as many recommended methods as necessary to verify death,
including: watching for signs of breathing; palpating the animal
for a heartbeat, breath or pulse; toe pinch; checking for a heartbeat
with the stethoscope; eye reflex; Rigor Mortis (facial muscles
first in 1/2 to one hour); and by inserting the needle into the
heart to check for movement.
l) Helps with carcass disposition after death
has been verified absolutely. Animal is not left alone, bagged
or placed in refrigerator/freezer or other disposal vehicle until
death is verified.
m) Works with injector to clean table between
animals;
n) Works with injector to complete all paperwork
and drug logs;
o) Works with other staff to clean and re-stock
euthanasia room as necessary;
p) Conveys concerns and staff needs to administration
as necessary to ensure equipment and supplies are well stocked
and available and that staff is provided with needed support.
8. Injector duties while performing euthanasia:
a) Ensures procedure is performed according
to humane standards, accredited training guidelines and department
protocol, including controlled substance regulations;
b) Verifies paperwork and animal identification;
c) Calculates drug dose and fills syringe using
one needle to draw the drug and a new sharp needle to inject the
animal;
d) Selects a new needle of appropriate size
for each animal being euthanized, ensuring there are no barbs
on the needle;
e) Clips or trims the injection site as necessary
to assist in finding the vein, using warm water first, and alcohol
second, to help visualize the vein as needed. Cats should not
be subjected to the electric clipper.
f) Remains calm, speaking comfortingly and reassuringly
to the animal;
g) Is prepared to offer anesthetic at anytime
during the procedure as needed to ensure the animal is not stressed,
pained, frightened or suffering;
h) Inserts needle low on the leg, with the bevel
side up when animal is properly restrained and vein has been visualized;
i) Checks insertion by aspirating blood into
the syringe;
j) Instructs handler to release pressure on
the vein to allow drug to enter the bloodstream;
k) Injects drug steadily and as rapidly as possible,
ensuring needle remains inside of vein and dose does not "bubble"
under the skin;
l) Removes needle when dose has been delivered
and disposes of needle in an appropriate medical waste container;
m) Works with handler to verify signs of death
using as many recommended methods as necessary to verify death,
including: watching for signs of breathing; palpating the animal
for a heartbeat, breath or pulse; toe pinch; checking for a heartbeat
with the stethoscope; eye reflex; Rigor Mortis (facial muscles
first in 1/2 to one hour); and by inserting the needle into the
heart to check for movement.
n) Helps with carcass disposition after death
has been verified absolutely. Animal is not left alone, bagged
or placed in refrigerator/freezer or other disposal vehicle until
death is verified.
o) Works with handler to clean table between
animals;
p) Works with handler to complete all paperwork
and drug logs;
q) Works with other staff to clean and re-stock
euthanasia room as necessary.
r) Ensures controlled substance logs are fully
complete and returns drugs to locked safe according to DEA/NMPB
regulations;
s) Conveys concerns and staff needs to administration
as necessary to ensure equipment and supplies are well stocked
and available and that staff is provided with needed support.
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