Euthanasia on Leopard Geckos (How to)

[Josh P.]

Hello everyone. I am looking for breeders to give their input on this one.

I know that this is a terrible question to ask but it is also a part of breeding. In the cases of severely deformed hatchlings that will not be able to survive on their own or have acceptable quality of life, what methods do you use to euthanize them (or older geckos that require such extreme measure)?

 

[katie_]

A vet.

 

[Phoenix1115]

I know someone who used to do the freezer method. I personally don't find that very human. I've gassed before, though.

 

[Josh P.]

I know someone who used to do the freezer method. I personally don't find that very human. I've gassed before, though.

I read that in that method it is better to use the fridge first to induce comatose and only then the freezer to kill without pain. I am not entirely sure if it truly is a human way to do it, and a viable alternative to CO[SUB]2[/SUB], as I have heard divergent opinions coming from professionals so...

 

[katie_]

The only true humane euthanasia is a barbituate injection by your vet.

 

[Ozy]

HAVE THE VET DO IT! It only costs like $10! Putting them in the fridge/freezer and all that is HORRIBLE! I can not believe ANYONE would do that to a living animal. And if you have so many geckos that you can't afford $10 for euthanasia than you have too many!

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

This is always a hard topic to disxuss because no one ever likes having to do it. That being said, keeping and especially breeding reptiles will eventually result in the need (for the animals best interests) to be put down. The BEST and most humane way is a Barb OD by a VET. Now I know no one will ever suggest another route as its not looked highly upon, but I would assume most people asking how to euthanize a gecko themselves have no interest in seeing a vet (or have already seen a vet) so the only other way I would suggest is to use a predatory animal that will do what needs to be done (mainly for deformities and other non zoonotic or parasitic issues at hand). Freezer method is beyond inhumane as reptiles will feel their blood begin to crystallize (excruciatingly painful). Also if you notice a specific female is producing multiple deformed babies then I would stop incubating the eggs and stop breeding that female.

BEFORE you consider euthanizing ANY animal see a vet. They may not always be very cost effective, but that's part of the commitment and responsibility of "owning" another living being. Once all means have been exerted to see a vet and you come up unsuccessful then try to communicate issues with your gecko DIRECTLY to individuals (I will attempt to help anyone with animal medical needs) as well as forums to see if someone else has experienced a similar issue or if your animal is even really in need of euthanasia.

 

[Josh P.]

To make it clear, I have no geckos in need of euthanasia (thankfully) and never said I wouldn't take them to the vet, obviously. I'm only asking what other breeders out there do as I know there are many in this forum, and honestly I don't believe all go down the vet route hence I mentioned being a terrible thing to ask. So without creating any drama or judging each other, please share how you do it. Either way there are conflicting opinions so none is entirely right or wrong.

 

[Ozy]

No one is creating drama. We all gave our opinions, which was.. Have it euthanized by a vet. I doubt many breeders on here are going to tell you different.

 

[katie_]

I really hope no one shares "stories" about how they kill their geckos. Whats the purpose behind that other than upsetting others who clearly dont want to hear it.
Euthanasia stands for "good death". If youre freezing or gassing, its not euthanasia.
Some people feed their geckos to other animals. Some step on them. Some use the co2 route which doesnt really have the same effect as it does on mammals.
I suggest you do a search function hear instead of asking for disturbing stories.

 

[Josh P.]

The good death of euthanasia, roots in the Greek language, is actually related with ending someone's life as proactive measure in response to ongoing pain or some other form of profound suffering, hence the good in it. The etymology of the word was not historically related with the methods, when in fact some older approaches to euthanasia have been rather inhuman -- and I am not talking about animal pets.

Anyways, I never asked for disturbing stories, or stories at all; just inquired on methods, plain and simple. People understood and replied just that.

 

[Duster]

Yeah there's really no need to jump down Josh's throat on this one. I struggled with this very topic last year. The reason being is simply because there weren't exotic animal vets around where I lived at the time. I begged 3 different vets in my area to euthanize my gecko and every single one of them refused, refused to do it. It was at this point that I searched for alternative home euthanization methods.

Upon researching the methods people have described even in this very thread, I decided to drive 2 hours one way to get him euthanized. I couldn't bring myself to do any of the methods without knowing if it would indeed hurt him.

Was it expensive? Yeah. Was it more humane? Yeah.