longest friggin five minutes of my life...

I'm trying to find the article for you Aleesha but I remember reading (it was a lab report on humane euthanization of rats) that CO2 on rats under 16 days of age tends to be not as effective or quick as on rats older than 16 days of age. It may be due to some change as they mature or simply that in nursing animals they tend to be nose breathers more than mouth breathers to facilitate the act of nursing. I'll keep trying to find it as it was very informative.

I'm sorry you went through this with the pups. I've been incredibly lucky to time my litters so we haven't had to put any down other than the very rare health issue popping up or a couple of adults for temperment problems.

If having to euthanize extras is upsetting hon you may want to look at options. We sell our extras off to another herper but you can always look at trading them to a pet store for store credit for dry supplies or donating them to a raptor rescue if one exists near you (they are always generally looking for clean rodents/baby chicks to feed their hungry feathered rescues).

I have always used dry ice. I just put the rats in a cooler and put a piece of dry ice in a smaller bucket inside the cooler. Then to make the dry ice release the CO2 faster I add a little water to the smaller bucket that is holding the dry ice. They are always dead when I check on them in 5 minutes. I never hear them struggling inside the cooler so I assume it is painless. If I had to do it more often I would probably make a CO2 chamber but I usually need to freeze off excess once every few months.

Aww hun, I am so sorry to hear about all the pain this has caused you :tears: You are brave to continue trying, and I hope it does get a whole lot easier for you.*hugs*

I'm so pleased... I was able to talk to the great guy who supplies the petstores I frequent with mice and ratties. So I told him about what happened yesterday (started crying right there in the middle of the store - I was so embarrassed) and I asked him how I can do it better and more effectively as I do not feel our experience yesterday was at all acceptable.

He told me to go get the (can't remember what it's called) tire filler upper thingy from a bicycle tire... and to get attach it to a piece of tubing... then to get (from the bicycle store) an emergency co2 chamber and the co2 units. he said you just attach the chamber (with a unit inside) to the 'tire filler upper thingy' and release the gas slowly.

he said they'll all be dead within minutes.

since i already have the cooler with all the holes etc... it should be easy to do.

i feel so much better. my hubby said it'll be easy for him to make that up for us.

*whew* at least my lesson from yesterday was shared here... for future members to read and learn from. don't use the vinegar and baking soda... it sucks. use co2 chambers instead please everyone :please:

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

I'm so pleased... I was able to talk to the great guy who supplies the petstores I frequent with mice and ratties. So I told him about what happened yesterday (started crying right there in the middle of the store - I was so embarrassed) and I asked him how I can do it better and more effectively as I do not feel our experience yesterday was at all acceptable.

He told me to go get the (can't remember what it's called) tire filler upper thingy from a bicycle tire... and to get attach it to a piece of tubing... then to get (from the bicycle store) an emergency co2 chamber and the co2 units. he said you just attach the chamber (with a unit inside) to the 'tire filler upper thingy' and release the gas slowly.

he said they'll all be dead within minutes.

since i already have the cooler with all the holes etc... it should be easy to do.

i feel so much better. my hubby said it'll be easy for him to make that up for us.

*whew* at least my lesson from yesterday was shared here... for future members to read and learn from. don't use the vinegar and baking soda... it sucks. use co2 chambers instead please everyone :please:

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Wow! That is a good idea. Will have to look into that! Thanks!:carrot:

ya don't forget the tire filler upper thingy... cause that's the most important part!

:rofl: i'm soooooo articulate :P

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

ya don't forget the tire filler upper thingy... cause that's the most important part!

:rofl: i'm soooooo articulate :P

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Don't worrie!!:D :8:

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

I have a Co2 chamber but it has a big paintball gun Co2 bottle with a valve on it. Put rats in close top, open Co2 valve a little for like 5 to 10 secs and they go to sleep, close valve and leave them to sleep for like 5 minutes. Then they are ready to feed.

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Exactly! But mine is a free standing canister. I put them into a large bag, put the CO2 in. When they're done, squeeze out the air, and pop 'em into the freezer already packaged!

'Leesha, it's HARD!!! I still feel bad, but know that my snakes eat healthier. But it IS hard. :(

RuLyn

I also used a paintball canister. Worked like a charm, but it takes quite a bit longer than 5-10 seconds. A Co2 concentration THAT high is going to be very painful (causing burning eyes, burning throat etc). You get a certain timing down that is comfortable, and although mine takes a longer they seem to go to sleep with little knowledge of the atmospheric change.

It's a learning experience. Similar when you learn to pull their necks properly, it requires a whole bunch of mistakes (twitchers, skinned tails, etc.) to learn how to do it right. Just practice. :sunny: