NVS Rabies MODULE 5f : HUMANE EUTHANASIA OF DOGS

TOPIC Humane Euthanasia of dogs.

Sometimes it is necessary to euthanize dogs in the course of the work carried

out to control rabies. This can be the case of a highly suspect animal or an
animal that is too sick or injured to recover. The guidelines for this are covered
in the SOP “criteria for Euthanasia”. It is important that internationally
recognized humane methods are used to minimize the suffering of the dog. In
Vietnam, the module will need to discover what is available locally.
BACKGROUND
Strychnine, although quick, causes much suffering to the dog and is not to be
used unless there is no Pentobarbitone and the dog has been fully
anaesthetised with Ketamine and Xylazine first. In this module you will be
taught how to anaesthetize and humanely euthanize the dog with
Pentobarbitone.

Participants will be able to understand the criteria for euthanizing an animal

and to humanely euthanize dogs according to recognised rules of animal
welfare.
GENERAL
OBJECTIVE

1. SOP criteria for humane euthanasia of dogs.

2. How to euthanize animals
3. How to responsibly use the anaesthetic drugs for humane euthanasia.
Subtopic
4. Understanding of the correct drugs to use for humane euthanasia
5. Follow-up actions after euthanasia of dogs

Learning Participants will be able to handle the situation professionally in the field to
Objectives
restrain, and euthanize animals according to the SOPs on criteria and
techniques for humane euthanasia.

1. Interactive presentation
Methods
2. Demonstration
3. Class Discussion
4. Practice.
 Media, Tools  Standard stationery
and Materials
 Euthanasia Kits: 1 bottle each of ketamine, Xylozine, pentabarbitone,
(including the manufacturers documentation) stethoscope, syringes and
needles
 PPE (gloves, apron, mask, goggles) 1 set for each person
 Hand outs: copy of SOPs on humane euthanasia; tables to calculate
dosage; picture of venous system of dog, leaflets from the euthanasia
drugs.
 Sufficient dogs and puppies for all participants to practice handling and
finding the vein (4 dogs).

Duration
90 Minutes

Session 1. Session 2. Session 3.

Introduction Introduction to Strychnine &
Session Flow and Session humane euthanasia Pentobarbitone
Flow
class discussion Explanation &
(15 minutes) discussion

Session 6.
Sample Session 5.
Euthanasia Session 4. drugs for
submission anesthesia and
methods
humane euthanasia.
Explanation &
discussion Interactive
presentation Interactive presentation &
class discussion
(10 minutes)

Session 7. Practical

Working with dogs

(40 minutes)

Session 1: Introduction & background of session

 Open the session with an introduction and explain the topic of
humane euthanasia.
 Explain the session flow and time allocation using the session
flow on the flip charts, which was prepared earlier.
Facilitation
Process Session 2: Introduction of humane euthanasia.
Key points:
 HE is only carried out by following clear criteria
 HE stops the virus from spreading by removing rabid dogs from
the environment.
 Suspect rabid dogs etc should be euthanized in a way that
complies with animal welfare, does not contaminate the
environment and protects the euthaniser.

1. Brainstorm participants through following questions.

a. What is euthanasia? Why should it be carried out humanely?
b. What are the methods of humane euthanasia?
c. Why are anaesthetics and Pentobarbitone recommended?
d. What are environmental and human safety aspects of euthanasia?

Tip:
 Direct their answers towards minimizing the animal's suffering prior to death.
“humane euthanasia?” means to die humanely usually means to die without
suffering, or to die without feeling pain.
 For Vietnam find out if there are animal welfare laws.
 Also the safety of the operator must be ensured and the environment must
not be contaminated (ie strychinine or brain matter).
 Killing a dog with sticks or shooting it may distribute brain matter in the
environment putting other animals or people at risk.

