ABSTRACT
Euthanasia, or humane killing may be necessary at the end of an experiment, to alleviate suffering or to dispose of animals that are surplus to requirements. The word euthanasia is derived from the Greek terms “eu” meaning good and “thanatos” meaning death. Microwave irradiation is also used as a euthanasia method for rats and mice. Decapitation is also used as a physical euthanasia method. Euthanasia techniques should induce rapid loss of consciousness (LOC) unless instant death can be effectively achieved, for example by an appropriate physical method. Physical methods should provoke immediate and assured LOC by causing physical trauma to the brain; this may cause less distress to the animal but requires expertise and careful handling and restraint of the animal. Chemical methods are well-suited for the euthanasia of larger numbers of animals. Carbon dioxide is used to euthanise groups of rodents using specially designed chambers.
