Help needed with Euthanasia

[Snotty]

One thing I would add on gassing for those not so familiar with it, is it should be done slowly*. If an animal is dumped into straight C02 it suffocates as it is still concious and alert and suddenly cannot breath. If the C02 level is increased steadily though it becomes sedated > sleepy > sleep > dead.

It is generally the way to go with birds and mammals, but does need a little thought also. As CaptainRatbag points out birds will generally succumb fast due to the different metabolism also different age/sizes change the rate.

*Slowly not as in hours but usually over a few minutes letting the C02 ratio rise. I only point it out as this is one of the situations where as quickly as possible is not the best, especially for birds which will frighten easily.
** A tub would work well with the sodastream or similar option. (I just have horror visions of some dude trying to connect a peachie to the car exhaust).

 

[Darlyn]

I used to snap chickens necks to kill them quickly. This may sound horrendous, but it is quick simple
and doesn't involve putting your bird in stressful situations. I don't reccomend you do it. But if you have a friend
who has done it before it I would ask for their assistance.

 

[CaptainRatbag]

I used to snap chickens necks to kill them quickly. This may sound horrendous, but it is quick simple
and doesn't involve putting your bird in stressful situations. I don't reccomend you do it. But if you have a friend
who has done it before it I would ask for their assistance.

This is very true, fast & effective. However, the op's bird is prolly like a family member being 12 years old.... imo, it would take a very hard person to 'snap its neck' chop off its head, drop a brick on it etc, etc..... I think the op thinks like me, that a pet or favorite you have had for years, deserves better than to have the last thing it sees is its keeper and friend (the op) violently attacking/terrifying/hurting it. He is seeking a non violent..... calm way of stopping the birds suffering, both for his birds feelings and his own piece of mind. The last thing he will want to see of his little mate, is a twisted neck/blood/missing head etc.:cry:

I feel his pain, choose C02 for a peaceful end

 

[Darlyn]

This is very true, fast & effective. However, the op's bird is prolly like a family member being 12 years old.... imo, it would take a very hard person to 'snap its neck' chop off its head, drop a brick on it etc, etc..... I think the op thinks like me, that a pet or favorite you have had for years, deserves better than to have the last thing it sees is its keeper and friend (the op) violently attacking/terrifying/hurting it. He is seeking a non violent..... calm way of stopping the birds suffering, both for his birds feelings and his own piece of mind. The last thing he will want to see of his little mate, is a twisted neck/blood/missing head etc.:cry:

I feel his pain, choose C02 for a peaceful end

A. I didn't suggest the OP do it.
B. Also didn't suggest a brick or to chop it's head off.
C. As you state yourself it's fast and effective.
D. Done properly the pet would have no time to think anything.

I also thought the OP was seeking a cheap effective way of terminating his pets life I gave him one.
"Violently attacking" is getting pretty emotive which is unnecessary.

 

[benjamind2010]

I feel his pain, choose C02 for a peaceful end

Sorry, CO2 is not a peaceful end. Barbiturates, on the other hand, are super peaceful. I think if this person cares enough about his pet that he would spend the money and have the bird injected with Valabarb/Pentobarb and be put out of it's misery in a most humane manner.

I wouldn't do CO2 to a dog, and I wouldn't do it to a bird either. Unless you can find some sort of anaesthetic which isn't generally available your choices are limited to 1 - barbiturates, which means seeing a vet and getting them to carry it out. Sad, but true.

 

[Darlyn]

Sorry, CO2 is not a peaceful end. Barbiturates, on the other hand, are super peaceful. I think if this person cares enough about his pet that he would spend the money and have the bird injected with Valabarb/Pentobarb and be put out of it's misery in a most humane manner.

I wouldn't do CO2 to a dog, and I wouldn't do it to a bird either. Unless you can find some sort of anaesthetic which isn't generally available your choices are limited to 1 - barbiturates, which means seeing a vet and getting them to carry it out. Sad, but true.

As stated by Ramsayi OP has 3 methods available, so it may be sad but it's not true.

 

[Snotty]

Sorry, CO2 is not a peaceful end. Barbiturates, on the other hand, are super peaceful. I think if this person cares enough about his pet that he would spend the money and have the bird injected with Valabarb/Pentobarb and be put out of it's misery in a most humane manner.

I wouldn't do CO2 to a dog, and I wouldn't do it to a bird either. Unless you can find some sort of anaesthetic which isn't generally available your choices are limited to 1 - barbiturates, which means seeing a vet and getting them to carry it out. Sad, but true.

