Laboratory animals are killed for a variety of reasons, for example, to allow tissues to be taken for ex-vivo studies, to prevent pain and distress when a humane endpoint of a study has been reached, or when breeding programs result in over-production of some animals.
“Euthanasia” means a gentle or easy death, and the method selected must result in the minimum amount of pain and distress. This requires not only the careful choice of method, and its correct application, but also the careful management of animals before and during the procedure. In many instances, the scientific requirements of a study must be considered alongside the welfare concerns to ensure that death is as free from pain and distress as possible.
In order to achieve this successfully, it is important to be trained in the specific method of euthanasia that you intend to use. This must also be combined with an understanding of the animal and its behaviour and biology. You must also understand the legal, ethical and health and safety issues associated with the process. The e-learning program that accompanies these notes provides instructional video material to help gain this understanding. These notes give additional supplementary information. You will also require practical tuition in the methods of euthanasia that you intend using, and will need to be assessed as competent to perform them before you can do so without direct supervision.
Whichever method is selected, an appropriate environment should be provided, to help ensure the animals remain calm and free from distress. This is often best achieved by killing the animals in their home environment. This may result in animals being killed in the presence of other animals, and this may cause distress to those other animals in the vicinity. The effects vary between species and often depend upon the method of euthanasia being employed. It is best to discuss this with veterinary and technical staff in your Institution.
If animals are moved to another location before euthanasia is carried out, then it may be necessary to provide food and water, depending upon the time period involved. Animals should not be mixed with unfamiliar conspecifics prior to euthanasia, as this can be extremely stressful. Many methods of euthanasia require handling and restraint of the animal, and this must be carried out in a careful and competent manner to avoid causing unnecessary distress. In some circumstances, it may be preferable to use a sedative or anaesthetic agent to provide restraint before carrying out euthanasia and this may be required for some physical methods in larger species.