2. Ask the participants “Under what circumstances should you carry out
euthanasia on an animal?”
3. Write down all answers from participants.
4. Give the participants the SOP on the criteria for euthanasia and discuss
each criteria linking them to the points that the participants have already
given. Ask why each criteria is included?. Ask why unvaccinated dogs
bitten by a suspect dog should be euthanized?
Tip:
a. Probe for: when the animal is a highly suspect rabid animal, unvaccinated dog
that has been bitten by a highly suspect animal, animals that are too sick to
recover.
b. Discuss the issue of roaming and un-owned dogs. This is a sensitive issue but
must be addressed according to national SOPs. A roaming dog should not be
euthanized just because it is stray or not owned as it is better to vaccinate it and
let it work against rabies.
c. Any unvaccinated animal bitten by a suspect rabid dog may develop rabies. If
theses animals have not been vaccinated, they should be euthanized as it is too
much of a risk to leave them in the community.
d. The puppies of a highly suspect or confirmed rabid dog should be euthanized
e. Any domestic animal bitten by a rabid dog should be euthanized.

6. Ask what you should do about domestic animals bitten by a highly suspect
animal.
Tip: Probe for the fact that they are likely to become rabid after the incubation period.
The animal should be slaughtered immediately and then you can eat the meat; this is
the best option for the farmer as the meat cannot be consumed once the symptoms of
rabies appear.

7. Ask participants that what are the correct tools and drugs needed for
humane euthanasia?

8. Write down all the answers on the flip chart and add anything that is
needed.

Tip for Facilitator: Probe for: humane drugs, catching nets, syringes and needles,
stethoscope, PPE, trained teams.

Session 3: Drugs for anaesthesia and humane euthanasia

Key points:
 Before euthanizing the dog put it under a high level of sedation
 Pentobarbitone is used to kill the dog humanely

1. Ask the participants how they usually kill suspect rabid dogs in
Vietnam? Brainstorm the answers and discuss the different methods
with respect to safety of the environment and the operator and if it is
really humane.

2. Ask if there are any drugs available in Vietnam for HE. IF not, ask how
vets perform operations on owned dogs and use these as the example
as they will likely be sedatives.

3. Briefly ask the participants about the working principles of these drugs
to refresh their memories on drugs' pharmacology.

4. Discuss all answers and write down on the flipchart.

Tip for facilitator: the function of Xylazine and Ketamine are sedative drugs use for
surgery and other operation. In case of humane euthanasia, these are use as pre-
medication sedative, while Pentobarbitone is used to kill dog humanely .

5. Ask the participantshow they calculate the suitable dosage for different
dog weights, based on the information given on the injection bottle.
Remind them that it doesn’t matter if they over-estimate the dosage as
the dog is not expected to wake up!
6. Give them practice estimating the weight of tame dogs later in the
training
Tip for facilitator: Will learn how to estimate weigh during practical session.
Photocopy the leaflets on all drugs and give a copy to each participant; ask one
volunteer to read for participants.

Session 4. Strychnine & Pentobarbitone:

Key Points:
 Strychnine is inhumane as it suffocates the dog
 Pentobarbitone anaethetises the animal and it dies from cardiac
arrest.

1. Tell the participants that we are going to use as an example the

difference between Strychnine and Pantobarbitone. Ask them “Which
is more humane: strychnine or pentobarbitone?”

Explain the following, by asking questions to see how much they already know.
1. The difference between strychnine and pentobarbitone
 Strychnine is a potent paralyzing agent derived from seeds of the
Strychnos nux vomica tree.
 Pentobarbitone is a short-acting barbiturate. Barbiturates are a class
of anesthetic drugs used to depress the central nervous system.

2. The mechanism of action

 Mechanism of action for strychnine: strychnine attacks the motor
neurons in the spinal cord which control muscle contraction in all
vertebrate animals, including birds and mammals. It blocks the
muscle contraction inhibitor, the nerve is unable to stop the muscles of
the body from contracting. Thus it results in a “rigid paralysis” by
causing all the muscles of the body to continuously contract and never
relax.

