Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and ...

Physical methods of euthanasia (e.g., penetratingcaptive-bolt devices for large animals) may be used. Everyattempt should be made to minimize stress to theanimal before euthanasia. Personnel must be trained onthe proper use of the captive bolt per species, and thecaptive bolt device must be appropriately maintained.Electrocution is an acceptable means of euthanasiaif the electrodes are placed so that the current travelsthrough the brain and through the heart. Methods inwhich the current is directed through the heart only arenot acceptable (www.grandin.com). It is imperative toensure that the animal is indeed dead (i.e., no heartbeatand no possibility of recovery). Techniques thatapply electric current from head to tail, head to foot,or head to moistened metal plates on which the animalis standing are unacceptable (AVMA, 2007).Agents that result in tissue residues cannot be usedfor euthanasia of animals intended for human or animalfood unless those agents are approved by the FDA.Carbon dioxide is the only chemical currently used foreuthanasia of food animals (primarily swine and poultry)that does not lead to tissue residues. The carcassesof animals euthanized by barbiturates may contain potentiallyharmful residues and should be disposed of ina manner that prevents them from being consumed byhuman beings or animals.No matter what method of euthanasia is performed,personnel must ensure that death has occurred. Assuranceof death may include ascertaining the absence ofheartbeat and respiration, lack of corneal or other reflexes,and lack of physical movement. Personnel shouldbe trained on how to assure death in animals.Humane SlaughterSlaughter of animals entering the human food chainmust be accomplished in compliance with regulationspromulgated under the federal Humane Methods ofSlaughter Act (9 CFR. 313.1–90; CFR, 1987). Theseregulations outline the requirements for the humanetreatment of livestock before and during slaughter(http://www.animallaw.info/administrative/adus9cfr313.htm).The Food Safety and Inspection Service isthe agency within the USDA responsible for ensuringcompliance with this Act.When stunning is used during slaughter, stunningmust be done appropriately and effectively. Allequipment for stunning must be properly maintained,and personnel performing stunning must be properlytrained, including instruction in assessing insensibility.AGRICULTURAL ANIMAL HEALTH CAREThe use of carbon dioxide alone or in combination withother gaseous inhalants remains controversial.REFERENCESAmerican College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM). 2004.Public Statements: Medical records for animals used in research,teaching and testing. http://www.aclam.org/aclam_public.html.AVMA. 2007. Guidelines on Euthanasia. http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/euthanasia.pdfBrown, M. J., P. T. Pearson, and F. N. Tomson. 1993. Guidelinesfor animal surgery in research and teaching. Am. J. Vet. Res.54:1544–1559.Canadian Council on Animal Care. 1980. Guide to the Care andUse of Experimental Animals. Vol. 1. Can. Counc. Anim. Care,Ottawa, ON, Canada.CFR. 1987. Title 21 CFR Parts 511 and 514. US Govt. Printing Office.Washington, DC.FDA. 2008. Animal Cloning: A Risk Assessment, FDA, 2008.http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/AnimalCloning/UCM124756.pdfFDA. 2009. FDA Guidance 187: Guidance for Industry on Regulationof Genetically Engineered Animals Containing HeritableRecombinant DNA Constructs; Availability. Docket No. FDA-2008-D-0394. Fed. Regist. 74(11):3057–3058.Field, K., M. Bailey, L. Foresman, R. Harris, S. Motzel, R. Rockar,G. Ruble, and M. Suckow. 2007. Medical Records for Animalsused in Research, Teaching and Testing: Public Statement fromthe American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. ILARJ. 48:37–41.Grandin, T. 1983a. Design of ranch corrals and squeeze chutes forcattle. Pages 5251.1–5251.6 in Great Plains Beef Cattle Handbook.Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma State University,Stillwater.Grandin, T. 1983b. Welfare requirements of handling facilities. Pages137–149 in Farm Animal Housing and Welfare. S. H. Baxter,M. R. Baxter, and J. A. G. McCormack, ed. Martinus Nijhoff,Boston, MA.ILAR Guide. 1996. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National ResearchCouncil. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.Lucke, J. N. 1979. Euthanasia in small animals. Vet. Rec. 104:316–318.Radostits, O. M., D. C. Blood, and C. C. Gay. 1994. VeterinaryMedicine. 8th ed. Baillière Tindall, London, UK.Upson, D. W. 1985. Handbook of Clinical Veterinary Pharmacology.2nd ed. Veterinary Medicine Publ., Lenexa, KS.Van Sambeek, F., B. L. McMurray, and R. K. Page. 1995. Incidenceof Pasteurella multocida in poultry house cats used for rodentcontrol programs. Avian Dis. 39:145–146.Van’t Woudt, B. D. 1990. Roaming, stray, and feral domestic catsand dogs as wildlife problems. Vertebrate Pest Conference ProceedingsCollection. University of Nebraska, Lincoln.Vantassel, S., S. Hygnstrom, and D. Ferraro. 2005. Controlling housemice. NebGuide, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Instituteof Agriculture and Natural resources. University of Nebraska,Lincoln.15