Description
Book SynopsisVeterinary Euthanasia Techniques: A Practical Guide provides detailed guidance on euthanasia procedures in a wide variety of species, including dogs, cats, exotics, horses, and production animals. Based on the current AVMA guidelines, the book offers step-by-step descriptions of the recommended methods of euthanasia, giving all the information needed to perform these techniques with confidence.
Veterinary Euthanasia Techniques helps practitioners, students, and technicians expand their knowledge base and provide competent, compassionate euthanasia services.
Including information on client considerations, equipment, positioning, sedation, and aftercare, the focus of the book is on providing detailed procedures for correctly performing euthanasia. Veterinary Euthanasia Techniques presents complete information on euthanasia, offering specific advice to improve skills and aid in decision making.
Trade Review“This is a book that you should purchase and not let sit on the shelf. Use it to perfect a ‘good death’ for your own patients.” (Australian Veterinary Journal, 1 April 2013)
“So while this is not a perfect book, it definitely does what they intend and I genuinely look forward to future editions.” (Veterinary Practice News, 1 March 2013)
“Overall, this is a wonderful resource for any practitioner or technician. The information is logically organized, enabling quick and easy retrieval. No other resource covers the topic of euthanasia as completely.” (Doody’s,
25 January 2013)
“The text would be useful both in an educational as well as clinical setting for review and further study.” (Vspn.org, 1 January 2013)
“Veterinary Euthanasia Techniques’ is very much a practical guide for veterinary surgeons and technicians on what is a difficult decision to make – and to get right.” (Veterinary Record, 15 December 2012)
"The book can be used as a manual covering step-by-step techniques or as a starting point for discussing options with clients. No vet's library should be without this manual!." (The Bookwatch, 1 November 2012)
“On balance, the authors of this new book have succeeded in providing a practical guide to the euthanasia techniques for all species the practising veterinarian is likely to encounter.” (
Animal Welfare, 1 November 2012)
Table of ContentsAbout the Authors vii
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction xi
1 Client Considerations 1
Companion animals 3
Species-specific considerations 6
2 Equipment 19
Technique-specific equipment 19
Euthanasia area equipment 29
Drugs 30
Species-specific considerations 35
3 Positioning and Restraint 43
Positioning 43
Restraint 45
Species-specific considerations 45
4 Pre-euthanasia Sedation and Anesthesia 51
Anesthesia 52
Sedation 53
Drugs and routes of administration 55
Assessing unconsciousness and sedation 56
Specific-species considerations 57
5 Euthanasia Techniques 73
How death is achieved 73
Choosing an appropriate method 75
Inhalant methods 78
Injectable methods 79
Physical methods 79
Species-specific techniques 79
Unacceptable methods for domestic animals 164
Death and associated signs 165
6 Body Aftercare 169
Burial 170
Composting 172
Cremation/incineration 173
Rendering 174
Species-specific considerations 174
Conclusion 183
Bibliography 185
Index 191
