Catastrophic accidents and illness affecting animals can happen at any time. This may necessitate that an animal's life be ended humanely. This guide is designed to aid owners, producers, auction market employees, livestock transporters, and law enforce ment officers in making the appropriate decisions regarding the emergency euthanasia of sheep and goats. It is always best to seek assistance from a veterinarian when considering euthanasia. However, in some circumstances a veterinarian may not be read ily available. It will be in the animal's best interest to provide a swift and humane death to prevent or minimize suffering. These guidelines are a summary of the current, best practices known for providing a humane death for sheep and goats in the ab sence of a veterinarian. Situations that may require emergency euthanasia:
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There are three acceptable mechanisms for inducing emergency euthanasia in sheep and goats:
| • | Drugs that directly depress the central nervous system (barbiturates, anesthetics). Overdoses lead to depression of the respiratory centers (the animal stops breathing) and cardiac arrest (the heart stops beating). |
| • | Physical or functional destruction of brain tissue vital for life (e.g., gunshot, penetrating captive bolt gun, and electrocution). |
| • | Methods that induce unconsciousness (stunning with a non-penetrating captive bolt gun) followed by exsanguination (massive blood loss). |
| Euthanasia is defined as "the intentional causing of a painless and easy death to a patient suffering from an incurable or painful disease." Webster's II University Dictionary, 1996 |
The Euthanasia Decision
Emergency euthanasia should be performed when there will be an unacceptable delay in treating the condition, the source of the pain or disease is incurable, or when transportation of the animal would significantly aggravate the condition. There may be t imes when none of these situations are clearly present. If you are in doubt, contact a veterinarian; however, if you can not obtain veterinary assistance, the following are some examples of situations that indicate euthanasia may be necessary to end exc essive suffering:
| • | Violent or self-destructive thrashing (Is the animal a hazard to itself or others?) |
| • | Evidence of severe shock (animal is unconscious) |
| • | Exposed abdominal organs |
| • | Open fractures of a long bone (leg bones below the shoulder or the hip) |
Location
When practical, choose a location where the carcass can be easily reached by removal equipment. Remember not to cause any further pain or unnecessary suffering in this handling process.
| Considerations in the Selection of a Euthanasia Method The following information should be considered when choosing the appropriate method of euthanasia: Human Safety The method should not put anyone at unnecessary risk. Ricochet of a bullet and/or the unpredictability of a falling or thrashing animal should be considered. Animal Welfare All methods of euthanasia should produce a quick and painless death. However, certain environments or animal behaviors may prevent the use of a specific method. Restraint Each method requires a differing amount of restraint. For example, administration of barbiturate or use of a captive bolt gun requires physical contact with the animal, whereas a firearm does not. Practicality The euthanasia method selected must be practical in the emergency situation that currently exists. For example, the necessary equipment must be readily available, and one must realize that barbiturates are only available to licensed veterinarians. Skill All methods require some degree of skill or training to administer correctly. Animal owners in remote locations, auction market employees, livestock transporters, and law enforcement personnel should be aware of, and appropriately trained in, at least o ne emergency euthanasia method. Cost Some methods require a larger initial investment (e.g., firearms and penetrating captive bolt gun) but are relatively inexpensive to use thereafter. Aesthetics Some methods of euthanasia "appear" less objectionable to the untrained eye. Most methods will result in some exaggerated muscular activity (e.g., leg movements and twitching) even when the animal is not experiencing any pain or distress. |
| Method | Human Safety | Animal Welfare | Skill | Required Cost | Aesthetics | Considerations |
| Gunshot | Moderate; firearm laws apply | Good | Moderate; correct placement essential | Low; after initial purchase | Fair; some blood and body movement | Distance from animal can be maintained |
| Penetrating Captive Bolt Gun | Good | Good | Moderate; correct placement essential | Low; after initial purchase | Fair; some blood and body movement | Contact with animal required |
| Barbiturate Overdose | Good | Excellent | Moderate; intravenous injections required | High | Good | Drug only available to licensed veterinarian |
| Exsanguination | Fair | Good; animal must already be unconscious | Moderate | Low | Poor; very bloody | Not sole method of euthanasia |
| Electrocution | Moderate to poor | Good; only if specialized equipment is used | Moderate | Low; after initial purchase | Fair; some body movement | Electricity required |
All methods require proper operator training, appropriate equipment, and good restraint. When all these factors are maximized, the risk of injury to the operator is minimized.
Gunshot
A .22-caliber long rifle, 9mm or .38-caliber gun can be used. The muzzle of the gun should be held at least 4 to 10 inches (10-25 cm) away from the skull when fired. The use of hollow-point or soft-nose bullets will increase brain tissue destruction an d reduce the chance of ricochet. When performed skillfully, euthanasia by gunshot induces immediate unconsciousness, is inexpensive, and does not require close contact with the animal. All humans and other animals should remain well out of the line of fire.
This method should only be attempted by individuals trained in the use of firearms and who understand the potential for ricochet. Care must be taken to minimize danger to the operator, observers, and other animals. Personnel must comply with all laws a nd regulations governing the possession and use of firearms. Be aware that firearm laws vary depending on state and local regulations.
