Does CO2 cause rodents to sufficate?

[jwk811]

Does CO2 cause rodents to sufficate? What does the Co2 actually do when using it to kill the rodent? Does it fall just fall asleep peacfully because of the anesthesia?

[daniel1983]

Yes they sufficate. Also, be aware of our search function there are tons of threads already concerning this topic

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...searchid=94154

[daniel1983]

Here is some good reading from one of those threads:

A couple of helpful links ...

2000 Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia - http://www.researchtraining.org/refe...0%20Report.pdf

GUIDELINES FOR USE OF CERVICAL DISLOCATION FOR RODENT EUTHANASIA - http://labanimals.stanford.edu/Guidelines/Cerv_Dis.html

-adam

[jwk811]

C02 isnt too mean... Ive seen rats die by this and it seems rather peaceful and it is recommended by vets

[elevatethis]

Yes they sufficate.

Its actually not suffocation...hypoxemia is the actual process.

We breathe a constant mix of substances in air...mainly nitorgen, CO2, oxygen.....C02 in low levels is completely harmless, a depressant at moderate levels, and deadly in high concentrations.

[jwk811]

Oh, I see what your saying. But when I hear suffication it sounds like it hurts the mouse. Does just CO2 feel like your holding your breathe for a long time until you pass out? Or does it feel the same but you'll pass out peacfully?

[elevatethis]

This http://www.researchtraining.org/ref...00%20Report.pdf is a really good read...it explains the process behind it in detail.

Its a painless process when done properly. The thread I started in the feeders forum has one member commenting on how they "prime" the chamber. Per the link above, that is actually NOT appropriate as sudden exposure to even moderate levels of CO2 can cause distress.