title: Use of tricaine methanesulfonate (MS222) for euthanasia of reptiles.
abstract: Tricaine methanesulfonate (MS222) injected into the intracoelomic cavity of reptiles was evaluated as a chemical euthanasia method. Three western fence lizards, 2 desert iguanas, 4 garter snakes, and 6 geckos were euthanized by intracoelomic injection of 250 to 500 mg/kg of 0.7% to 1% sodium-bicarbonate-buffered MS222 solution followed by intracoelomic injection of 0.1 to 1.0 ml unbuffered 50% (v/v) MS222 solution. A simple 2-stage protocol for euthanasia of reptiles by using MS222 is outlined. In addition, the conditions for safe use of MS222 are discussed. MS222 offers an alternative to sodium pentobarbital for euthanasia of reptiles.
authors.affiliation: Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Conroy
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Papenfuss
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Hahn
mesh_terms: D062365:Aminobenzoates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D017812:Colubridae; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal / Q000379:methods*; D007076:Iguanas; D007267:Injections; D008116:Lizards; D012104:Reptiles
chemical_list: D062365:Aminobenzoates; D000777:Anesthetics; C003636:tricaine