Cervical Dislocation of Rats -

[Highline Reptiles South]

Do any of you use cervical dislocation of rats? It seems most gas but it seems this is an equally humane way of euthanizing rats prior to feeding.

I fed off two rats tonight and used this method for the first time using a screwdriver to hold the neck. It was somewhat distasteful but they seem to sort of turn off like a light switch.

I had one get bit last week and will likely use this method moving forward. Was wondering what the general consensus was on using this method and the ethics of using this as a method of euthanasia.

[llovelace]

It is an acceptable method.....but when you have alot of snakes to feed using gas is the prefered method for obvious reasons.

[Highline Reptiles South]

good point - i only have 8 so i can knock it out way faster and feed while still up to temp....

[gardenfiend138]

it's pretty much the quickest way to get it done. I've heard stories of people stripping the skin off the tail though (yes, just the skin! gross...), so just grab it close to the base! I don't see how it could be any less humane than CO2, it's just the more hands-on approach

[Highline Reptiles South]

yea - i'm a convert - not for the faint of heart however

[ed4281]

Yea this is an acceptable method of humane euthanasia most commonly used in labs. I have however had the tail skin come off in my hand and it's gross. You really need to grasp up close to the tail base to avoid this.

[Pyr0kinesis]

Do any of you kill adult male rats (500+ grams) this way?

[Michelle.C]

When I was feeding rats out of my colony, I grabbed right above the rear legs (around the hips) instead of the tail. This is better for larger animals and you don't have to worry about stripping the flesh on their tails.

[girlundertherainbow]

It's not humane if the tail slips. I still prefer f/t.

[RichsBallPythons]

It's not humane if the tail slips. I still prefer f/t.

How you think your rats became frozen. Some breeders use co2 some use cervical dislocation.