Penetrating Captive Bolt Gun
When properly used, the penetrating captive bolt gun produces immediate brain tissue destruction that kills the animal. Captive bolts are powered by gunpowder, thus the selection of the cartridge strength should be appropriate for the size of the animal (i.e., adult vs. kids or lambs). Cartridge strength varies, so be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. The penetrating captive bolt gun should be placed very firmly against the skull at the same location previously described for gunshot. Animals must be adequately restrained to ensure proper placement of the captive bolt.
Maintenance and cleaning of the penetrating captive bolt gun, as described by the manufacturer, must be followed to ensure proper operation.
| Polled (hornless) Sheep | |
 | The proper site is either: (A) on midline, at the highest point of the head, aiming straight down toward the angle of the jaw, or (B) on midline, in the middle of the forehead, just above the level of the eyes, aiming down along the angle of the neck. |
| Horned Sheep | |
 | The proper site is either: (B) on midline, in the middle of the forehead, just above the level of the eyes, aiming down along the angle of the neck, or (C) on midline, just behind the bony ridge between the horns, aimed toward the back of the chin. |
| Goats | |
 | The proper site is: (D) on midline, just behind the bony ridge where the horns protrude, aimed toward the back of the chin. Note: Kids (less than 4 months of age) may be shot from the front as for sheep (B). |
Barbiturate Overdose
When properly administered by the intravenous route, barbiturate overdose (sodium pentobarbital) depresses the central nervous system, causing deep anesthesia that results in respiratory and cardiac arrest. This method of euthanasia results in minimal p ain (needle puncture) sensation. Barbiturate overdose is less disturbing to observers (i.e., more aesthetically acceptable) but also more expensive than other options. It is also illegal for a non-veterinarian to possess injectable euthanasia produc ts.
After barbiturate overdose, the carcass of the animal will be unfit for human or animal consumption. Keep in mind that house pets and wildlife that ingest portions of the carcass can be poisoned.
Exsanguination (massive blood loss)
This method can be used to ensure death immediately following stunning, induction of anesthesia, or unconsciousness. Because severe anxiety is associated with the hypoxia (lack of oxygen) caused by exsanguination, it must not be used as the sole method of euthanasia. The most common method is to lacerate the carotid arteries and jugular veins on both sides of the neck. A long, sharp knife is fully inserted in the upper one third of the neck behind the angle of the jaw and directed toward the spinal c olumn through the trachea, until bone is contacted. Successful severance of the carotids can be recognized by freely flowing, pulsing blood. This procedure is very disturbing to observers due to the large volume of blood loss.
Electrocution
Properly conducted electrocution induces immediate unconsciousness and death by cardiac arrest. One electrode is placed on either the forehead or in the hollow behind the ear and the other electrode is placed on the back or side of the body. "Head-only " electric stunning devices result in a reversible unconsciousness and should not be used as the sole means of euthanasia. For humane and safety reasons, only a commercially designed device should be used. Proper restraint equipment is required to corr ectly position the electrodes. Because electricity and specialized equipment are necessary, this method is practical in a very limited number of emergency situations.
Confirmation of death is essential. Immediately following the euthanasia method, a standing animal should collapse and may experience a period of muscle contraction (usually no longer than 20 seconds). This will be followed by a period of relaxa tion and some poorly coordinated kicking or paddling movements. The pupils of the eyes should be totally dilated. The animal must be monitored for five minutes to confirm death. Death may be confirmed by the absence of breathing, a heartbeat, and a co rneal reflex (blinking response). To check a corneal reflex, touch the animal's cornea (surface of the eye); there should be no response to the touch if the animal is deceased. The presence of any eye movement or blinking at this time is evidence of su stained or recovering brain activity and the individual should repeat the same or an alternative euthanasia procedure.
| Unacceptable Methods of Sheep & Goat Euthanasia |
Ethical and humane standards of euthanasia DO NOT permit the following methods of euthanasia for sheep and goats: • Manually applied blunt trauma to the head. • Injection of chemical agents into conscious animals (e.g., disinfectants, certain electrolytes such as KCl, non-anesthetic pharmaceutical agents). • Air embolism (e.g., the injection of a large amount of air into the circulatory system). • Electrocution with a 120-volt electrical cord. |
Animal carcasses should be disposed of promptly by a commercial rendering service or other appropriate means (on-farm burial, incineration, direct haul to a solid waste land fill). Disposal should be in accordance with all federal, state, and local regu lations.
Owners and producers should work with their veterinarian to determine which methods of euthanasia might be suitable in their management system. It is advisable to post the written emergency euthanasia plan in a centralized area as a guideline for the hu mane destruction of animals on the premises. The plan should be reviewed with new employees.
| Euthanasia Action PlanBusiness Name: ________________________________ Veterinarian Name & Phone: ________________________________ Rendering or Disposal Service: ________________________________ Date: ________________________________ Drafted By: _________________________________
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 California Department of Food and Agriculture Animal Health and Food Safety Services Animal Care Program 1220 N Street, Room A-107 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 654-1447 www.cdfa.ca.gov |  Veterinary Medicine Extension School of Veterinary Medicine One Shields Avenue Davis, CA 95616-8736 (530) 752-0855 www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vetext/home.html |
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