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CO2 Euthanasia

Carbon dioxide for euthanasia is available in the necropsy rooms and is used in various laboratories. It is easy to use and is more aesthetically pleasing than other means of euthanasia such as decapitation and cervical dislocation. Mouse pups are more difficult to euthanize with carbon dioxide.

Procedure

Compressed CO2 gas will be allowed to flow into a non- CO2 pre-charged cage bottom or container. Gradual displacement of room air with CO2 will allow for the anesthetic effect of CO2 take place before asphyxiation. For successive euthanasia procedures make sure the euthanasia chamber is filled with room air before flooding with CO2 again. The least stress for the mice is by euthanizing them in their home cage and using the shoe box cages only once. If transferred into a euthanasia chamber, make sure you start with room air before starting the next cycle of euthanasia.
Allow sufficient time e.g. 6 min for adult mice and 15 minutes for newborn pups of CO2 exposure and verify death (cessation of respiration, reflexes, dilated pupils etc.).
Alternatively inducing death by a second means (e.g. cervical dislocation)
Check the animal to insure that the heart has stopped before disposing of the carcass. This may be done by performing a thoracotomy.

References

http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/2002/02.07.19/index.html