I would not like to get into an argument but it is hardly that simple. CO2 is an approved method with every Veterinary Association I know off. There have been numerous studies into it going back at least forty years - even with dogs. Barbiturates of course are nice in theory but there are many practical issues, for very small animals even getting it in is a major problem, for larger animals the amounts required cause more problems. Seizures are also not unknown before death. The ideal for small animals is an anaesthetic gas - isoflurane etc. even then they are not fool proof, although in the real world that is not often available or practical.

I also noticed the above comments from the RSPCA paper but it should be pointed out that the distress mentioned is based anecdotally from humans exposed to high CO2 levels so it is not conclusive at all.

None of it is nice but it is something that often needs to be done, and ultimately whatever method is chosen is based on compromise and will never be perfect.

 

[andynic07]

Sorry put the wrong link up. The one I was after is a PDF

 

[CaptainRatbag]

Anyway MrHerp, let us know how you get on

I certainly hope you get to spend a bit more time with him before he goes to the big cage in the sky

 

[Hamalicious]

Alright so just to let everyone know, my little mate passed around 9am this morning of natural causes, no pain or stress, he just went to sleep in his cage and didn't wake up. I'm happy that this was the best option for both of us. He's been a good friend for 12 years now and if you could all see the view of the bush land from my deck you'd know he had a great life. Thanks to everyone who gave advice or help.

 

[SarahScales]

I'm so glad to hear that your little one passed away in peace.

Just for future reference, if you need to have a bird put down humanely, contact your local pigeon flying club. It sounds obscure but they deal with extensive avian injury due to the risks associated with the sport and most fliers themselves are adequate at putting birds down without vet help. I know this as my father is a pigeon flier but also a passionate animal lover.

 

[Darlyn]

Sorry for your loss, but I'm glad you didn't have to do it.

 

[CaptainRatbag]

As Darlyn said ^ Condolences sent MrHerp

 

[mikey_mike]

I realise its a bit late to wade into this discussion. Nevertheless...

Firstly sorry about the sick bird. Glad its all over.
Secondly Im impressed with the number of well considered responses to this thread.

Ive euthenased a large number of birds - mostly feral rock doves, but a couple of other species as well. Ive tried all the methods discussed here as well as an overdose of inhalational anaesthetic.
All methods have the potential to cause distress to a healthy bird - sick birds usually have little physiological reserve and are killed easily, healthy birds have the potential to suffer more.

My recomendations would be: avoid car exhausts - hot gases seem to make animals suffer. If youre not squeamish direct, blunt force can be guaranteed to be instant, but its messy. On the rare occasions I kill a feral these days I use CO2. Usually works quickly without any apparent distress but not always. Ive no idea why it occasionally upsets birds.

if I were killing significant quantities these days Id consider copying Phillip Nitschke and importing nitrogen. If he thinks its good for humans I reckon a bird would die painlessly.

Finally vets are obviously the experts in this regard, but be mindful of any distress caused by transport / waiting for a vet appointment.

 

[SarahScales]

Birds have fragile necks, personally we quickly snap their necks. It's quick, clean, immediate and humane.

 

[Hamalicious]

Sorry but I disagree with it being humane and there is far too much room for error. Also, an pet I've had for more than half my life deserves a nice end to life. Not just a quick easy way for me to kill it.

 

[Stevo2]

I requested some advice from an Avian Vet in Brisbane (Dr Adrian Gallagher, Brisbane Bird Vet) - this is their response, sorry it came too late to be of any assistance:

"Sorry for the late reply I needed to ask Adrian about this. Adrian said that Cardon Dioxide is found to be an agonal death so would not be a humane method of euthanaisia. The most humane method would be euthanaisia at a veterinary clinic. The fee they were quoted would most likely include a consultation. 12 years of age may not be old for that species and the vets may not have been comfotable euthanaising the bird without talking about other treatment options."

 

[saximus]

IAdrian said that Cardon Dioxide is found to be an agonal death so would not be a humane method of euthanaisia.

Is this part only referring to birds or is it meant to be a general statement? If it's the latter then it seems like a pretty uninformed response since it is an accepted method from a number of sources

 

[Stevo2]

Is this part only referring to birds or is it meant to be a general statement? If it's the latter then it seems like a pretty uninformed response since it is an accepted method from a number of sources

It was answered in regards to a direct question about this bird to an Avian specialist Vet. Nothing general, or uninformed, about it at all.

 

[Hamalicious]

All I can say is that I'm not surprised a vet would say the only option is to pay them to do it. If animal well fair groups condone carbon dioxide then I think it's a reasonable alternative.