Euthanasia and Palliative Care

Euthanasia

There are a couple of methods we (admins and moderators) have used and can recommend for euthanizing African Dwarf Frogs. These methods may not be appropriate for other species. Whether using our methods or others, the best thing to do is speak with a veterinarian who has experience with the animal you're considering euthanizing. We are not veterinarians–and while we can share our experience and may be able to say what we personally would do in your situation–we cannot make a legitimate diagnosis or prognosis for your pet.

If you choose to euthanize, it is imperative that you commit to the process. Hesitation and attempts to reverse the course of euthanasia will result in an inhumane death.

Throughout this document I will reference the American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition. Please note that these guidelines are intended for use by trained veterinarians as stated on their website:
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/avma-guidelines-euthanasia-animals

“The AVMA guidelines for the euthanasia of animals are intended for use by members of the veterinary profession who carry out or oversee the euthanasia of animals. The overriding commitment of these guidelines is to provide veterinarians guidance in relieving pain and suffering of animals that are to be euthanized.

The recommendations in the guidelines are intended to guide veterinarians, who must then use professional judgment in applying them to the various settings where animals are to be euthanized.

The AVMA Panel on Euthanasia develops the content of the guidelines, with support from its working groups. The panel is required to do a comprehensive review and update of the report at least every ten years, although more frequent major revisions are possible based on substantive information gleaned from new research and experience with practical implementation. To ensure the guidelines remain as up-to-date as possible, interim revisions (reflecting substantive updates, but of a less extensive nature than a major revision) are also accommodated, and minor editorial corrections are made as such items are identified (e.g., typographical errors, updating of website addresses)”

Clove Oil (eugenol)

Carry out this procedure away from your aquariums or other pets. Clean all of the supplies thoroughly after completing euthanasia.

Supplies:

100% Clove Oil can be found in most pharmacies.

A container for mixing the oil with a tight lid that will allow you to shake it to mix. Fill it with water from the aquarium leaving enough space at the top to adequately mix.

A container with 1-2” of aquarium water and the frog.

First use a small amount of clove oil to anesthetize the frog.

Anesthetizing dose for around 200 ml of water:

Add 3-5 drops of 100% clove oil to the mixing container and shake to break up the oil.

Pour the mixture into the container with the frog.

Wait 5 minutes before adding the euthanizing dose.

Next add a higher concentration of clove oil to end the frog’s life.

Euthanizing dose:

The following is from the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition

“M2.14 EUGENOL

Cloves contain a number of essential oils, including eugenol, isoeugenol, and methyleugenol.198 Eugenol comprises 85% to 95% of the essential oils in cloves, and has been used as a food flavoring and a local anesthetic for human dentistry. Eugenol is classified as a “generally regarded as safe” food additive by the FDA and as an exempted least-toxic pesticide active ingredient by the US EPA. Eugenol exhibits antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticonvulsant activity. Some other components of clove oil, such as isoeugenol, are equivocal carcinogens based on studies in rodents.199 Clove oil and its extracts have become popular as anesthetic agents for freshwater and marine fish because of their wide availability, low cost, and shorter induction times when compared with MS 222.

When compared with MS 222 as an anesthetic agent, eugenol was found to have a more rapid induction, prolonged recovery, and narrow margin of safety, as it can cause rapid onset of ventilatory failure at high concentrations (> 400 mg/L).202

The anesthetic mechanism of clove oil and its derivatives has been poorly studied, but they appear to act similarly to other local anesthetics by inhibition of voltage-sensitive sodium channels within the nervous system.175 Studies 203–205 of rodents indicate this class of agents may cause paralysis in addition to their anesthetic effects.

Advantages—(1) Clove oil and its derivatives are widely available, are relatively inexpensive, and are not controlled substances. (2) These agents have a short induction time. (3) Clove oil and its derivatives are effective at a wide range of water temperatures. (4) Eugenol has low risk for human toxicity at concentrations used for euthanasia of fish.

Disadvantages—(1) Clove oil and its derivatives are not FDA approved for use as an agent of euthanasia. (2) Animals euthanized with clove oil products are not approved for human consumption. (3) Some clove oil derivatives are potential carcinogens. (4) The impact of clove oil residues in euthanized fish on the environment or scavenger species has not been determined.

General recommendations—Clove oil, isoeugenol, and eugenol are acceptable agents of euthanasia for fish. It is recommended that, whenever possible, products with standardized, known concentrations of essential oils be used so that accurate dosing can occur. These agents are not acceptable means of euthanasia for animals intended for consumption.”

Orajel

This is from our old file. I have not personally used this method and have not yet analyzed and compared it to other sources.

“I’ve said this before.. I worked in a herp lab that kept and did research on various amphibians and reptiles. The method they used, and I observed, was through the use of benzocaine (Oragel). This basically anesthetizes the frog and subsequently puts it down. When I saw it done it was very effective. Just make sure the product you buy has a percentage benzocaine over about 7.5%; Orajel has about 20% so it will work fast. Apply it directly to the stomach where it will absorb quickly. It should take less than two minutes this way. The other method I’ve seen is using MS-222 but the average herp hobbyist won’t be able to obtain it. Even so, it is very expensive.

Palliative Care

If, for any reason, you are unsure about euthanasia then don’t do it. Palliative care is a legitimate, humane option. Palliative care for an African dwarf frog can be done within their aquarium or a separate container.

Shallow Water:

Ideally, we want to reduce the depth of water to no more than 1-2” to allow them to breathe without having to swim up for air. This can be accomplished with a breeder box inside of the aquarium or in a separate container. If using a separate container make sure it is food safe and has a secure lid that allows for gas exchange.

Hides:

Give them something to hang out in. Plant trimmings or fake plants are ideal. I always keep some plastic betta grass mats around to use as hides in a pinch. They can float or be weighed down with rocks.

Location:

Keep the container in a dark, warm location in the home away from drafts, foot traffic and air vents. When observing them in the container be careful not to move it around which can cause stress.

Water changes:

Perform water changes twice per day using water from the aquarium or room temperature tap water that has been treated with dechlorinator. If your tap water has ammonia or nitrite then tank water is probably the better option. *Perform water changes in the breeder box too. Water circulation in breeder boxes is not going to be good in a low flow environment like those we create for our frogs.

Cycled filter:

If you have a cycled sponge filter that you can move into the container with them this is ideal. One way to create the shallow depth needed while using a cycled sponge filter is to use substrate to raise the floor of the container. There are internal box filters that pull water in from the top and these can be buried in substrate up to and over the top of the box. *if using a cycled filter monitor ammonia and nitrite levels. It is possible that water changes will still be needed.

Feeding:

If your frog is willing to eat, feed a small amount every other day. Adjust according to their medical needs. Remove uneaten food right away. Live black worms are an excellent option for feeding in palliative care. One or two worms can safely stay in the tank in hopes of the frog eating when it feels up for it.