University Animal Care Committee Standard Operating Procedure
Document No: 7.5.3
Subject: Euthanasia Method for Adult Rodents via Overdose of Inhalant Anaesthesia
Date Issued: August 21, 2012
Revision: 2
Location: Queen鈥檚 University
Responsibility: Principal Investigators (PI), Research Staff, Veterinary Staff
Purpose: The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to describe the procedure for the euthanasia of adult rodents using overdose of inhalant anaesthesia.
1. Introduction and Definitions:
As per the UACC policy on euthanasia of animals used in science, overdose of inhalant anesthesia is an acceptable method of euthanasia for adult rodents when conducted properly.
Abbreviations:
Animal Care Services ACS, Principal Investigator PI, subcutaneous SC, intravenous IV, intraperitoneal IP, intramuscular IM, per os PO, per rectum PR
2. Materials:
- Calibrated inhalant isoflurane anaesthetic vaporizer with anaesthetic induction chamber
- Oxygen
- Instruments for secondary method (e.g. scissors, cage card holder)
3. Procedures:
- Anesthetic chambers should not be overloaded and need to be kept clean to minimize odors that might distress the next animal euthanized.
- The anesthetic can be introduced at a high concentration from a vaporizer of an anesthetic machine connected to an adequate scavenging system or air filter.
- Sufficient room air or O2 must be provided during the induction period to prevent hypoxemia.
- Neonatal animals (up to 10 days of age) are resistant to the hypoxia induced by high anesthetic gas concentrations, therefore, alternative methods are
- recommended. Inhalant anesthetics may be used for narcosis of neonatal animals provided it is followed by a secondary method of euthanasia (e.g. decapitation using sharp blades).
- To confirm death, monitor animal for the following signs: no chest movement, no palpable heartbeat, poor mucous membrane colour, no response to toe pinch, colour change or opacity in eyes.
Note: A physical method of euthanasia such as cervical dislocation, bilateral pneumothorax, heart snip or exsanguination is required (unless otherwise justified in the animal use protocol) before disposal to ensure death.
, Volume 45, Number 1, January 2006, pp. 98-105(8) James Artwohl, Patricia Brown, Brian Corning and Susan Stein Report of the ACLAM Task Force on Rodent Euthanasia
| Date | New Version |
|---|---|
| 08/21/2012 | Original SOP created |
| 02/28/2019 | Review and update |
| 02/28/2022 | Triennial review |
| 01/23/2023 | Removed bell jar method, removed neonate and fetus, updated format. |