§ 31.129. Standards for administration of drugs for euthanasia.
An individual administering drugs for euthanasia shall comply with all of the following standards:
(1) A small domestic animal shall be restrained, as defined in § 31.102 (relating to definitions), after injection of drugs for euthanasia until the small domestic animal is unconscious, except as provided in paragraph (2).
(2) If a small domestic animal should not be held or restrained because holding or other physical restraint would either increase the anxiety or fear of the small domestic animal or would place the person holding or restraining the small domestic animal in physical danger, it shall be placed alone in an enclosure which is appropriate for the species and size of the small domestic animal and permits adequate visual observation of the small domestic animal, except that dogs or cats under 16 weeks of age or other small domestic animals which have not been weaned may be placed together in an enclosure with their littermates or dam, or both.
(3) Unless the small domestic animal to be euthanized is heavily tranquilized, anesthetized or comatose, an individual administering drugs for euthanasia shall have the assistance of an animal handler immediately available in the euthanasia area when the individual is administering an intravenous injection.
(4) Chemical restraint shall be used to minimize distress to the small domestic animal or danger to the staff, unless specific documented circumstances make the administration of chemical restraint more likely to cause more distress to the small domestic animal. Chemical restraint may be administered by routes as appropriate to the objectives of minimizing distress and maximizing safety.
(5) Intravenous injection of euthanasia solution shall be used on all dogs and cats 16 weeks of age and older and any other small domestic animal, unless the physical condition, size or behavior of the small domestic animal presents a danger to the individual performing the injection or the animal handler, or the physical restraint required for intravenous injection would cause unnecessary fear or anxiety in the small domestic animal.
(6) A drug for euthanasia may be administered by intraperitoneal injection to a small domestic animal only when the physical condition, size or behavior of the small domestic animal presents a danger to the individual performing the injection or the animal handler, the physical restraint required for intravenous injection would cause unnecessary fear or anxiety in the small domestic animal or the small size of the small domestic animal would make location and injection into a vein extremely difficult or impossible. The following apply:
(i) After an intraperitoneal injection of a drug for euthanasia, the small domestic animal shall be placed alone in an enclosure which is appropriate for the species and size of the small domestic animal and permits adequate visual observation of the small domestic animal and where the small domestic animal can be kept calm and free of anxiety. An exception may be made in the case of young littermates.
(ii) A small domestic animal which has received a drug for euthanasia by intraperitoneal injection shall be observed at least every 5 minutes after injection until death is verified.
(7) The gauge and length of the needle or catheter used shall be appropriate to minimize pain and distress for the size and species of the small domestic animal and the method of injection.
(8) A new, unused disposable needle or catheter of medical quality shall be used for the administration of drugs for euthanasia for each small domestic animal. Each needle or catheter shall be disposed of in a commercial sharps container immediately after a single use.
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