title: Survey of euthanasia practices in animal shelters in Canada.
abstract: Questionnaires on methods of euthanasia used in Canadian animal shelters were sent to 196 Canadian animal shelters yielding 67 responses. Sodium pentobarbital injection was the only method of euthanasia used by 61% of establishments that euthanized dogs and 53% of the establishments that euthanized cats. Many of these establishments used pre-medication. Sodium pentobarbital was mostly administered intravenously but some establishments also used intracardiac and intraperitoneal routes, and some only used intracardiac administration for cats. T-61 injection was the only method of euthanasia used by 23% of the establishments that euthanized dogs and 35% of the establishments that euthanized cats. All of these establishments used pre-medication, but the percentages of establishments that only used the intravenous route for administration of T-61 in dogs and cats were 45% and 7%, respectively. Further studies on the use of T-61, and the training and provision of counselling services for staff are recommended.
authors: Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3.
authors: Niamh
authors: N
authors: Caffrey
authors: Aboubakar
authors: A
authors: Mounchili
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: McConkey
authors: Michael S
authors: MS
authors: Cockram
mesh_terms: D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D002170:Canada; D002415:Cats; D004285:Dogs; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011155:Population Control / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D010424:Pentobarbital