Intrahepatic Injection of Sodium Pentobarbital as an Alternative to Intraperitoneal Injection for the Euthanasia of Rats (Rattus norvegicus).

ABSTRACT: The most commonly accepted method of rat euthanasia in North America is intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbital (PB). However, misinjection can occur, and intraperitoneal PB may cause pain and distress. The objective of this study was to test an alternative method of euthanasia: intrahepatic injection of PB. A pilot study was conducted to develop a method of intrahepatic injections (evaluated using CT scans and test injections), followed by a full study comparing intraperitoneal (n = 14) and intrahepatic PB injections (n = 66) in adult rats. Full study outcomes were: 1) time from injection to loss of right- ing reflex (LORR), 2) time from injection to cessation of heartbeat (CHB), 3) number of failed euthanasia attempts, and 4) confirmation of successful intrahepati

SUBMITTER: Laferriere CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8956212 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature