Newsflash |
Goat T-shirts GetYerGoat.com is the internet's largest and most popular place to find goat t-shirts and gifts for goat lovers We have over 4000 goat gifts from which to choose.
Important! Please Read This Notice!
All information provided in these articles is based either on personal experience or information provided by others whose treatments and practices have been discussed fully with a vet for accuracy and effectiveness before passing them on to readers.
In all cases, it is your responsibility to obtain veterinary services and advice before using any of the information provided in these articles. We are not veterinarians. Neither Goat-Link.com nor any of the contributors to this website will be held responsible for the use of any information contained herein. PLEASE keep in mind, just because there is a DVM after the name does not mean they have the proper answers for goat owners 'Caveat emptor'- You need to find a responsible GOAT Vet
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emergency Euthanasia Goats |
|
|
Written by Administrator-GL
|
Wednesday, 09 July 2008 |
Emergency Euthanasia of Sheep & Goats UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Extension
"One of the most difficult decisions a person may make is
when to end an animal's life. Many of these decisions must be
made in very stressful and less-than-ideal situations. We hope
that this booklet can help make that decision the best one
possible for both the animal and the owner. With a true
appreciation of life comes the responsibility of ensuring a
humane death." —Pam Hullinger, DVM, and Carolyn Stull,
PhD |
|
Introduction
Catastrophic accidents and illness affecting animals can happen at any
time. This may necessitate that an animal's life be ended humanely. This
guide is designed to aid owners, producers, auction market employees,
livestock transporters, and law enforcement officers in making the
appropriate decisions regarding the emergency euthanasia of sheep and
goats. It is always best to seek assistance from a veterinarian when
considering euthanasia. However, in some circumstances a veterinarian may
not be read ily available. It will be in the animal's best interest to
provide a swift and humane death to prevent or minimize suffering. These
guidelines are a summary of the current, best practices known for
providing a humane death for sheep and goats in the absence of a
veterinarian.
Situations that may require emergency euthanasia:
• |
Road accidents |
• |
Injuries in transit |
• |
Injuries in auction yards or sale barns |
• |
Severe injury or disease on the farm |
• |
Natural or man-made disasters (such as flood, fire or
earthquake) | |
There are three acceptable mechanisms for inducing emergency euthanasia in
sheep and goats:
• |
Drugs that directly depress the central nervous
system (barbiturates, anesthetics). Overdoses lead to depression of the
respiratory centers (the animal stops breathing) and cardiac arrest (the
heart stops beating). |
• |
Physical or functional destruction of brain tissue vital
for life (e.g., gunshot, penetrating captive bolt gun, and
electrocution). |
• |
Methods that induce unconsciousness (stunning with a
non-penetrating captive bolt gun) followed by exsanguination (massive
blood loss). |
Euthanasia is defined as "the intentional causing of a
painless and easy death to a patient suffering from an incurable or
painful disease."
Webster's II University Dictionary, 1996 |
The Euthanasia Decision
Emergency euthanasia should be performed when there will be an unacceptable
delay in treating the condition, the source of the pain or disease is incurable,
or when transportation of the animal would significantly aggravate the
condition. There may be t imes when none of these situations are clearly
present. If you are in doubt, contact a veterinarian; however, if you can not
obtain veterinary assistance, the following are some examples of situations that
indicate euthanasia may be necessary to end exc essive suffering:
• |
Violent or self-destructive thrashing (Is the
animal a hazard to itself or others?) |
• |
Evidence of severe shock (animal is unconscious) |
• |
Exposed abdominal organs |
• |
Open fractures of a long bone (leg bones below the shoulder
or the hip) |
Location
When practical, choose a location where the carcass can be easily reached by
removal equipment. Remember not to cause any further pain or unnecessary
suffering in this handling process.
Considerations in the Selection of a Euthanasia Method
The following information should be considered when choosing the
appropriate method of euthanasia:
Human Safety The method should not put anyone at unnecessary
risk. Ricochet of a bullet and/or the unpredictability of a falling or
thrashing animal should be considered.
Animal Welfare All methods of euthanasia should produce a
quick and painless death. However, certain environments or animal
behaviors may prevent the use of a specific method.
