Cervical dislocation
Cervical dislocation is a common method of animal euthanasia, also referred to informally as "breaking the neck" or "snapping the spine," refers to a technique used in physical euthanasia of small animals by applying pressure to the neck and dislocating the spinal column from the skull or brain.[1] The aim is to quickly separate the spinal cord from the brain [2] so as to provide the animal with a fast and painless death.[1]
Euthanasia
According to the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), cervical Dislocation is normally only conducted on small animals.[1] The University of Iowa and some veterinary associations, consider the technique as an ethically accepted method for terminating the life of small rodents such as rats, mice, squirrels, etc.[3]
Methodology
The separation occurs at the base of the brain or within the cervical spine area (the upper third of the neck).[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Glossary." CCAC Programs. 2005. Canadian Council on Animal Care. Accessed 13 July 2007.
- ^ a b Extension http://www.extension.org/pages/Cervical_dislocation
- ^ University of Iowa. "Euthanasia." Accessed 15 August 2007
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