J Vet Sci.  2013 Mar;14(1):103-106. 10.4142/jvs.2013.14.1.103.

Emergency euthanasia of cattle challenged with Escherichia coli O157:H7 - A case study for evaluating the response to an infectious disease outbreak

• Gilroyed B
• Reuter T
• Kastelic J
• McAllister TA

• KMID: 1482821
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2013.14.1.103

Abstract

In the event of an infectious disease outbreak in cattle, carcasses must be disposed of in a rapid and contained manner. This brief communication details injection of a barbiturate to euthanize cattle inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 followed by carcass composting in a manner that prevents the spread of infectious agents.

Keyword

control; disease; emergency; euthanasia; outbreak

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cattle
Cattle Diseases/*microbiology
Disease Outbreaks/*veterinary
Escherichia coli Infections/microbiology/*veterinary
*Escherichia coli O157
Euthanasia, Animal/*methods
Hypnotics and Sedatives/administration & dosage/pharmacology
Male
Pentobarbital/administration & dosage/*pharmacology
Soil
Hypnotics and Sedatives
Soil
Pentobarbital

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Flow diagram of the steps necessary for eradicating infectious animal diseases with epizootic or pandemic potential.

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  Fig. 2 Diagram of the site for the euthanasia and disposal of cattle previously inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 in a biosecure compost structure. Cattle were individually herded from their feedlot pen into a mobile squeeze apparatus where they were euthanized. The carcass was then transported from the euthanasia site to the compost structure along a gravel road.

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  Fig. 3 Breakdown of the time interval between sedative injection and removal of the carcass from the squeeze. The interval between lethal injection and confirmation of death had the greatest variability. *Cessation of cardiac and/or respiratory arrest.

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  Fig. 4 Cattle were individually placed into the squeeze (A) for administration of the sedative and lethal injections. Animals were removed (B) using a skid-steer loader and transported (C) to the compost disposal structure (D) using a pay loader.

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