The BSAVA believes that euthanasia, the act of producing painless death, is best performed by the injection of an overdose of a barbiturate solution, under the direction of a veterinary surgeon. When dealing with a frightened or vicious animal, a pre-medicant may be used before injecting the barbiturate. Other methods are not recommended except in emergency situations where mercy killing is necessary.

Approval:  BSAVA Council as Policy Statement No. 11 (Euthanasia of dogs and cats) 1999.
Recent update: May 2006