Appendix 2: Methods of euthanasia for post-neonatal laboratory mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits

Chemical: inhalant

• Carbon dioxide ¹

• Halothane, Isoflurane, Methoxyflurane ²

• Ether ^2,3
• Hydrogen cyanide ^2,4
• Carbon monoxide ²
• Nitrogen ⁴
• Chloroform ²

Chemical: injectable

• Pentobarbitone sodium i/p (i/c after sedation)
• Xylazine/Ketamine

Physical

• Cervical dislocation ⁵ if less than 150 g

• Decapitation ^{1, 4, 5,6}
• Stunning and exsanguination ^{4, 5,6}

• Microwave irradiation – not yet proven to be humane ¹
• Decompression ^{1, 4}
• Asphyxia ^{1, 3, 4}
• Rapid freezing ^{1, 3}

Chemical: inhalant

• Carbon dioxide ¹

(for animals <600g)

• Halothane, Isoflurane, Methoxyflurane ²
• Nitrous oxide (must be used with other inhalants) ²

• Ether ^{2, 3}
• Hydrogen cyanide ^{2, 3, 4}
• Carbon monoxide ²
• Chloroform ²

Chemical: injectable

• Pentobarbitone sodium i/p (or i/c after sedation)

• Intravenous agents are acceptable only with i/v catheter placement.

Physical

• Cervical dislocation ⁵ if less than 150g

• Stunning and exsanguination ^{4, 5,6}

Chemical: inhalant

None recommended

• Halothane, Isoflurane, Methoxyflurane ²
• Nitrous oxide (must be used with other inhalants) ²

• Chloroform ^{2, 3, 4}
• Carbon dioxide ^{1, 3, 4}
• Hydrogen cyanide gas^{2, 4}
• Carbon monoxide ^{1, 2}

Chemical: injectable

• Pentobarbitone sodium i/v or i/p

• Ketamine with a premedicant such as acetylpromazine or xylazine

• Ketamine alone ³
• Magnesium sulphate, Potassium chloride ³

Physical

None recommended

• Stunning and dislocation ^{4, 5,6}
• Captive bolt ^{1, 4, 5}
• Neck dislocation ⁵(should only be used if anaesthetised first)
• Decapitation ^{1, 5}(should only be used if anaesthetised first)

• Neck dislocation without anaesthesia ^{3, 4}
• Decapitation without anaesthesia ^{1, 3, 4}