Piglet euthanasia: gas or injection?

Methods for the humane killing of animals are watched critically by both th e public and the veterinary community. Evaluation of such methods requires assessment of efficacy as well as emotional and ethical aspects. Rapidly of loss of consciousness is a crucial factor in such evaluations. In the pres ent study, four methods for piglet euthanasia were compared with regard to presence of indicators of discomfort (pain, anxiety, stress) and rapidity o f onset or death, defined as the absence of breathing, heart beats and refl exes, combined with isoelectricity of the electro-encephalogram (EEG). The study was performed on piglets, which hud to be destroyed on account of pre ventative measures against swine fever. The following methods were applied CO2 98%, CO2/O-2 65/35%, T61(R) and pentobarbital (Euthesate(R)) injected i ntracardially. Intracardial injections of T61 and pentobarbital provide fast unconsciousne ss and death il with minimal discomfort to the animal.