Eutanasi : en skonsam död

Abstract: This work is about euthanasia and how to use it on horses, dogs and cats. A description for each animal is done, about when it is time, why, which methods can be used and who is allowed to use them, how and where it shall be done. The methods we have concentrated on are: - Chemical destruction and the most common drugs for euthanatize horses, dogs and cats. - Physical disruption of the brain activity by a captive bolt, only for horses. The captive bolt only makes the horse unconscious and must always be followed by cutting off the vena jugularis. Then the horse dies because of loss of blood. No matter which method used for euthanizing, the animal must be declared to be dead by the operator before other measures. The testing criteria for death: muscle relaxation and cyanosis, cessation of reflex activity and pupillary dilatation, cessation of respiratory activity and cessation of all cardiac activity. After the animal has been declared dead, the carcass must be taken care of. The options that are brought up in this work are cremation, burial in cemetery or digging a grave at home, destruction of the carcass and slaughter of horses. Because of the strict laws concerning food hygiene in Sweden, most of the euthanatized horses go to destruction. There are differences how to euthanatizing a big horse compared to a dog or a cat. The later can be put on a table and calmly "go to sleep" while a horse often stands up during the euthanizing. When the horse "goes to sleep" it usually falls uncontrolled to the ground, which can be dramatic and unpleasant for the owner to observe.