Behavioural and cardiovascular responses of rats to euthanasia using carbon dioxide gas.
Our results showed more rapid falls in pulse rate and blood pressure in rats euthanized in a chamber precharged with carbon dioxide (CO2), when compared with rats euthanized more slowly, but death still took over 5 min in the former group. There was no behavioural evidence of pain or distress in either group during euthanasia. Initial ataxia and dyspnoea was punctuated by a lag before death, thus separating euthanasia into three clearly defined phases. All visual signs of death preceded complete vascular collapse by about 1 min in both groups, so we recommend that gas flow be maintained for at least 1 min after apparent death.
Smith
W
W
Department of Science and Technology, Western Melbourne Institute of Technical and Further Education, Footscray, Victoria, Australia.
Harrap
S B
SB
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001273:Atmosphere Exposure Chambers; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005065:Euthanasia; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D002245:Carbon Dioxide