Figure 2. Simulation of euthanasia in a consultation room. The heavily sedated dog is cradled by his owner while the veterinary team access the lateral saphenous vein on the hind limb for the injection of pentobarbital. Note the soft blanket for the dog to rest on.

Advocating sedation pre-euthanasia in small animal practice

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) guidelines for euthanasia recommend injection of an overdose of a barbiturate solution, using pre-medicants for frightened or vicious animals...

Figure 3. Checking for a pulse in a tortoise over the lateral neck using a Doppler monitor

Considerations for humane euthanasia in exotic pet species

The euthanasia of pet animals always poses ethical, emotional and practical challenges. These may be compounded in the case of exotic pet species because of:.

How do I know if this tortoise is dead?

Tortoises are reptiles and ectotherms, that is their body temperature and metabolic rate are dependent on the temperature of their environment. If kept in cold environments, their metabolic rate will...