 Mechanism of action for pentobarbitone: all barbiturates work by by

depressing the central nervous system is said to be depressed or
slowed down. Pentobarbital is short-acting inhibitor which can rapidly
depress the central nervous system.
3. The mechanism of death
Mechanism of death for strychnine: asphyxiation (suffocation). An
animal or human will die after given strychnine because the all the
muscles of the chest and stomach will contract and cramp, leaving the
victim unable to inhale. Unable to breathe, the animal will eventually die
from lack of oxygen. Has anyone seen this?

 Mechanism of death for pentobabitone: When given in a sufficient dose

intravenously, pentobarbital will rapidly cause the central nervous
system to become depressed and enter a deep plane of anesthesia.
The level of central nervous system depression will continue to increase
until cerebral death (brain death) occurs. When brain death, occurs, the
brain is no longer able to control the circulatory or respiratory systems.
The animal then dies from cardiac arrest after the brain stops
functioning.

2. Ask again which is the more humane for euthanizing dogs;

pentobarbitone or strychnine? Note the answers and ask for reasons.
Expand the discussion using the information below.

3. Ask the participants to imagine that they were the dog in question. Ask
the participants if they have ever been in a situation where they couldn’t
breathe. Have any of them felt the panic associated with this? So dying
from strychnine would be like drowning or being strangled and unable
to move to do anything about it. Very scary.

4. Ask the participants if any of them have had an anaesthetic and tell
what they remember of the experience. General anaesthesia is used so
that surgeons can perform painful procedures and there is usually no
memory of pain or discomfort from the procedure. So the experience
for the dog when it dies under pentobarbitone is calm as the animal is
under very deep general anaesthesia, is completely unconscious and
unable to experience any pain.
 5. To look at this more scientifically: the best physiological indicator is
heart rate; when the body experiences pain, the heart rate rapidly
increases. When the body is relaxed and stress-free, the heart rate is
low. So heart rate can be a physiological indicator of pain and stress.

6. When given strychnine, initially the heart rate is normal, but as the
paralysis sets in, the heart rapidly increases. When the animal begins
to suffocate, the heart rate is at maximum and stays at maximum until
the animal dies. On the other hand, when given pentobarbital, the
animal heart rate gradually decreases as it goes through the planes of
anaesthesia (see tips). The heart then becomes very slow for a short
period and eventually stops.

7. Ask the participants, which method is humane and why?

.
Tips if further information is required by the participants
Planes of anesthesia
 Anesthesia progresses to stages commonly referred to as “planes” or levels.
The common levels are “light plane” of anesthesia, “surgical plane” of
anesthesia, and “deep plane” of anesthesia. The deeper the anesthesia, the
deeper the level of central nervous system depression. The goal of a surgeon
is to get the patient into the surgical plane of anesthesia. The surgical plane of
anesthesia is the level of anesthesia where the central nervous system is
depressed to the point of being unconscious and unable to experience pain
 Ask: “ How do we know if the patient is unable to experience pain? A: No
change in the heart rate when a painful procedure is performed)”, but not so
deep that the basic body functions (i.e. heart rate and breathing) are not also
depressed.
 When under the deep plane of anesthesia, basic bodily functions begin to be
depressed, which puts the patient’s life at risk. It is noted by a decreasing
heart rate and breathing rate despite painful procedures being performed. The
important thing to remember is that you can’t get to the deep plane without first
going to the light plane and surgical plane, just like you can’t get to the third
floor, without first passing the first and second floors.
 This means, that when we use pentobarbital to euthanize a dog, we can be
sure that the dog is first passing through planes of progressively decreasing
pain perception and consciousness and must be at the deep plane of
anesthesia before cardiac arrest starts occurring.
Session 4. Euthanasia methods for dogs and follow-up actions
1. Ask participants if anybody among them has experience in the humane
euthanasia procedure. Ie as a private vet. If so, ask them to describe the
procedure.
2. Hand out the SOP on procedures of humane euthanasia. Go through the
 steps below from the SOP.

