Euthanasia?

[SkeletalFrog]

When these particular frogs start to get cold, they tend to go into aestivation.......they go to sleep. Freezing, in my opinion is just as viable as the methods mentioned here. It has the same effect, and in all honesty, takes less time to do the job. Frogs do not react the same as fish do to these anesthetics. I have seen this myself....the frogs don't always "just go gently to sleep".......they sometimes will have seizures as a reaction to the drugs. With freezing, they do simply shut down. They go into aestivation mode before the cells start to freeze and the whole process takes less than an hour. In the end, it is your choice as to which method you use.

Quoting the 2007 American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines on Euthanasia http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_we...euthanasia.pdf

"Cooling—It has been suggested that, when using physical methods of euthanasia in ectothermic species, cooling to 4 C will decrease metabolism and facilitate handling, but there is no evidence that whole body cooling reduces pain or is clinically efficacious. 206 Local cooling in frogs does reduce nociception, and this may be partly opioid mediated. 207 Immobilization of reptiles by cooling is considered inappropriate and inhumane even if combined with other physical or chemical methods of euthanasia. Snakes and turtles, immobilized by cooling, have been killed by subsequent freezing. This method is not recommended.13 Formation of ice crystals on the skin and in tissues of an animal may cause pain or distress. Quick freezing of deeply anes
thetized animals is acceptable.208 "

This is the definitive source for all euthanasia protocols.



More personally, I've used MS-222 in numerous surgeries on Rana, Osteopilus, and Bufo, and have never seen a "bad reaction". Given that it supresses activity in the central nervous system, including sensation, even if there *was* any adverse reaction the animal would by definition be unable to feel it. It's also incapable of producing seizures because it inhibits skeletal muscle contraction, hence why I can't use it for euthanasia prior to muscle physiology experiments.

Clove oil may produced muscle spasms at high concentrations, but also disables the nerves. No nerves, no sensation. It may not necessarily be pretty to look at, but it is physiologically impossible for the animal to feel it.

Metomidate is actually used for HUMAN anaesthesia in certain circumstances. It's also a central nervous system depressor, so any peripheral effects are literally not felt.