longest friggin five minutes of my life...

no thanks chris. :rainon: i couldn't do that to a living critter.

and joe... i agree with you. taking a few extra minutes to slowly put them to sleep is much better and much more humane.

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

and joe... i agree with you. taking a few extra minutes to slowly put them to sleep is much better and much more humane.

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Well, here's the way I did it. Keeping in mind I'm a techie, so this seemed relatively normal to me :D.

I bought a digital Co2 monitor, and disabled the alarm on it. I threw that in the tub and did several practice runs, until I could quite easily attain a Co2 concentration level of about 6%. Anything over 10% is both inhumane (my opinion) and hazadardous (Co2 at 10% concentration is highly flamable).

Typically, they will become unconcious in about 45 seconds, although it can take a minute or if they are younger or have respitory problems. At that concentration, death will come within 2 to 4 minutes.

The numbers above are very effective, and this is one of two methods of feeder euthanasia supported by the "big three" (HSUS, AVMA and AHA). The alternative being Sodium Pentobarbitol, which isn't exactly sitting around Walmart :D.

Oh, and you can call me Justin. But only because I like you :D.

sorry justin... :P

that's a great way to know what the levels are. too bad you can't have the monitor outside the tub with just a probe inside. that would be waaaay better. ;)

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

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).

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shoot i totally missed the first three posts on page 4.

jo... these pups were 30 days old.

i am hoping to time my litters much better... to no longer have extras. if we continue to have extras then i'll simply let a breeder mama retire or rehome it... either way... we'll lower our breeders until we have the right amount for the snakes. although i do have to remember... adam has 4 babies waiting for CITES to come... and then we'll be feeding them as well. so that'll make a huge difference to our rattie needs.

man i've been out of it. i didn't read most of the threads everyone posted. thanks all for your great advice and support. i sooo appreciate it. i was in a fog of :rainon:

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

sorry justin... :P

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It's no biig deal :D... my ex-mother-in-law called me Jason once, 2 years after I married her daughter.

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that's a great way to know what the levels are. too bad you can't have the monitor outside the tub with just a probe inside. that would be waaaay better. ;)

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You can... they start around $700.00 if your interested :).