Abstracts: Euthanasia of cattle: practical considerations and application

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 conditions be met to assure […]

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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 in Germany against killing the […]

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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 a dark compartment filling with […]

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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 similar, yet more severe, clinical […]

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