Is this humane?

[PythonBreeder]

Is putting a leopard gecko in the freezer a humane way of euthinization? I just can't see myself to do it. But I was told to take it to a vet or euthinize it and I can't pay the vet bill now.

[PrioBull]

yes it is, IMO once they goes in the freezer, they just go to sleep due to the cold, very little pain.

[Boanerges]

Short answer: Most people who breed leo's would say "No" not humane to just put them in a freezer:
http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=44088
http://www.geckoforums.net/showthrea...hlight=freezer

[djansen]

I say bag then freezer.

[panthercz]

Fridge then freezer.
My father worked at a veterinary diagnostic center and said that other than putting something to sleep or destroying the brain instantly, freezing is a pretty humane way to euthanize.

Can't say for sure how it works in reptiles but in mammals freezing to death really isn't that painful. Many people who have survived severe hypothermia say you really don't feel anything. They just become very sleepy, disorientated and numb.

I loved in the links Boanerges provided, one persons recommended "humane" way was to jam a needle into the heart and inject it with a barbiturate, yeah, real humane. Might as well draw and quarter it at that point.

[olstyn]

*Maybe* it's different for reptiles, but as someone who has worked in a -15 Fahrenheit freezer with less than adequate gloves, I can tell you that having your extremities freeze is definitely painful. If I had to die and was given the choice between freezing to death and lethal injection, I'd take the needle every time. I've also seen a gecko euthanized by lethal injection before, and there were no spasms or other visible signs of pain, and it was over very quickly. (Rest in peace, Harvey; I still miss you.)

[jglass38]

I guess my question is, have any studies been done on how much pain is felt with each method? I know people always say, this method or that method is the least painful. How do we know for sure? I wasn't aware that geckos can be euthanized with CO2. I thought it wasn't effective in reptiles. Maybe it was only snakes and baby mammals?

[panthercz]

*Maybe* it's different for reptiles, but as someone who has worked in a -15 Fahrenheit freezer with less than adequate gloves, I can tell you that having your extremities freeze is definitely painful. If I had to die and was given the choice between freezing to death and lethal injection, I'd take the needle every time. I've also seen a gecko euthanized by lethal injection before, and there were no spasms or other visible signs of pain, and it was over very quickly. (Rest in peace, Harvey; I still miss you.)

Key word is extremities. Having your toes or fingers freeze is different than your entire body at once. I agree 100% about having extremities get really cold (living in Nebraska I deal with it every year) but having your entire body and core temp start to go is different.
Which also why I say go fridge 1st then move to freezer.

Preferably I say vet and have it gassed, but like the OP said money is an issue.

[PythonBreeder]

Thanks everybody. I'll definately be going with fridge then freezer method. Also thank you Panther for remembering the money issue in the first place.