Euthanasia Poll

[Miss Wiggle]

thankfully never had to do it

had poorly fish before but treated them and either been able to sort them out or I've come home from work and they've been dead.

If I had a fish that was poorly for ages and wasn't getting better I would try n put them out of they're misery.... think I'd get some clove oil and get Ian round to do it for me

 

[Qays]

thanks for your oppinions!

Can someone explain how to do "Rapid cold immersion"

 

[dwarfgourami]

Only time I've had to do it recently I didn't have access to clove oil, so I stabbed the brain with a sharp knife and then decapitated. I have used a knife many times when fishing and know this is virtually instaneous. I did put a bit of brandy in the tub of water I'd put her in to knock her out before I grabbed her, which it did within seconds, but wouldn;t trust to alcohol for the actual deed.

 

[WILDER]

I tryed sh method and it was quick and painless, so i would do it again.

 

[donna123]

hi everyone,
well i did it, ive never had to do it before,it was not as bad as i thought it would be,i thought he would thrash about not so,one tub with very cold water (treated i dont know if it really matters) clove oil about 2 teaspoons,mixed it up,put him in,put lid on,it was a see through tub,it took 2-3 seconds.
i still feel bad though,but at least he is not suffering anymore.donna.

 

[Bloo]

Can someone explain how to do "Rapid cold immersion"

This is what I choose to do with my fish and my comments are only placed here as opinion. This is a heated topic. I choose based on my knowledge from my training:

Oil of cloves is a topical anethestic and was used in the past to treat toothaches. Lidocaine (like at the dentist's office is a topical anesthetic as well). When we operate on people we really want to achieve 2 things, analgesia and anesthesia, that is, relief of pain and unconsciousness. IMO, when a fish is immersed in oil of cloves, it is essentially 'topically anesthetized', paralyzed, but, I am NOT convinced that the fish is unconscious.....none of us will really know for sure. We don't know if the oil of cloves causes stinging to the mucus membranes, eyes, etc on initial contact nor if the fish is motionless, painless but aware.

Extreme cold is an anesthetic. When applied to skin, you can actually cut the skin and feel no pain. Cold also can cause rapid unconsciousness. In fact, hypothermia is reported to cause a state of euphoria and clouding of consciousness. Fish, at least most of the types that we keep (tropical), are extremely small and rapid immersion in extreme cold water, in my opinion, causes rapid pain relief and rapid unconsciousness. I have never seen any of my fish shows signs of what I consider suffering. They stop moving immediately and appear lifeless. Some have stated that since fish are ectothermic, this doesn't apply....perhaps in cold water fish I would agree.

I choose to euthanize my fish this way, rather than oil of cloves. One must either make an educated decision for themselves, or, choose what is currently accepted by the masses as what is humane.

Added: although I would never use blunt force to euthanize my fish, nor advocate it, one fact is for sure: death is instantaneous

SH

 

[Qays]

So, water with loads of ice in it? Sounds good

 

[pica_nuttalli]

i picked other because i only use clove oil. vodka is cruel.

my bottle of clove oil is actually part of a Toothache kit from a drugstore. was quite easy to find actually, once i knew where to look (by toothbrushes). i've used it for euthenasia and also for trimming puffer teeth.

in reference to the devil's advocate: mine says nothing about "membranes". as a matter of fact, the first time i used the clove oil, i got it all over my fingers (which immediately numbed) and accidentally tasted some. i immediately recognized the foul taste as one of the topical anesthetics the dentist used for follow ups on removing my wisdom teeth. i have to say, the oil's numbing ability far surpasses any "sting".

my puffer has been trimmed under the influence of clove oil on several occassions. its definitely apparent when the oil has taken effect; his fins move very slowly and his eyes do not track. after a certain point, his body rotates a bit to one side. its quite frightening to watch. if i've left him long enough, he doesn't struggle or even look at the blades when i clip his teeth--but his mouth moves independently. if i've pulled him out of the clove oil too quickly, he wriggles and stares around wildly. i can't say for sure that clove oil leads to a lapse of awareness, but if the fish is placed in a calm environment (still, opaque, darkened container) there shouldn't be much panic to be overcome (except for the more intelligent species; they know who they are)