Instructions for a euthanization chamber

Hi Again Everyone,
Can someone post some instructions and some pictures on how to build a CO2 chamber either for dry ice or baking soda/vinegar use or please E-Mail them to us at [email protected] . A baking soda and viegar one would probably be the best as we don't have a good supply of dry ice at our disposal. Thanks for any help.
Jay & PJ

http://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/index.html

The wonders of the magical search function.
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22881&highlight=chamber
:wavey: :wavey: :wavey:

Those are both nice chambers, especially the one with the 20oz bottle. However if you are doing it on the cheap, ,(Not that that one was very spendy Im sure),AND ony have a few animals to do at once Just get a Beer keg charger from a local microbrew supply store such as the Cornelius unit on this page:CO2 Charger I paid $14.99 for mine.

Then take a smallish tupperware, (Steralite, Gladwear, or whatever) container, put a 1/2 inch hole in the Lid. Put your mice in, put the lid on, put the nozzle of the charging thing in the hole and squeeze the trigger. CO2 is heaviwer than air, so almost all of it stays in with the mice.


Not nearly as pretty, and probably not quite as efficient as the nice one, but cheap to build and it works.

Note, DO NOT put your face next to the hole or inthe chaber, CO2 isnt good for you either!

Many people recommend CO2 to euthanize animala, however it is akin to drowning. If you hold your breath, the reflex that you feel is caused by a buildup of CO2 in your blood, eventually you would pass out, it is definitely not a pleasant way to go. Try holding your breathe for 30 seconds, maybe a minute, its unpleasant. A more humane way to kill the mouse by using an Argon gas, it can be purchased from any welding shop, it is completely inert, so it will do no more than replace the oxygen, in the chamber. A body can not detect it so the mouse will not become thirsty for air. Some people recommend Carbon monoxide, I'm not sure of the stuff though, it has a lingering effect on people and I don't know how a stomach will metabolize it. I can't comment on breaking their neck as I have no idea what brain processes continue after the break. You could buy frozen, but suppliers tend to use the CO2 method, which I perceive as inhumane, if you agree please let your supplier know of your concerns, maybe they'll look into it.

CO2 annoxia is NOT the same as drowning. As long as the CO2 is introduced at a very slow rate they just pass out, and suffocate to death while unconscious. It is the most humane method available to the general public.