euthanesia

" The intentional causing of a painless and easy death to a patient
suffering from an incurable or painful disease"
Webster II University Dictionary 1996

It may be beneficial to euthanize an affected animal for examination, especially if there is an outbreak of disease within the herd. In this situation, it is important to select an animal that is showing clinical signs of the disease, and represents other animals in the herd that are affected with similar signs.
There are many ways to euthanize an animal, however there are only a few options available to the producer that are economical, practical, legal and humane. Any euthanasia requires that the animal be rendered unconscious without distress or suffering prior to the cessation of all life functions. When deciding which procedure is right for you, the following must always be considered:

- Human Safety
- Animal Welfare
- Restraint
- Practicality
- Skill of the operator
- Cost
- Diagnostics - ( For example, if you must take samples of the brain, a gunshot or penetrating captive bolt might be less appropriate.)
Examples of types of euthanasia:
1. Captive bolt
2. Gunshot
3. Chemical
4. Exsanguination (bleeding out, slitting the neck veins or the main artery in the abdomen)
Captive Bolt - There are penetrating and non-penetrating captive bolt guns. With the penetrating captive bolt, there is some brain damage whereas, with the non-penetrating the animal is only stunned. However, with both types of guns the animal will still have respiratory function and have sudden movement of the limbs. Therefore, the additional use of chemicals or exsanguination must be used to cause death of an animal when using a captive bolt gun.
Proper placement of the captive bolt gun is firmly against the skull of the animal at an imaginary point between the eyes. To visualize this point, imagine two lines connecting the inner point of the eye (next to the nose) to the base of the horn, or top of the base of the ear, on the opposite side of the head. Where the two lines cross is the correct point of placement for the gun.

[ندعوك للتسجيل في المنتدى أو التعريف بنفسك لمعاينة هذه الصورة]

Proper restraint must be used with any captive bolt gun.
Gunshot - Like the penetrating captive bolt gun, a gunshot will cause immediate tissue damage , if done properly. A .22 caliber long rifle should be sufficient for most cows, however, a 9mm round or .22 magnum will need to be used on mature bulls.
The gun needs to be positioned 2 to 10 inches away from the animal's skull. The bullet must be aimed at the same point as the captive bolt gun and perpendicular to the skull to prevent ricochet.
The use of a rifle is inexpensive and does not require close contact to the animal. However, only skillful individuals who understand the proper use of the firearm should use this method. Be sure that local law allows for use of firearms within your area and observe all rules of firearm safety.
Chemical - Intravenous sodium pentobarbital may be used to cause death in an animal, but this is a controlled substance and can only be used by a licensed veterinarian with a permit. Potassium chloride solution can also be used, but the animal must first be rendered unconscious.
Exsanguination - Cutting a major vessel in the animal will also cause death but, like chemicals, must only be used on unconscious animals. Exsanguination can be accomplished by cutting the carotid arteries in the neck or the aorta rectally. Rectal exsanguination will cause pooling of blood in the abdomen, making it difficult to perform a necropsy.
You should always check to make sure the animal is dead before performing any procedures. The best way is to monitor the animal for any breathing and heart beats for 5 minutes after euthanasia.

For further information, contact your veterinarian or review "Practical Euthanasia of Cattle. Considerations for the Producer, Livestock Operator, Livestock Transporter, and Veterinarian" brochure put out by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners.

الحاجات بيعملوها فى المجازر
ولا أيه