Exotic Animal Formulary5

Carbon
monoxide
(CO)
Minimum 6% Causes rapid unconsciousness; inexpensive; 69
concentration conditionally acceptable method of euthanasia by
in a closed AVMA if used properly 8
container 8,140
Inhalant
anesthetics
(ex.,
isoflurane,
sevoflurane)
Nitrogen
Saturated cotton
ball in closed
container or
face mask; 130a,140
high
concentrations
(5% or more)
using
vaporizer are
preferred 8
100% gas
exposure 8
Rapid induction; wing flapping and vocalizing may
occur, less tissue damage compared with other
methods; 88,135 conditionally acceptable by AVMA as
a sole method of euthanasia if high concentrations
used and safety considerations to personnel
followed; 8 can also be used to render birds
unconscious prior to other methods of
euthanasia 8,127
Conditionally acceptable method of euthanasia by
AVMA if used properly
Pentobarbital
sodium
Potassium
chloride
0.2-1 mL/kg IV 8 Acceptable method by AVMA to give IV either
conscious or unconscious (under anesthesia);
conditionally acceptable method to give
intraosseous or intracoelomically only if
unconscious or under anesthesia; unacceptable to
administer IM due to the low pH, which causes
pain; 8,129 birds may react unpredictably with IV
administration 8
1-2 mmol/kg IV 8,17 Conditionally acceptable method by AVMA to give IV
only if unconscious or under anesthesia 8
a
The 2013 AVMA Guidelines for Euthanasia state that methods regarded as “Acceptable with
Conditions” are equivalent to “Acceptable” methods of euthanasisa. 8 The AVMA acceptable method is
administering a pentobarbital euthanasia solution IV in either an awake or unconscious bird. The AVMA
conditionally acceptable methods include inhalant anesthetic overdose, argon, nitrogen, CO, CO 2 ,
cervical dislocation, decapitation, KCl, gunshot, and exsanguination as long as the conditions are met. 8
587