[Pearls Before Swine]

As a Veterinarian, we use a two injection method, and it goes very smoothly.

I assume you're talking about medium-sized mammals--dogs. Out of curiosity, if you don't mind, what is that method?

[vetvetdoug]

There are several methods. One is to use a tranquilizer and Butorphanol, wait ten minutes and then administer the sodium pentobarbital. Second is to use a benzodiazepine in combination with ketamine and then follow it ten to fifteen minutes later with sodium pentobarbital or a bolus of KCl. If one is worried about the way it looks one could administer succinylcholine before the bolus of KCl. Third would be to use a phenothiazine in combination with ketamine followed in ten minutes by succinylcholine, KCL, sodium pentobarbital,or a bullet. Fourth would be to use the tranquilizer and ketamine followed in ten minutes by pure NO2. Any combination of the above would be effective. I really don't understand why there is so much controversy about the protocol. One could set an IV and use propofol bolus and kill the person and the person would be out completely. There are dozens of ways to accomplish a euthanasia or an execution that would be humane.