|
Agent
|
Classification
|
Mode of action
|
Rapidity
|
Ease of Performance
|
Safety for Personnel
|
Species Suitability
|
Efficacy & comments
|
| Barbiturates |
Hypoxia attributable to depression of
vital centers |
Direct depression of cerebral cortex,
subcortical structures and vital centers; direct
depression of heart muscle |
Rapid onset of anesthesia |
Animal must be restrained; personnel
must be skilled to perform IV injection |
Safe except human abuse potential;
DEA-controlled substance |
Most species |
Highly effective when appropriately
administered; acceptable IV and IP in small animals |
| Potassium chloride (intracardially or
intravenously in conjunction with general anesthesia
only) |
Hypoxia |
Direct depression os cerebral cortex,
subcortical structures, and vital centers secondary to
cardiac arrest |
Rapid |
Requires training and specialized
equipment for remote injection anesthesia, and ability to
give IV injections of potassium chloride |
Anesthetics may be hazardous with
accidental human exposure |
Most species |
Highly effective, some clonic muscle
spasms may be observed |
| Inhalant anesthetics |
Hypoxia attributable to depression of
vital centers |
Direct depression of cerebral cortex,
subcortical structures and vital centers |
Moderately rapid onset of anesthesia,
some excitation may occur during induction |
Easily performed with closed container;
can be administered to large animals by means of a
mask |
Must be properly scavenged or vented to
minimize exposure to personnel |
Some amphibians, birds, cats, dogs, fur
bearing animals, rabbits, some reptiles, rodents and
other small mammals, zoo animals, fish, free ranging
wildlife |
Highly effective provided that subject
is sufficiently exposed, Not ether |
| Carbon dioxide (bottled gas only) |
Hypoxia attributable to depression of
vital centers |
Direct depression of cerebral cortex,
subcortical structures and vital centers; direct
depression of heart muscle |
Moderately rapid |
Used in closed container |
Minimal hazard |
Small laboratory animals, birds, cats,
small dogs, mink, zoo animals, amphibians, fish, some
reptiles, swine |
Effective, but time required may be
prolonged in immature and neonatal animals |
| Carbon monoxide (bottled gas only) |
Hypoxia |
Combines with hemoglobin, preventing its
combination with oxygen |
Moderate onset time; but insidious so
animal is unaware of onset |
Requires appropriately operated
equipment |
Extremely hazardous, toxic, and
difficult to detect |
Most small species including dogs, cats,
rodents, mink chinchillas, birds, reptiles, amphibians,
and zoo animals, rabbits |
Effective; acceptable only when
equipment is properly designed and operated |
| Microwave irradiation |
Brain enzyme inactivation |
Direct inactivation of brain enzymes by
rapid heating of brain |
Very rapid |
Requires training and highly specialized
equipment |
Safe |
Mice and rats |
Highly effective for special needs |
| Tricaine (methane sulfonate) TMS, MS
222) |
Hypoxia attributable to depression of
vital centers |
Depression of CNS |
Very rapid, depending on dose |
Easily used |
Safe |
Fish and amphibians |
Effective but expensive |
| Benzocaine hydrochloride |
Hypoxia attributable to depression of
vital centers |
Depression of CNS |
Very rapid, depending on dose |
Easily used |
Safe |
Fish, amphibians |
Effective but expensive |
| 2-Phenoxyethanol |
Hypoxia attributable to depression of
vital centers |
Depression of CNS |
Very rapid, depending on dose |
Easily used |
Safe |
Fish |
Effective but expensive |
| Penetrating captive bolt |
Physical damage to brain |
Direct concussion of brain tissue |
Rapid |
Requires skill, adequate restraint, and
proper placement of captive bolt |
Safe |
Horses, ruminants, swine |
Instant loss of consciousness but motor
activity may continue |
Emergency Information