Restraint Each method requires a differing amount of
restraint. For example, administration of barbiturate or use of a captive
bolt gun requires physical contact with the animal, whereas a firearm does
not.
Practicality The euthanasia method selected must be practical
in the emergency situation that currently exists. For example, the
necessary equipment must be readily available, and one must realize that
barbiturates are only available to licensed veterinarians.
Skill All methods require some degree of skill or training to
administer correctly. Animal owners in remote locations, auction market
employees, livestock transporters, and law enforcement personnel should be
aware of, and appropriately trained in, at least o ne emergency euthanasia
method.
Cost Some methods require a larger initial investment (e.g.,
firearms and penetrating captive bolt gun) but are relatively inexpensive
to use thereafter.
Aesthetics Some methods of euthanasia "appear" less
objectionable to the untrained eye. Most methods will result in some
exaggerated muscular activity (e.g., leg movements and twitching) even
when the animal is not experiencing any pain or distress.
|
Summary of Sheep and Goat Euthanasia Methods
Method |
Human Safety |
Animal Welfare |
Skill |
Required Cost |
Aesthetics |
Considerations |
Gunshot |
Moderate; firearm laws apply |
Good |
Moderate; correct placement essential |
Low; after initial purchase |
Fair; some blood and body movement |
Distance from animal can be maintained |
Penetrating Captive Bolt Gun |
Good |
Good |
Moderate; correct placement essential |
Low; after initial purchase |
Fair; some blood and body movement |
Contact with animal required |
Barbiturate Overdose |
Good |
Excellent |
Moderate; intravenous injections required |
High |
Good |
Drug only available to licensed veterinarian |
Exsanguination |
Fair |
Good; animal must already be unconscious |
Moderate |
Low |
Poor; very bloody |
Not sole method of euthanasia |
Electrocution |
Moderate to poor |
Good; only if specialized equipment is used |
Moderate |
Low; after initial purchase |
Fair; some body movement |
Electricity required |
All methods require proper operator training, appropriate equipment, and good
restraint. When all these factors are maximized, the risk of injury to the
operator is minimized.
Details of Euthanasia Methods
Gunshot
A .22-caliber long rifle, 9mm or .38-caliber gun can be used. The muzzle of
the gun should be held at least 4 to 10 inches (10-25 cm) away from the skull
when fired. The use of hollow-point or soft-nose bullets will increase brain
tissue destruction an d reduce the chance of ricochet. When performed
skillfully, euthanasia by gunshot induces immediate unconsciousness, is
inexpensive, and does not require close contact with the animal. All humans and
other animals should remain well out of the line of fire.
This method should only be attempted by individuals trained in the use of
firearms and who understand the potential for ricochet. Care must be taken to
minimize danger to the operator, observers, and other animals. Personnel must
comply with all laws a nd regulations governing the possession and use of
firearms. Be aware that firearm laws vary depending on state and local
regulations.
Penetrating Captive Bolt Gun
When properly used, the penetrating
captive bolt gun produces immediate brain tissue destruction that kills the
animal. Captive bolts are powered by gunpowder, thus the selection of the
cartridge strength should be appropriate for the size of the animal (i.e., adult
vs. kids or lambs). Cartridge strength varies, so be sure to follow the
manufacturer's recommendations. The penetrating captive bolt gun should be
placed very firmly against the skull at the same location previously described
for gunshot. Animals must be adequately restrained to ensure proper placement of
the captive bolt.
Maintenance and cleaning of the penetrating captive bolt gun, as described by
the manufacturer, must be followed to ensure proper operation.
Polled (hornless)
Sheep |
|
The proper site
is either: (A) on midline, at the highest point of the head, aiming
straight down toward the angle of the jaw, or (B) on midline, in the
middle of the forehead, just above the level of the eyes, aiming down
along the angle of the neck. |
Horned Sheep |
|
The proper site
is either: (B) on midline, in the middle of the forehead, just above
the level of the eyes, aiming down along the angle of the neck, or (C) on
midline, just behind the bony ridge between the horns, aimed toward the
back of the chin. |
Goats |
|
The proper site
is: (D) on midline, just behind the bony ridge where the horns
protrude, aimed toward the back of the chin. Note: Kids (less than 4
months of age) may be shot from the front as for sheep
(B). |
Barbiturate Overdose
When properly administered by the intravenous route, barbiturate overdose
(sodium pentobarbital) depresses the central nervous system, causing deep
anesthesia that results in respiratory and cardiac arrest. This method of
euthanasia results in minimal p ain (needle puncture) sensation. Barbiturate
overdose is less disturbing to observers (i.e., more aesthetically acceptable)
but also more expensive than other options. It is also illegal for a
non-veterinarian to possess injectable euthanasia produc ts.