EUTHANASIA METHOD

1) If the dog is calm and without symptoms of rabies use Pentobarbitone

immediately.

2) If the dog is showing any clinical signs of rabies, or is injured or aggressive,

sedate the dog first as shown below.

3) Estimate the weight of the dog (estimate by judging- from practice your
guess will be accurate)

4) Heavily sedate dogs to be euthanized using mixture of Xylazine 20mg/ml

& Ketamine 100mg/ml in a 1:1 solution. Follow dose rates according to
the tables below (Example: For a 10kg dog, draw up 1ml of Xylazine and
1ml of Ketamine into the same 3ml syringe with either 21G or 23G needle
attached and give through the net IM either in rear leg or back. Insert the
needle exactly perpendicular to the skin).

5) Wait 10 minutes until the animal is sedated; estimate this by checking with
a stethoscope that the heart rate has slowed down. ( Tip: Normal heart rate
is Large dog bread :60-100/ minutes and small breed 100-140 / minutes)

6) a. If not enough sedation within 10 minutes, give a second injection of

another 1/2 dose IM. Wait until the dog is anaesthetized. Then give
Pentobarbitone (e.g. Lethabarb, Euthatal) at mg/10kg bodyweight
intravenously (see tables below)

Xylazine (2mg/kg) + Ketamine (10mg/kg):

Weight (Kg) Xylazine 20mg/ml Ketamine 100mg/ml
1 0.1ml 0.1ml
5 0.5ml 0.5ml
10 1.0ml 1.0ml
 15 1.5ml 1.5ml
20 2.0ml 2.0ml

Pentobarbitone (Lethobarb or Valabarb) IV 20mg/ml

Weight (Kg) Lethobarb (1ml/2kg) Valabarb (2ml/5kg)
1 0.5ml 0.4ml
5 2.5ml 2ml
10 5ml 4ml
15 7.5ml 6ml
20 1.0ml 8ml

8. If pentobarbitone is not available. Inject IM double dose of Xylazine

20mg/ml & Ketamine 100mg/ml and wait for 15 minutes.
9. Check heart beat by using stethoscope, if still you find heart beat
active give strychnine injection iv.
Tip for facilitator:
Use a 21 - 23 gauge by 1 inch needle for IV. Give the correct dose, as shown
above, via the cephalic or saphaneous vein. If the dog was previously sedated you
may have to use intra-cardiac administration because the veins may have
collapsed. Intra-cardiac Pentobarbitone is only allowed if the animal is
anaesthetized and peripheral veins are not accessible. Use a 21 gauge by 1 1/2 inch
needle.

7. Ask a volunteer to explain which vein should be chosen for injection

spot. What is the name of that particular vein?

Tip for facilitator: Use big poster of dog showing venous system. If not available show
the PowerPoint to display the anatomical picture of the saphenous veins (femoral
veins) and Jugular vein.

8. When should they use intra-cardiac injection and how should they do it?
Tip: Intracardiac pentobarbitone is only allowed if the animal is anaesthetised and
peripheral veins are not accessible. Use a 21 gauge by 1 1/2 inch needle.

9. Animals must be confirmed dead before burial/bagging by a veterinarian.

10. Ask the participants how they can confirm that the dog is dead?

Tip: Probe for absence of corneal reflex (tap the cornea of eye; if no movement the
dog is dead), heartbeat and respiration (using a stethoscope) search for pulse (using
the femoral artery).

11. Ask them what should they do next when the dog has been confirmed
 dead? Don’t forget that if the animal is suspected to be rabid, the head
should be removed and sent to the DIC.

Tip: If the dog was showing signs of rabies, remove the head by decapitation by
cutting between the skull and first vertebrae (atlanto occipital junction). Protective
clothing should be worn. Chill the head in a cold box and send the head to the BBV
and fill sample submission form. Report results to the community.
The animal should be buried and any biological material removed from the site and
buried r burned. This should be supervised by the team leader.
.

