Euthanasia

Methods of humane killing of laboratory fish: FELASA Working Group recommendations

As commissioned by the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations, these working group recommendations define the requirements to achieve the humane killing of fish, compare methods of killing, recommend methods of killing depending on context, and detail protocols leading...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Mocho, J.-P., Blasco, J. R., Lundegaard, P. R. et al. 2025. Methods of humane killing of laboratory fish: FELASA Working Group recommendations. Laboratory Animals 59(5), 599–613.

Comparison of intrarenal and intravenous injections of sodium pentobarbital for euthanasia in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Peripheral venous access in rabbits can be difficult to obtain. When failure occurs, there is a dire need for alternative vascular access routes to be available. The AVMA categorizes intrarenal injection of pentobarbital as acceptable with conditions for euthanasia. Animals...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: LeGrand, J. L., Ozawa, S. M., Silverstein-Metzler, M. G. et al. 2025. Comparison of intrarenal and intravenous injections of sodium pentobarbital for euthanasia in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). JAALAS 64(4), 770–777.

Evaluating cervical dislocation methods, without using tension on the tail, for humanely killing adult laboratory mice

Cervical dislocation (CD) is a widely used method worldwide for humanely killing adult laboratory mice in accordance with national legislation, such as the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in the UK. However, concerns have been raised regarding the limitations and...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Davidge, A., Bulat, F., Vernet, A. 2025. Evaluating cervical dislocation methods, without using tension on the tail, for humanely killing adult laboratory mice. Laboratory Animals 59(5), 570–577.

Pathophysiology of penetrating captive-bolt stunning of horses

There has been limited research into the effectiveness of penetrating captive bolt (PCB) for stunning horses (Equus caballus) at slaughter. This study observed 100 horses at a commercial abattoir in Mexico, stunned using pneumatic PCB. Animals were assessed at the...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Fletcher, K. A., Benedetti, B., Limon, G. et al. 2025. Pathophysiology of penetrating captive-bolt stunning of horses. Animal Welfare 34, e51.

Decision trees for determining the fate of laboratory animals

Facilities involved in laboratory animal research often face ethical challenges such as: what should I do with the animals that are no longer suitable for experimental purposes? One of the common answers to this question is to kill them. And...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Euthanasia, Relocation & Transport, ReproductionAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Reshetnykov, M., Stumm, K., Zwick, M. et al. 2025. Decision trees for determining the fate of laboratory animals. Laboratory Animals 59(2), 157–168.

Current research and guidelines for euthanasia in laboratory fish with a focus on fathead minnows

This paper reviews the methods and approaches used to humanely anesthetize (render unconscious) and or euthanize (kill) laboratory fish (in research settings), with a specific focus on the fathead minnow. We surveyed the literature (333 scientific studies published 2004–2021) to...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Lavalle, C., Clarence, S., Khan, H. et al. 2025. Current research and guidelines for euthanasia in laboratory fish with a focus on fathead minnows. Laboratory Animals 59(3), 319–331.

Behavioral and neurophysiological effects of electrical stunning on zebrafish larvae

Two methods dominate the way that zebrafish larvae are euthanized after experimental procedures: anesthetic overdose and rapid cooling. Although MS-222 is easy to apply, this anesthetic takes about a minute to act and fish show aversive reactions and interindividual differences,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Burkhardt, D.-S., Leyden, C., Thomas, C. et al. 2025. Behavioral and neurophysiological effects of electrical stunning on zebrafish larvae. Lab Animal 54(2), 50–58.

Mouse aversion to induction with isoflurane using the drop method

Isoflurane anesthesia prior to carbon dioxide euthanasia is recognized as a refinement by many guidelines. Facilities lacking access to a vaporizer can use the “drop” method, whereby liquid anesthetic is introduced into an induction chamber. Knowing the least aversive concentration...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Bodnar, M. J., Makowska, I. J., Boyd, C. T. et al. 2025. Mouse aversion to induction with isoflurane using the drop method. Laboratory Animals 59(2), 169–177.

Hypothermia as a sole euthanasia method for neonatal mice (Mus musculus)

Per the AVMA euthanasia guidelines, there are no data supporting the use of hypothermia as a solitary method of euthanasia for neonatal mice. However, the use of a secondary physical method of euthanasia, such as decapitation, could be time-consuming and...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Tang, N.-K., Theil, J. H., Oates, R. S. 2025. Hypothermia as a sole euthanasia method for neonatal mice (Mus musculus). Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 64(3), 500–506.

Quantifying the welfare impact of air asphyxia in rainbow trout slaughter for policy and practice (2025)

The effective improvement of animal welfare requires quantitative methods to compare diverse impacts across practices and policies on a common, relatable scale. The Welfare Footprint Framework (WFF) fulfills this need by providing a standardized welfare impact measure: cumulative time in...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Fish, Trout

Citation: Schuck-Paim, C., Alonso, W. J., Pereira, P. A. et al. 2025. Quantifying the welfare impact of air asphyxia in rainbow trout slaughter for policy and practice. Scientific Reports 15(1), 19850.