Description

Specifications

*To request a quote for the customizable model, please contact us.

Introduction

Euthanasia is an act of facilitating a peaceful passing in an animal by inducing rapid loss of consciousness, which ultimately results in the cessation of life with minimal discomfort or distress. An acceptable method of euthanasia, as endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, ensures swift unconsciousness and alleviation of pain and distress, followed by the cessation of respiratory and circulatory functions, as well as brain activity. The euthanasia chamber facilitates the humane euthanasia of laboratory rodents through CO2 inhalation. It is equipped with specialized fittings designed to accommodate standard CO2 gas tubes.

Method of Euthanasia

There are several methods for facilitating a peaceful passing in animals; however, an optimal euthanasia procedure aligns with specific criteria for the well-being of the animal, the employer, and the chemical utilized. Ideally, it should ensure the humane immobilization of the animal with minimal distress and the induction of rapid and irreversible insensibility with minimal discomfort. Furthermore, this technique should garner acceptance from both the general public and the individual administering the procedure. It should also be cost-effective and feasible for non-veterinary personnel to carry out with minimal training. Lastly, the choice of euthanasia agent is crucial. It should pose minimal or no risk to the operator and leave no residues or damage that could impede subsequent investigations or future use of the remains. Additionally, it should not generate any residues that could endanger other animals following the disposal of the deceased.

Considering all the aforementioned parameters for the optimal method of euthanasia, the inhalation of CO2 emerges as the closest approximation to this ideal. It reliably and swiftly induces unconsciousness with minimal distress to the animal. Moreover, it presents no significant safety hazards (Boivin et al., 2017).

Principle

The CO2 gas is introduced into the chamber, gently inducing a state of unconsciousness in the animal, ultimately resulting in a gradual and humane cessation of life.

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths:

The Euthanasia chamber is a specially designed instrument for CO2 euthanasia that allows euthanizing small lab animals with minimum pain and distress. It allows easy observation of animals with fully controllable CO2 flow rates.

Limitations

Several studies have shown that CO2 causes pain and discomfort in animals, so its usage should be carefully examined (Conlee et al., 2005).

Euthanasia Chamber - Containment System

Advantages

Air-Tight Construction: The box is meticulously crafted to eliminate any potential for air-leak, ensuring a secure and controlled environment.

Lid Superiority: Through our assessments, we’ve determined that a lid design proves more effective and tighter compared to an open front. This choice enhances the overall reliability and functionality of the chamber.

Two-Piece Chamber Design: This design has undergone thorough assays, and the final result indicates that it performs exceptionally well in preventing air-leakage, meeting the stringent requirements for a euthanasia chamber.

Protocol

The most common method of humane euthanasia used for small animals involves carbon dioxide (CO2) inhalation. Although CO2 is generally regarded as a suitable agent for humane euthanasia in small animals when administered correctly, its acceptability depends on several key factors. The animals must be put to rest by trained personnel. During the euthanasia process, it is important to avoid mixing different species. Whenever feasible, animals should be euthanized individually. However, it is also common practice to euthanize animals in groups, provided that the chamber is not overly populated. It is advisable to ensure that the chamber is not overly crowded. Whenever possible, euthanasia should be conducted away from the animal room.

Place the animal(s) in the chamber without pre-filling or charging it with 100% CO2. To achieve a well-balanced gas mixture and achieve the objective of inducing rapid unconsciousness with minimal distress to the animals, a fill rate of 30-70 percent of the chamber capacity per minute, introduced into the existing air in the chamber, is recommended.
The time it takes for unconsciousness to occur typically ranges between 2 and 3 minutes. Sustain CO2 flow for at least 1 minute after cessation of breathing. If indications of dehydration and faded eye color are observed, promptly remove the mice from the chamber; otherwise, continue exposure to CO2.
The end of the process must be confirmed by appropriate means, such as ascertaining cardiac and respiratory arrest or observing the animal’s fixed and dilated pupils.

Technical consideration for Co2 Euthanasia

The pace at which CO2 is introduced is critical for humane CO2 application. Therefore, it is necessary to utilize a pressure-reducing regulator, flow meter, or restriction valve. A two-stage regulator offers the most precise control over flow rates. Initially, a regulator reduces the pressure in the tank to a predetermined level, and subsequently, a flow meter, flow gauge, or restriction valve delivers a precise CO2 flow to the euthanasia chamber. Adjusting the flow rate can expedite the process after the animals have reached an unconscious state, thereby minimizing the time to reach the desired outcome. An unconscious animal is described as experiencing a loss of the righting reflex or attaining lateral recumbency (Shomer et al., 2020).

The following formula determines the capacity of the euthanasia chamber:

Volume of the euthanasia chamber in liters = (Height in cm) × (Width in cm) × (Length in cm) /1000

Assessment Criteria for End-of-Life Confirmation

The following assessment criteria are applicable to all species and end-of-life procedures.

Cardiac activity

Cardiac activity should be observed for a minimum of five minutes. The most accurate methods for diagnosis include direct palpation of the carotid or femoral artery pulses and direct palpation of the heart. Additionally, the absence of electrical activity in the heart can be confirmed using ECG.

Pupil response to light stimulation

This can be conducted by shining a bright light into the animal’s eyes. A neurological response is indicated by pupil constriction. Following end-of-life, the pupils will dilate and become unresponsive to light. Certain medications and experimental substances, such as anticholinergics like atropine, may also affect pupillary responsiveness or alter it in various ways.

