Rabbit Euthanasia

Barbiturates

• Acceptable when administered intravenously
  
• Barbiturates injected intravenously induce rapid euthanasia.
  
• Barbiturates may also be administered to unconscious animals by intracardiac injection.
  
• Sodium pentobarbital and several pentobarbital combination drugs may be used for euthanasia.
  
• Barbiturates are controlled drugs and must be used under the supervision of personnel registered with the US Drug Enforcement Association (DEA).
  
• Sodium pentobarbital is a (DEA) Schedule II drug and therefore more difficult to obtain then the pentobarbital combinations marketed for euthanasia that are Schedule III drugs.
  
• Federal requirements for record keeping and locked storage must be followed..

Exsanguination

• May only be used as an adjunctive method to euthanize unconscious animals.