equine euthanasia
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Equine Euthanasia](https://reader031.vdocuments.site/reader031/viewer/2022021500/588158c11a28abc9688ba90e/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Equine Euthanasia
Tom R. Lenz, DVM, MS, DACT
![Page 2: Equine Euthanasia](https://reader031.vdocuments.site/reader031/viewer/2022021500/588158c11a28abc9688ba90e/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Annual U.S. Equine MortalityProcessed vs. Death/Euthanasia
Horses processed for meat — ± 112,000 (1.24%)Died/euthanized (30 days of age or older) —
± 167,000 (1.8%)*Total Mortality — ± 270,000 horses (3%±)**%’s similar to 1998 report
*USDA & NAHMS 2005 Report**AHC estimates 2005 U.S. Horse population-9 million
![Page 3: Equine Euthanasia](https://reader031.vdocuments.site/reader031/viewer/2022021500/588158c11a28abc9688ba90e/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Euthanasia
Criteria: Based on Medical Assessment• Condition presents a hopeless prognosis• Horse’s condition causes unnecessary
pain & suffering• Horse is a hazard to itself or its handlers• Horse requires continuous medication for
relief of pain for the remainder of it’s life
No longer meets owner’s needs Owner can no longer afford
![Page 4: Equine Euthanasia](https://reader031.vdocuments.site/reader031/viewer/2022021500/588158c11a28abc9688ba90e/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Euthanasia Guidelines
Acceptable methods*Barbiturate Overdose
Acceptable With Conditions*Penetrating Captive BoltGunshot
*2013 AVMA Euthanasia guidelines – led by a 13-member panel with more than 60 experts including veterinarians, animal scientists, behaviorists, physiologists, psychologists and an ethicist. 2/27/2013
![Page 5: Equine Euthanasia](https://reader031.vdocuments.site/reader031/viewer/2022021500/588158c11a28abc9688ba90e/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Euthanasia Guidelines
Adjunct method:*KCL in horse in surgical plane of anesthesia
Unacceptable Methods*Chloral hydrateSuccinylcholine with out anesthesiaSolvents, cleaning solutions, caffeine, strychnine
* 2013 AVMA Euthanasia guidelines – led by a 13-member panel with more than 60 experts including veterinarians, animal scientists, behaviorists, physiologists, psychologists and an ethicist. 2/27/2013
![Page 6: Equine Euthanasia](https://reader031.vdocuments.site/reader031/viewer/2022021500/588158c11a28abc9688ba90e/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Barbiturate OverdoseAdvantages:• Speed of action• Minimal discomfort to the horse
Disadvantages:• Drug is a DEA controlled substance• Must be administered intravenously• Must be administered rapidly &
in sufficient quantity• Terminal gasping, vocalization & muscular
activity• Carcass is an environmental hazard
![Page 7: Equine Euthanasia](https://reader031.vdocuments.site/reader031/viewer/2022021500/588158c11a28abc9688ba90e/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Barbiturate Overdose
Sequence of events*• Injection time – 17 seconds• Collapse - 26 seconds• Absence of auscultable heartbeat – 84
seconds• Lack of corneal reflex – 161 seconds• Flat EKG – 653 seconds
To facilitate the process:• Pre-place an IV catheter• Administer rapidly & in sufficient quantity• Pre-medicate with sedatives?
*Emergency Euthanasia of Horses, Hullinger, Stull, 2013
![Page 8: Equine Euthanasia](https://reader031.vdocuments.site/reader031/viewer/2022021500/588158c11a28abc9688ba90e/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
GunshotAdvantages
• Immediate unconsciousness and brain death
• Does not require restraint• Carcass is environmental friendly
Disadvantages• Requires skill and experience• Risk of ricochet• May be aesthetically displeasing to
observers
![Page 9: Equine Euthanasia](https://reader031.vdocuments.site/reader031/viewer/2022021500/588158c11a28abc9688ba90e/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Gunshot
Requires .22-long rifle solid point, 9 mm or .38-.45 caliber pistol
Point of impact is ½ in. above the intersection of diagonal lines from the base of the ear to the corner of the opposite eye
![Page 10: Equine Euthanasia](https://reader031.vdocuments.site/reader031/viewer/2022021500/588158c11a28abc9688ba90e/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Penetrating Captive BoltAdvantages:• Immediate unconsciousness &
brain death • Carcass not an environmental
hazard
Disadvantages:• Requires skill• Horse must be restrained• May be displeasing to observers
![Page 11: Equine Euthanasia](https://reader031.vdocuments.site/reader031/viewer/2022021500/588158c11a28abc9688ba90e/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Colorado DVM Equine Euthanasia Survey, 2009
128 Respondents 62% Urban or Suburban Method of Euthanasia
• 95% Barbiturate Overdose• 5% gunshot
Carcass Disposal • 76% burial or land fill
32% of all respondents willing to euthanize a horse for owner’s convenience
42% of Equine DVM respondents willing to euthanize a horse for owner’s convenience
83% very informed on the unwanted horse issue
![Page 12: Equine Euthanasia](https://reader031.vdocuments.site/reader031/viewer/2022021500/588158c11a28abc9688ba90e/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Questions/ Comments
![Page 13: Equine Euthanasia](https://reader031.vdocuments.site/reader031/viewer/2022021500/588158c11a28abc9688ba90e/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Questions/ Comments??
![Page 14: Equine Euthanasia](https://reader031.vdocuments.site/reader031/viewer/2022021500/588158c11a28abc9688ba90e/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Questions???