Procedures to Follow in Case of Emergencies
or to Prevent Further Animal Suffering from Illness or Accident
When raising cattle, there is always a risk an animal will
become seriously injured, fail to thrive or become so ill that
nay treatment in unsuccessful or impractical. Experienced
livestock owners occasionally need to make decisions regarding
when animals are beyond treatment and it is simply more humane
to euthanise the animal. Active rather than passive (let them
die on their own) euthanasia of poorly convalescent cattle is an
accepted practice and the owner's responsibility.
FIREARMS:
The use of a firearm is most appropriate when the animal is
partially mobile and it would cause undue suffering to move the
animal to a restraining chute. The safe use of firearms is
critical and means no persons, livestock or property should be
in the line of sight between the shooter and the animal or
behind the animal. The bullet should enter the animal directly
from the front (midline, between the eyes and ears), in line
with the rest of the animal's body and pitched in line with the
slope of the neck (Figures 1 & 2). If the animal is young,
and the head is turned to the side, the bullet may pass through,
endangering other animals and people.
A large bore shotgun (20 gauge or greater) is a good choice
for a confined area such as a auction yard or feedlot pen, as it
will quickly and effectively euthanise the animal. A shotgun can
be used if the distance is not over 10 meters. If the animal is
non-ambulatory, using a .22 caliber rifle is acceptable since
the distance between the end of the muzzle and the skull is
short. However, occasionally destruction of the brain is
insufficient and the unconscious animal may need to be bled to
quickly euthanise. It is acceptable to use a high-powered rifle
in an open field if no buildings, roadways, vehicles, other
animals or people are nearby.
LETHAL INJECTION (Should be done by a veterinarian or trained
technician):
Pharmaceutical mechanisms used to produce death, cause either
a narcotic overdose or paralyze the life functions (heartbeat,
respiration) with a noxious chemical. The animal must be
restrained before the injection (usually an intravenous one),
can be given. Euthanasia by injection is usually without
struggle, vocalization or bleeding and is therefore the method
of choice.
Animals destroyed by lethal injection should be buried to
prevent scavengers from consuming the carcass and being affected
by drug residue in the tissues. Lethal injection is also the
preferred method if it is necessary to preserve the brain tissue
for laboratory use (for example, when rabies is suspected).
CAPTIVE BOLT:
A captive bolt device uses a small powder cartridge that when
activated, drive a bolt through the skull and into the brain,
causing immediate death. Again, the animal must be incapacitated
by its injury or restrained in a chute. The device must be place
either on the front of the head (midline, halfway between the
eyes and ears) or behind the skull (midline, very high on the
neck, device pointing to the nose.) See Figures 1 & 2.
Figure 1 - Shows the location of the brain within the
skull of an older bovine and the correct placement and direction
of shot or captive bold penetration. Note the direction into the
skull is perpendicular with the line of the neck.
Figure 2 - Shows the general lower position of the
brain in a calf, which means the correct placement of the
captive bolt or the aim of the firearm is lower as well. Note
the direction is the same as in a mature bovine and the point of
impact is in the center of the skull between the ears.
STUNNING:
To stun, an animal must be incapacitated by its injury or
restrained in a chute, so there is no movement. A stout blow
with a heavy hammer or maul, striking the front of the skull
midline between the eyes and ears (Figures 1 & 2) will cause
severe cerebral injury and immediate death. For euthanasia, the
blow must be forceful enough to crush the brain thereby causing
all life process to cease, especially heartbeat and respiration.
In case of an emergency please refer to the telephone
number listed below:
- Saskatchewan SPCA: (306) 382-7722
- Saskatchewan Brand Inspectors: (306) 933-6191
- Saskatchewan District Veterinarians:
- (306) 780-5220 (Regina)
- (306) 975-4185 (Saskatoon)
- (306) 778-5030 (Swift Current)
- (306) 554-2202 (Wynyard)
- (306) 786-5300 (Yorkton)
- (306) 937-3633 (Battleford)
- (306) 691-3450 (Moose Jaw)
- (306) 927-2255 (North Portal)
- (306) 953-8614 (Prince Albert)
- Saskatoon Processing Company: (306) 934-4887
