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Sample
Criteria for Euthanasia of Animals
- Rapid weight loss
(15-20% within a few days)
- Extended period
of weight loss progressing to emaciated state (spine becomes palpable
in rodents)
- Spreading area
of alopecia caused by disease
- Rough hair coat,
hunched posture, distended abdomen, or lethargy, especially if debilitating
or prolonged (3 days)
- Diarrhea, especially
if debilitating or prolonged (3 days) or unresponsive to treatment
- Coughing, rapid
or difficult breathing, rales, wheezing and nasal discharge
- Distinct icterus
and/or anemia
- Rapid growth of
mass or masses or clinical signs of neoplasia
- Central nervous
signs such as head tilt, tremors, spasticity, seizures, circling, paralysis
or paresis, especially if associated with anorexia
- Frank bleeding
from any orifice
- Markedly discolored
urine, polyuria or anuria
- Persistent self-induced
trauma Lesions interfering with eating or drinking
- Clinical signs
of suspected infectious disease requiring necropsy for diagnosis
Examples:
The cut-off
point for animals with neurological diseases should be chosen based upon
the appearance of related symptoms, such as seizures or circling, when
they interfere with eating and drinking.
Animals
with tumors on the face should be euthanized when the skin overlying the
tumors has ulcerated or there is evidence of persistent self-trauma
Approved
by the School of Medicine Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
9/96
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