Emergency Euthanasia of Horses

1. Emergency Euthanasia of Horses CPT Janice Baker US Army Veterinary Corps

2. Introduction • Horses, being horses, will find trouble in any manner possible • People, being people, will try to do something to help

3. Introduction • Sometimes we help in a positive way • Sometimes, while well-intended, we make the problem worse

4. Even in an emergency, euthanization of an animal is a process

5. Euthanasia Process • Contingency Planning • Scene Control and Incident Management • Patient Assessment • Consent of Owner or Authorized Agent • Method of Euthanasia • Carcass Disposal • Documentation of Case

6. Contingency Planning • Horse shows and other competitive events • Parades • Horse camps • Organized trail rides • ANY event which will have media present (Olympics, horse races, etc)

7. Contingency Planning • Personnel • Responsibilities • ICS • Security • Controlled substances • Equipment • Personal safety • Worst-Case Scenario • Drills and training

8. Ask yourself before euthanasia… -Do we have consent from the owner/agent? -In writing if possible -Can it wait for a better location or time? -Move off road, trail, away from on-lookers -Is the method safe for everyone (i.e. gunshot) -Only use this method if trained -What will we do with the carcass? -Be prepared to leave it behind in some situations

9. Scene Control and Incident Management • DON’T RUSH TO EUTHANIZE! • If you aren’t sure about it, remember three important things: • You MUST have permission from the owner/agent to euthanize an animal • Horses know perfectly well how to die on their own • Euthanasia is PERMANENT

10. STAY CALM

11. Don’t be pressured by on-lookers • Explain what you are doing • Give them a job • Assign someone to handle crowd control to allow you to stay focused • Call for police or security help if needed

12. Patient Assessment • Some non life-threatening injuries look really bad • Some serious injuries don’t look so bad • When in doubt, don’t euthanize!

13. Emergency EuthanasiaDecision to Euthanize • Must have consent of owner or authorized agent • Obtain consent in writing if possible • Owner/agent and witness • Detail the reason for euthanasia • Document injury or situation with photos or video if possible

14. Emergency EuthanasiaDecision to Euthanize • When not likely to recover from injury or illness • Even if life saved now, consider long-term prognosis. • Dictated by triage, resources, time or safety • Mass casualties • Impending storm, other dangerous conditions • Animal is danger to people or other animals

15. Is there a more appropriate place and time?

16. Is the method humane for the animal and safe for everyoneinvolved?

17. What will you do with the carcass?

18. Carcass Disposal • Rendering plants • Burial • Incineration • Leave in place • Be aware of options before euthanizing animals • Check with local authorities

19. Carcass Disposal

20. Case Scenarios

21. 33 year-old geldingat kids summer day campHR=68 RR=40 T=103.0 MM=pale CRT 3 seconds, thrashing

22. 4 year-old stallionfound following Cat 5 hurricane, owner not known HR=80 RR=40 No active bleedingMM color pale, CTR=3 seconds

23. 5 Year-old gelding, drug under cart on gravel road • Public watching incident and demand you “put him out of his misery.” • HR=64 RR=36 T=103.2 • Non weight-bearing on left rear limb • Tendon visible through left stifle abrasion

24. 7 year-old mare ran through fenceNow appears paralyzedin rear limbs, thrashing with front limbs. Vet is at least 1 hr awayOwner is not there and you have a gun…

25. Adult gelding trapped in flood water for 3 days. Water is rising. Owner is known but not present. You have multiple resources and many (untrained) volunteers offering to help.

26. 4 Acceptable Methods of Euthanasia • Lethal injection with sodium pentobarbital • Gunshot wound to the head • Captive bolt to the head • Bleeding (if already unconscious)

27. “Humane” Method • Renders animal instantly insentient, or unaware. • Euthanasia method causes as little pain and distress as possible.

28. Lethal Injection with Sodium Pentobarbital

29. Advantages Rapid action Induces unconsciousness Relatively safe for handlers Disadvantages Controlled substance Requires large amount Need IV access Lethal Injection

30. Lethal InjectionUnacceptable methods • Chemical agents that do not render the animal instantly unconscious • Cleaning agents and disinfectants • Air embolism • KCL if the animal is not already unconscious

31. Gunshot Wound -Shot must be made at the crossing of the “X” between ears and eyes. -Parallel with the neck. -Perpendicular to the skull. -Use caution for bystanders and beware ricochets and fragments

32. Advantages Very rapid if done correctly No drug residuals Accessible to non-vet personnel Disadvantages Special training required Special equipment required Regulatory constraints Safety concerns Gunshot to Head

33. Captive Bolt to the Head • Similar to gunshot • Less hazardous than firearm • Check regulatory constraints! • Difficult to use if animal is thrashing • May only stun animal- be prepared with backup method

34. What NOT to do with euthanasia • Don’t be pressured by onlookers • Don’t feel you “Have to do something” • Don’t use an unacceptable method of euthanasia • Don’t euthanize without consent of the owner or authorized agent

35. Questions?

36. Reference • 2000 Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia JAVMA Vol. 218 No. 5, March 1 2001 pp 269-296