Acceptable methods for the euthanasia of cattle include overdose of an anaesthetic, gunshot and captive bolt. The use of anaesthetics for euthanasia is costly and complicates carcass disposal. These issues can be avoided by use of a physical method such as gunshot or captive bolt; however, each requires that certain […]
Vet Ethics: Chico – killer dog or misunderstood victim?
In April this year, an online petition was organized to save the life of dog in Germany who had killed two of its owners. The petition on Change.org garnered hundreds of thousands of online votes calling for the dog, Chico, not to be ‘euthanised’. In addition, a demonstration was held […]
Vet Ethics: Canine culls – some considerations
Following a political and humanitarian crisis in Nigeria in 1971, some French doctors came together to form a group called Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). MSF – also known as Doctors Without Borders – has been involved in many significant crises like those in Rwanda, the Congo, and Bosnia. In its […]
Rat aversion to isoflurane versus carbon dioxide
Some experts suggest that sedation of laboratory rodents with isoflurane before euthanasia with carbon dioxide (CO(2)) is a humane alternative to euthanasia with CO(2) alone, but little research has compared aversion with these agents. Albino rats were tested in a light-dark box where they had the choice between remaining in […]
Vitamin D intoxication caused by ingestion of commercial cat food in three kittens
Two siblings, a 6-month-old sexually intact male weighing 2.5 kg (cat 1) and a sexually intact female (cat 2) British shorthair cat weighing 2.3 kg, were examined because of a 3-week history of polyuria, lethargy and laboured breathing. One year previously, another sibling (cat 3) had been presented because of […]