AVMA Guidelines for Rodent Euthanasia

CO2 Induction

“An optimal flow rate for CO2 euthanasia systems should displace 10% to 30% of the chamber or cage volume/min. Prefilled chambers are unacceptable.”
– American Veterinary Medical Association (2013) AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition, pg. 49

“Gradual-fill CO2 exposure causes aversion in rodents beginning at approximately a 15% concentration and lasting to onset of unconsciousness. If an appropriate gradual displacement rate is used, animals will lose consciousness before CO2 concentrations become painful. A 20%/min gradual displacement produces unconsciousness in 106 seconds at a CO2 concentration of 30%; a slower 10%/min displacement increases time to onset of unconsciousness to 156 seconds at a CO2 concentration of 21%.“
– American Veterinary Medical Association (2013) AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition, pg. 25

The AVMA Guidelines can be found here: https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Documents/euthanasia.pdf

*Applicable to mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, degus and cotton rats

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