Animals under deep sedation may exhibit shallow and irregular breathing patterns, which could be mistaken for a lack of spontaneous respiration. Consequently, the absence of spontaneous breathing should not be solely relied upon as the criterion for confirming end-of-life status.

Applications

Euthanasia is a critical research procedure. Several times scientists have to find out the effects of respiratory distress or hypoxia on the whole body in normal, diseased, or specific conditions such as injury, pregnancy, etc. In those cases, the euthanasia chamber helps establish hypoxic conditions for lab animals in a controlled environment with minimal pain. For example, Hallak et al. (2000) researched the damaging effects of maternal hypoxia on the fetal neurons and CNS. They utilized a euthanasia chamber as a hypoxia chamber and reported the significant neuronal damage with overall reduced brain and body size of the fetus. Similarly, Lauder et al. (2011) reported the reduced intraperitoneal adhesions with chitosan-dextran gel. For the observation of the results, they euthanized the rats using a euthanasia chamber.

Precautions

Euthanasia is a delicate process that should be handled with care and empathy. Conversely, it requires proper technique and training. Below are some suggested precautions:

The chamber fill rate should be monitored if unconsciousness has not been achieved within 2 to 3 minutes. Any issues with the flow meter, CO2 supply, or possible leakage should be thoroughly investigated. Unintended recovery can be prevented by utilizing appropriate CO2 concentrations and exposure durations.
It is essential to confirm the cessation of life following CO2 exposure. In instances of CO2 narcosis, it should be followed by a secondary method, such as decapitation, bilateral pneumothorax, or neck dislocation, if the animal has not reached the desired state.
The CO2 euthanasia chamber should undergo cleaning after each use and at the end of the day to remove any residual debris or pheromones released during the previous session. Alternatively, each group should be provided with a new/unused container.
Upon cursory examination, a deeply sedated or seriously ill animal may exhibit characteristics that mimic cessation of life; however, indicators such as lack of movement or apparent absence of respiration are insufficient for confirming the end-of-life status. Therefore, all research personnel should receive adequate and appropriate training in laboratory euthanasia methods and in assessing vital signs to ascertain the cessation of animal life.

Summary

Euthanasia is the act of facilitating a peaceful passing in an animal by inducing rapid loss of consciousness.
The Euthanasia chamber is specifically engineered for CO2 euthanasia.
The chamber features clear, transparent walls for convenient observation of the lab animal. It includes a CO2 gas inlet and outlet equipped with a stopcock and fittings suitable for CO2 gas tubes.
Ensuring humane euthanasia of lab animals necessitates appropriate training and expertise.

References

Boivin, G. P., Hickman, D. L., Creamer-Hente, M. A., Pritchett-Corning, K. R., & Bratcher, N. A. (2017). Review of CO₂ as a Euthanasia Agent for Laboratory Rats and Mice. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science : JAALAS, 56(5), 491-499.
Euthanasia of Research Animals. Retrieved from https://services-web.research.uci.edu/compliance/animalcare-use/research-policies-and-guidance/euthanasia.html
Guidelines for Euthanasia of Rodents Using Carbon Dioxide. (2020). Retrieved from https://oacu.oir.nih.gov/system/files/media/file/2021-06/b5_euthanasia_of_rodents_using_carbon_dioxide.pdf
Hallak, M., Hotra, J. W., & Kupsky, W. J. (2000). Magnesium sulfate protection of fetal rat brain from severe maternal hypoxia. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 96(1), 124-128. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0029-7844(00)00844-9
Conlee, K. M., Stephens, M. L., Rowan, A. N., & King, L. A. (2005). Carbon dioxide for euthanasia: concerns regarding pain and distress, with special reference to mice and rats. Laboratory animals, 39(2), 137–161. https://doi.org/10.1258/0023677053739747
Lauder, C. I. W., Garcea, G., Strickland, A., & Maddern, G. J. (2011). Use of a Modified Chitosan–Dextran Gel to Prevent Peritoneal Adhesions in a Rat Model. Journal of Surgical Research, 171(2), 877-882. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2010.06.028
Shomer, N. H., Allen-Worthington, K. H., Hickman, D. L., Jonnalagadda, M., Newsome, J. T., Slate, A. R., . . . Wilkinson, M. (2020). Review of Rodent Euthanasia Methods. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science : JAALAS, 59(3), 242-253. doi:10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-19-000084

Additional information

Species	Large Rodents (Rabbits up to 2000g), Large Rodents (Rabbits up to 4000g), Mouse, Rat (up to 300g), Rat, Guinea Pig (up to 350g)- 1 Compartment, Rat, Guinea pig (up to 350g) – 2 compartments, Mice, Rat (up to 500g), Guinea pig
Brand	ConductScience
Material	Acrylic
Dimensions	101.6cm x 50.8cm x 20.32cm, 12cm x 10cm x 12cm, 23cm x11cm x 17cm, 27.94cm × 14.60cm × 17.78cm, 50.8cm x 30.48cm x 38.10cm, 55cm x18cm x 18cm, 71.12cm x 38.10cm x 38.10cm
Thickness	1/4 inch

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Euthanasia Chamber/Containment System”

You must be logged in to post a review.

CLASSIC

SPOTLIGHT

AUTOMATED

OPERANT

PROTOCOLS

ACTIVITY

PAIN & HEAT

ACCESORIES

DISCOVER

VIDEO TRACKING

SPECIES

Euthanasia Chamber/Containment System

You might also like

Frequently bought together