CET Euthanasia Procedures and Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which route of administration for sodium pentobarbital is considered acceptable but not preferred for small mammals when venipuncture is difficult?
- Subcutaneous
- Intramuscular
- Intraperitoneal (Correct answer)
- Intranasal
Correct answer: Intraperitoneal
Intraperitoneal administration is acceptable but not preferred because onset is slower; it is used when IV access is impractical in small mammals.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of confirming death before disposing of an animal's remains?
- To comply with documentation requirements only
- To ensure the animal is truly dead and prevent premature disposal of a living animal (Correct answer)
- To satisfy owner requests for a death certificate
- To allow the drug to fully metabolize before incineration
Correct answer: To ensure the animal is truly dead and prevent premature disposal of a living animal
Confirming death prevents the catastrophic error of disposing of a still-living animal, which would be inhumane and constitute a serious welfare failure.
Question 3: Which of the following is a sign of incomplete euthanasia that requires immediate attention?
- Fixed and dilated pupils
- Muscle twitching or gasping after apparent cessation of heartbeat (Correct answer)
- Gradual drop in body temperature
- Pale mucous membranes
Correct answer: Muscle twitching or gasping after apparent cessation of heartbeat
Muscle twitching or gasping after apparent death may indicate the animal is not fully deceased and requires an additional dose or alternative confirmation method.
Question 4: When performing euthanasia on a neonatal animal, what physical consideration affects drug dosing?
- Neonates require a lower mg/kg dose than adults
- Neonates have a higher surface area to volume ratio requiring a higher mg/kg dose (Correct answer)
- Neonates metabolize barbiturates faster, requiring less drug
- Neonates are more resistant to pentobarbital than adults
Correct answer: Neonates have a higher surface area to volume ratio requiring a higher mg/kg dose
Neonates may require higher mg/kg doses due to differences in body composition, drug distribution, and metabolism compared to adult animals.
Question 5: A shelter technician notices the euthanasia solution has changed color and appears cloudy. What is the correct action?
- Use the solution since cloudiness is normal
- Shake the bottle vigorously to clear the solution
- Do not use the solution; discard and obtain a new bottle (Correct answer)
- Filter the solution through gauze before use
Correct answer: Do not use the solution; discard and obtain a new bottle
Cloudiness or color change in euthanasia solution indicates possible contamination or degradation; the solution must be discarded and replaced.
Question 6: Which organ system is primarily targeted by sodium pentobarbital to induce euthanasia?
- Cardiovascular system
- Renal system
- Central nervous system (Correct answer)
- Hepatic system
Correct answer: Central nervous system
Sodium pentobarbital causes rapid depression of the central nervous system, leading to unconsciousness, respiratory arrest, and then cardiac arrest.
Question 7: What is the AVMA's stance on the use of neuromuscular blocking agents alone (without anesthesia) as a euthanasia method?
- Acceptable if administered rapidly
- Conditionally acceptable for reptiles
- Unacceptable — they cause paralysis without loss of consciousness or pain relief (Correct answer)
- Acceptable when combined with carbon dioxide
Correct answer: Unacceptable — they cause paralysis without loss of consciousness or pain relief
Neuromuscular blocking agents alone are explicitly unacceptable because they paralyze the animal while it remains conscious and able to feel pain.
CET Euthanasia Procedures and Techniques 3
Which route of administration for sodium pentobarbital is considered acceptable but not preferred for small mammals when venipuncture is difficult?