Euthanasia Information Signs that euthanasia should be considered: • Not eating or drinking • Not grooming • No energy • Won't play or interact with you • Won't take treats • Shows no interest in life • Obvious signs of suffering   It's very important that you insist on humane euthanasia for your rat. Not all vets are willing to take the extra time to euthanise a rat humanely.  The rat must be anesthetized with isofluorane or with an injected sedative (Ketamine etc.) before she/he is given the lethal injection.  Without the prior anesthetic, it is an extremely painful death.  If the vet says s/he will not allow you to be present while the rat is being anesthetized, find another vet. Also, the lethal injection should be given intracardiac (in the heart). Some vets will propose injecting the kidneys, but this will result in a prolonged death as the kidneys try to filter the toxin. Intracardiac is immediate.   More information on euthanasia: Euthanasia, by Mary Ann Isaksen Please note that isofluorane (and halothane) is NOT available to the general public. To link to this page: http://www.raisinrats.com/medical/euthanasia.html [back to top]