Review of Literature on Use of T-61 as an Euthanasic Agent

Authors

Laura Dalia Barocio, The Institute for the Study of Animal Problems

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1983

Abstract

The tools of evaluating the degree of distress in animals being killed include electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), and measurement of blood pressure and respiration. Sound clinical and behavioral observations should also not be abandoned in the evaIuation process.

There are many methods which may be employed to reach the same end results, but the ideal method should satisfy several criteria: 1. It should be painless; 2. It should cause unconsciousness instantaneously and death within minutes; 3. It should not cause undue anxiety, alarm, fear, panic, behavior, struggling, vocalization, muscle spasms or clinical signs of automatic activation (e.g., convulsions) before unconsciousness; 4. It should always cause death when properly used; 5. It should be safe for the properly trained person to use; 6. It should be easy for the properly trained person to use; 7. It should not be a drug subject to abuse in human beings; B. It should be aesthetically unobjectionable. (This criterion depends on who the observers are); 9. It should be practical to use for the particular type of animal to be killed; 10. It should not create a problem of sanitation or environmental contamination; 11. It should not cause tissue changes which will alter postmortem examination or chemical tests; and 12. It should be economical.

The objective of this paper is to review the literature on the use of T-61 as an euthanasic agent and to determine to what extent it meets the above criteria.

Recommended Citation

Barocio, L.D. (1983). Review of literature on use of T-61 as an euthanasic agent. International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems, 4(4), 336-342.