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Duster for euthanizing?

kimbyra

kimbyra

cornsnake addict
Here is a quote (below) from Becky in the "OMG, I can't do it..." thread. I was wondering about this method as I'm going to get a 1.2 or 3 rat colony soon. It sure seems simple enough. I'd like to know about any experiences y'all of had with this method.

"I euthanize mice by placing them in a zip-lock baggie and using canned air(Fellowes Air Duster to be exact). Some canned air actually contains ether, which we all know can put you to sleep or kill you(usually the latter). It has a sedative effect and slows down their breathing quite considerably, and since the canned air is carbon dioxide, it works very well. I put an entire litter of fuzzies down this way and it was very peaceful, no struggling, as I hate "whacking them" or having them suffer unnecessarily. It's just better for all of us."

Cheers!
 
Maybe I'm reading you wrong, but an air duster, which is used to clean computer keyboards and such in offices, actually blows air (ethane/co2) out, not sicks air in. Its not a hand vacuum thingy. I'll post a pic of one.
 
I believe the canned air you are referring to actually contains 134a or tetrafluoroethane (CH2FCF3), which is not CO2. I would be weary of having any prey items ingest this, and then feeding them to your snakes. CO2 is fine, because snakes come into contact with it anyways, but not that stuff.
 
Thanks for the quick response! Its a shame though, that method seemed so quick and easy. I've heard some not so good stories about co2 chambers not working how we would like them to, and thought this sounded like good method. Do y'all know of another method of a quick canned co2? It seems like there is one out there? How about nitrous (?), as in whipped cream refill chambers? Any other thoughts about getting around dry ice, or mix chemicals?
 
Your best bet, in order to avoid dry ice and mixing chemicals, is get either a co2 tank or co2 cartridges. Small (under 32oz co2 tanks can be purchased and filled at paintball stores or purchased (but usually not filled) at walmart's. These tanks run around $20 and about $3 to refill. Co2 cartridges look just like the nitrous cartridges but contain co2 and can purchased at these same places (they are used for soft shot or paintball guns). A pack should run you about $10-15 for a dozen or so and the co2 can be released with the same device that pierces the nitrous cartridges. I would recommend avoiding the nitrous and opting for the co2--for both safety and cost.
 
Thanks again! I'll look into getting the paintball co2. Does this kill them quickly? I admit, I'm squeamish about getting started with this, but with all my snakes I need to bite the bullet and just do it.
 
kimbyra said:
Maybe I'm reading you wrong, but an air duster, which is used to clean computer keyboards and such in offices, actually blows air (ethane/co2) out, not sicks air in. Its not a hand vacuum thingy. I'll post a pic of one.
Click to expand...

I know what it is, I veered off subject... sorry. :-offtopic
 
Lore said:
hmmm... if that works then I wonder if sticking them on one of my plastic vacuum sealer containers, like you put flour in and that (not the bags) and turn on the vacuum if it would just suck the air right out of em ... :rolleyes:

I'm NOT going to try it for fear of witnessing some grotesque inploding mouse episode, but it does make me wonder... it sure would be quick and easy if that would work... :sidestep:
Click to expand...
:roflmao:

Sorry, that one just gave me a visual that struck me funny...more the expression on Lore's faced than the horrifc spectacle.
 
kimbyra said:
Thanks again! I'll look into getting the paintball co2. Does this kill them quickly? I admit, I'm squeamish about getting started with this, but with all my snakes I need to bite the bullet and just do it.
Click to expand...

It can be used to kill them quickly, if your kill-container/chamber is flooded with co2. However, the most humane way is to slowly fill the kill-chamber with co2, in order to put them to sleep--and then flood the chamber (process tanks under 5 minutes).
 
Man you are a useful source of info. That is exactly what I'll do. I'm starting to feel better about this already. Cheers!
 
Try a search for the other threads on this subject here. Basically you need a 20 oz paintball CO2 tank and a "remote coil" device sold for paintball. Hook this up to an air-tight rubbermaid or tupperware type container and connect another length of rubber tubing to the container for an exhaust.
 
Flagg - I've done a search, and read various threads (thats where I got the quote from). What I"m looking for is something easy, that I don't have to do much to build. What you described sounds too complicated for someone who has never even seen a CO2 chamber before. Thats why I liked the ziploc/duster idea and was wondering about it. Since thats a no go, I'm looking for something else thats simple and efficient. Also, I don't own property or have a garage, so this is something I need to do indoors.
:)
 
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