Session 6: Specimen collection & submission

Start session by asking “Why do you need to take a sample from a suspect
dog, what sample should be taken and how?
Tip The dog can be examined clinically and a diagnosis of rabies can be made but
this can only be confirmed when the head is examined by the lab. The information is
needed for the community to know if there is a rabies outbreak and for the victims of
dog bites to know if they should continue the VAR. all high and medium unvaccinated
suspect dogs should be euthanized and the heads taken.
Steps in sample collection:

Key points:
 Whole head should be sent to the lab
 Container should be labelled correctly
 Un-refridgerated heads still show good result 24 hours after the
dog has died

1. ask how rabies samples are submitted in Vietnam. Go through the

process and ensure that all the steps below are followed.

a. Show on a live dog or diagram where the atlanco occipital junction or

demonstrate on a live dog. Explain that the head is cut with a scapel
and the junction severed.
b. Once the head is severed, place it into one plastic bad and tied and
then place in a second plastic bag.
c. Apply a label to outside of second bag.
d. Put specimen into Styrofoam box containing cool pack or ice.
e. Fill in the specimen submission form.
f. Label box with the key details mentioned on the form and deliver
 immediately to concerned lab.
g. Sample must reach the lab within 24 hrs of the dog dying.

2. Bio-security in specimen collection

 Ask the participants: What are the risks of practicing euthanasia on

suspected rabid dogs? How can we minimize those risks?
Tip: The veterinarian performing the humane euthanasia and removing the dog’s
head must have received three shots of pre-exposure rabies vaccination, by using
proper PPE and personal bio-safety. (mask, goggles, gloves and closed shoes; do not
remove the brain in the field)

Session 7. Practical session

Key points:
 All participants must be able to find the appropriate vein in the dog

1. Divide participants in group of 4 to 5 and make sure that each member

of group will get enough practice and confidence to handling and
restrain dogs properly, drug preparation, site of injection and practice IV
injection by using vitamin (nuerobian).
2. Each group will have a facilitator who will show them how to calm and
handle a dog, palpate the veins, give a vitamin injection, estimate the
weight by eye. The dogs should be muzzled if quiet or sedated if
necessary.

Tip for facilitator: Before the session discusses the various scenarios that may lead
to the participants having to euthanize a dog: Ask them to refer to the SOP on criteria
for humane euthanasia. Possible scenarios are:

a. A highly suspect rabid animal. (ie the animal is showing more than one sign of
rabies); In most cases this animal should be caught in the net and restrained.
During the practical session try to simulate this as the participants will need to
practice finding the veins through the net.
b. All unvaccinated animals that have been bitten by the suspect dog. Note that
these may have to be caught in a net so use this in the simulation.
c. Owned animals which are unvaccinated and have been bitten by a suspect
dog. You will need to simulate this also. The owner may be able to keep the bitten
animal calm but it would be dangerous to ask an unvaccinated person to hold a
suspect animal.
d. If the animal is in an isolation cage and develops rabies, how can it be
euthanized in the cage?
Introudion
Pengantar
Euthanasi
Metode
aeuthanasi
humane
methods
of
euthanasi
for
humane
a untuk
dogs
anjing
euthanasi
and
a dan
follow-up
tindak
a
Presentasi
interaktif
lanjutnya
actions
Interactive
Reaffirmation and Closing
1. Ask participants to conclude the whole process by referring to following
question;
a. What is humane euthanasia and what is the objective?
b. Under what conditions should you perform euthanasia to a dog?
c. What are the drugs used in the process?
d. When should you use pre-medication sedative?
e. What is the dosage of each drug per kilogram of dog weight?
f. What are the methods of euthanasia?
Strychnin g. What are the steps of performing euthanasia?
e&
h. How can you confirm that the dog is dead?
Pentobar
bitone i. What are the follow-up actions?

2. Close the session by thanking the participants and give applause to end
the session.

Reference material: animal welfare in Vietnam