After barbiturate overdose, the carcass of the animal will be unfit for human
or animal consumption. Keep in mind that house pets and wildlife that ingest
portions of the carcass can be poisoned.
Exsanguination (massive blood loss)
This method can be used to ensure death immediately following stunning,
induction of anesthesia, or unconsciousness. Because severe anxiety is
associated with the hypoxia (lack of oxygen) caused by exsanguination, it must
not be used as the sole method of euthanasia. The most common method is to
lacerate the carotid arteries and jugular veins on both sides of the neck. A
long, sharp knife is fully inserted in the upper one third of the neck behind
the angle of the jaw and directed toward the spinal c olumn through the trachea,
until bone is contacted. Successful severance of the carotids can be recognized
by freely flowing, pulsing blood. This procedure is very disturbing to observers
due to the large volume of blood loss.
Electrocution
Properly conducted electrocution induces immediate unconsciousness and death
by cardiac arrest. One electrode is placed on either the forehead or in the
hollow behind the ear and the other electrode is placed on the back or side of
the body. "Head-only " electric stunning devices result in a reversible
unconsciousness and should not be used as the sole means of euthanasia. For
humane and safety reasons, only a commercially designed device should be used.
Proper restraint equipment is required to corr ectly position the electrodes.
Because electricity and specialized equipment are necessary, this method is
practical in a very limited number of emergency situations.
Confirmation of Death
Confirmation of death is essential. Immediately following the
euthanasia method, a standing animal should collapse and may experience a period
of muscle contraction (usually no longer than 20 seconds). This will be followed
by a period of relaxa tion and some poorly coordinated kicking or paddling
movements. The pupils of the eyes should be totally dilated. The animal must be
monitored for five minutes to confirm death. Death may be confirmed by the
absence of breathing, a heartbeat, and a co rneal reflex (blinking response). To
check a corneal reflex, touch the animal's cornea (surface of the eye); there
should be no response to the touch if the animal is deceased. The presence of
any eye movement or blinking at this time is evidence of su stained or
recovering brain activity and the individual should repeat the same or an
alternative euthanasia procedure.
Unacceptable Methods of Sheep &
Goat Euthanasia |
Ethical and humane standards of euthanasia DO NOT permit the following
methods of euthanasia for sheep and goats:
• Manually applied blunt trauma to the head.
• Injection of chemical agents into conscious animals (e.g.,
disinfectants, certain electrolytes such as KCl, non-anesthetic
pharmaceutical agents).
• Air embolism (e.g., the injection of a large amount of air into the
circulatory system).
• Electrocution with a 120-volt electrical cord.
|
Carcass Disposal
Animal carcasses should be disposed of promptly by a commercial rendering
service or other appropriate means (on-farm burial, incineration, direct haul to
a solid waste land fill). Disposal should be in accordance with all federal,
state, and local regu lations.
Euthanasia Plan
Owners and producers should work with their veterinarian to determine which
methods of euthanasia might be suitable in their management system. It is
advisable to post the written emergency euthanasia plan in a centralized area as
a guideline for the hu mane destruction of animals on the premises. The plan
should be reviewed with new employees.
Euthanasia Action Plan
Business Name: ________________________________
Veterinarian Name & Phone: ________________________________
Rendering or Disposal Service: ________________________________
Date: ________________________________
Drafted By: _________________________________
Phase of
Production |
Euthanasia Method of
Choice |
Alternative Method
of Euthanasia |
Kids (goats) or Lambs (less than 4 months) |
|
|
Sheep or Goats (adult) |
|
| |
Additional Humane Euthanasia Information from Ontario Ministry of Agricultural Food and Rural Affairs