title: Feedlot Euthanasia and Necropsy.
abstract: Timely euthanasia of feeder cattle can minimize suffering of cattle that have little hope of recovery or pain abatement. Euthanasia techniques are described, including primary and secondary steps to ensure humane death. Considerations are discussed to ensure rendered product from euthanized cattle will be safe. A necropsy technique that is time efficient and thorough is outlined. An important aspect is minimizing the number of detached body organs, thereby making it easier to remove the necropsied animal. A necropsy data collection system is discussed that uses check-boxes to record findings. A link to a database that can be downloaded is included.
authors.affiliation: Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 820 Road 313, PO Box 148, Clay Center, NE 68933-0148, USA. Electronic address: DGRIFFIN@GPVEC.UNL.EDU.
authors.forename: Dee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Griffin
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001344:Autopsy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle; D003625:Data Collection; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal / Q000379:methods*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D014730:Veterinary Medicine
keywords: Bovine; Brain stem disruption (pithing); Diagnosis; Euthanasia; Humane; Necropsy; Records