Current through Reg. 49, No. 38; September 20, 2024
(a) Only
sodium pentobarbital may be used to euthanize a dog or cat in the custody of an
animal shelter.
(b) When sodium
pentobarbital is used to euthanize a dog or cat, the following requirements
apply.
(1) The preferential route of
administration of sodium pentobarbitalis intravenous injection by hypodermic
needle. Other routes considered to be acceptable are:
(A) intraperitoneal injection by hypodermic
needle; or
(B) intra-organ, limited
to intraosseous, intracardiac, intrahepatic, intrasplenic, and intrarenal,
injection by hypodermic needle.
(2) Any injection must be administered using
a new, undamaged sterilized hypodermic needle of a size suitable for the size
and species of the animal.
(3)
Injection shall be conducted in an area out of public view and out of the view
of another animal, except when euthanizing unweaned/nursing animals with their
mother; when euthanizing a mother animal with her offspring, the mother animal
shall be euthanized first immediately followed by euthanasia of her offspring.
Additionally, the carcass(es) of any animal(s) shall be removed from the
euthanasia area prior to a live animal(s) entering that area.
(4) The area used for injection shall be in a
quiet location and have sufficient lighting to allow for visual accuracy during
the injection process.
(5) A dose
of sodium pentobarbital appropriate for the animal's weight shall be
administered to that animal through the route most appropriate for that
animal.
(6) Each animal given
sodium pentobarbital by intraperitoneal injection must be given 3 to 4 times
the intravenous dose.
(7) Each
animal given sodium pentobarbital by intraperitoneal injection shall be placed
in a quiet, darkened area and, except when euthanizing unweaned/nursing animals
with their mother, separated from physical contact with any other animal(s)
during the dying process. When euthanizing a mother animal with her offspring,
the mother animal shall be euthanized first immediately followed by euthanasia
of her offspring.
(8) Intra-organ
injection shall not be used unless the animal is, unconscious or anesthetized
so that the animal is unable to feel pain.
(9) The carcass of any animal(s) euthanized
by sodium pentobarbital must be stored and disposed of in a manner that
minimizes the potential for scavenging by animals or humans.
(c) Any animal other than a dog or
cat, including birds and reptiles, in the custody of an animal shelter shall be
humanely euthanized only in accordance with the methods, recommendations, and
procedures of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in the latest
edition of the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals
applicable to that species of animal.
(d) When commercially compressed carbon
monoxide gas is used to euthanize an animal(s), the following requirements
apply.
(1) It must be performed in a
commercially manufactured carbon monoxide chamber or one designed and
constructed, at a minimum, to equal the effectiveness of a commercially
manufactured chamber.
(2) The
chamber must be located outdoors or in a well-ventilated room.
(3) The chamber must be airtight and equipped
with the following:
(A) an exhaust fan for
indoor chambers which is capable of evacuating all gas from the chamber prior
to the chamber being opened and is connected by a gas-type duct to the
outdoors;
(B) a gas flow regulator
and flow meter for the canister;
(C) a gas concentration gauge;
(D) an accurate temperature gauge for
monitoring the interior of the chamber;
(E) if located indoors, a carbon monoxide
monitor on the exterior of the chamber that is connected to an audible alarm
system, which will sound in the room containing the chamber;
(F) explosion-proof electrical equipment if
equipment is exposed to carbon monoxide;
(G) a view-port with either internal lighting
or external lighting sufficient to allow visual surveillance of any animal(s)
within the chamber; and
(H) if
designed to euthanize more than one animal at a time, independent sections or
cages to separate individual animals.
(4) The gas concentration process must
achieve at least a 6% carbon monoxide gas concentration not to exceed 10% due
to flammability and explosiveness throughout the chamber within 5 minutes after
the introduction of carbon monoxide into the chamber is initiated.
(5) The ambient temperature inside the
chamber should not exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 degrees Celsius) when it
contains a live animal(s). For an outdoor chamber, achievement may be
facilitated by use of the chamber during early morning.
(6) All equipment, as specified in paragraph
(3)(A) - (H) of this subsection, must be in proper working order and used at
all times during the operation of the chamber.
(7) An animal(s) must be left in the chamber
with a continuous gas supply for a minimum of 15 minutes.
(8) The chamber must be thoroughly vented
prior to removing any carcasses.
(9) The chamber must be thoroughly cleaned
after the completion of each cycle. Chamber surfaces must be constructed and
maintained so they are impervious to moisture and can be readily
sanitized.
(10) Operation,
maintenance, and safety instructions and guidelines must be displayed
prominently in the area containing the chamber.
(11) Carbon monoxide shall not be used to
euthanize any animal reasonably presumed to be less than 16 weeks of age.
Carbon monoxide shall also not be used to euthanize any animal that could be
anticipated to have decreased respiratory function, such as the elderly, sick,
injured, or pregnant. Such animals may be resistant to the effects of carbon
monoxide and the time required to achieve death in these animals may be
significantly increased. In animals with decreased respiratory function, carbon
monoxide levels rise slowly, making it more likely that these animals will
experience elevated levels of stress.
(12) Only compatible animals of the same
species may be placed in the chamber simultaneously.
(13) No live animal(s) may be placed in the
chamber with a dead animal(s).
(e) Prior to using any method of euthanasia,
all available measures should be taken to minimize the fear, anxiety, and
distress of the animal scheduled for euthanasia.
(f) When using any of the allowable methods
of euthanasia, each animal must be monitored between the time euthanasia
procedures have commenced and the time death occurs, and the animal's body must
not be disposed of until death is confirmed by examination of the animal for
cessation of vital signs.
(g) As
specified under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §
821.055,
a person (excluding licensed veterinarians) may not euthanize any animal in the
custody of an animal shelter unless the person has successfully completed a
training course in the proper methods and techniques for euthanizing animals
not later than three years before the date the person euthanizes the animal.
The training course must be pre-approved by the department. A person has until
the 120th day following the date of initial employment to complete this
training.
