New AVMA Guidelines for Rodent Euthanasia Using CO2
The recently-released 2020 AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals specify a change in procedures for euthanizing rodents with carbon dioxide. The new Guidelines require a displacement rate of 30 to 70% of the chamber volume with carbon dioxide per minute (whereas the previous 2013 Guidelines specified a displacement rate of 10% to 30% of the chamber volume per minute).
All carbon dioxide chambers in animal facility space will be modified in accordance with the new AVMA Guidelines. Investigators who maintain their own carbon dioxide chamber should contact DLAR (email:dlar@pitt.edu; 412-648-8950) for assistance in modifying the chamber to comply with the revised AVMA Euthanasia Guidelines.
We appreciate the assistance of investigators in complying with this new regulatory requirement. Any questions about this policy should be directed to the veterinarian assigned to your facility. If you are unsure how to contact your veterinarian, visit the DLAR website or call 412-648-8950.
