>>In college I worked in a lab which needed rats as experimental >>subjects. There I was taught a quick and efficient method of >>ending an animal's life, that didn't seem to have it linger or suffer >>*IF DONE CORRECTLY* > >This is the problem. The authorities that set down the regulations for >laboratories on animal welfare are quite strict in Europe and America. Yes. >Manual dislocation of the cervical vertebrae is allowed but only be >experienced people. (How they get experienced I don't know) You watch and watch and watch; then have someone with a keen eye watching you. You do it a few times on an already dead animal. [they also put them down with other means, injections and that] After so long you are 'experienced' and allowed to proceed as ordered without someone standing over you. It took fifteen before the professor was satisified that I could do it accurately and repeatedly (I never did botch a single one) I was trained because I was one of the few that had the 'nerve' to be able to do it. Several of the others working on the grant could not and would not.... >>You might inquire of your vet, they might give a discount as >>a gerbil is such a small animal, and the owner removes and >>takes care of the animal after the fact.... > >Like Sue, we have found that if you use the same vets regularly, then >minor things like euthanasia will often be free. When a course of >treatment has failed and euthanasia is the only way of resolving the >situation, this has always been free. For cats, in my experience, it has always been pay. The fees I mentioned seem to be standard here. They don't charge you for an office visit which is usually more than the euthanasia fee. The disposal fee is to have the animal cremated. If one took the animal with, they would not charge that...and it cost considerably more if you wanted the ashes returned. >I have always been present, and every time the gerbil has passed away >peacefully following the injection. The only time there has been a >problem has been with a rat which refused to die despite several doses >administered by an experienced vet. The rat was unconscious before the >procedure started, but it took a long time. Injection may be more humane, I agree. The animal is literally put to sleep, then passes from the overdose. I don't suggest anyone do home euthanasia, but discuss the need with your vet before the time. If you are a regular client, they may waive the fee for a small animal, or charge only nominally. My vet said the fee he quoted was 'walk in' and no office visit, and the owner takes the animal away afterwards. For something the size of a hamster, gerbil, guinea pig, mouse, or rat. By comparison I pay more for an injectable under my HMO health plan for co-pay. Deb Rebel's Rodent Ranch
