[Lizzle]

Yes, you heard right.

Let me first note that the transdermal narcotic patches I have were legally prescribed for me but never used/needed.

I have used these to cull. All you do is scrape the stuff off of one of the patches and rub it anywhere on the mouse where skin is showing (easiest to do on the tail). Then the mouse quickly falls asleep before becoming comatose. There is absolutely no pain. You wait. You watch the breathing slow down until you see no breathing (but this does not mean that there is no oxygen exchange - the mouse is likely still alive at this point). I've used the 12 hour Fentanyl patch. It is a very potent narcotic, and is dangerous for even humans to touch who don't need pain control.

Someone very close to me almost died from "trying" one out on herself (obviously stolen).

Twice.

Let me also note that I am not condoning obtaining narcotics that were not legally prescribed for you. I am just saying that in my case, I have a limited number of these patches and I find them to be the most humane way of culling.. so if you happen to be in a similar situation and have extra narcotics of some sort.. well, what I'm really asking here is: what do you think of this method? I realize there might be quite a bit of criticism against the idea here - but that's more or less the intention - to start an intelligent debate on the pros and cons. Ready? Discuss!

 

[WoodWitch]

I honestly don't know enough about the subject of narcotics to add much to your discussion.

If it's quick and painless, great. If there's more to it than there looks (for example what's going on inside the mouse and would it be able to show any distress?) then not so great!

Does anyone have any further insight on this?

 

[Kallan]

I imagine it would be a fairly painless and dreamy way to go. As long as the mouse never wakes up again (you could always freeze them after they stop moving to be sure) it won't suffer any side effects or toxicities.

 

[Rhasputin]

That actually sounds like a good idea to me. :shock:
I didn't even know they made patches like that. It's probably even less uncomfortable than CO2 chambers. Because there are some very uncomfortable feelings that the mice experience, before they pass out in the CO2 chambers. . . So to me, this patch thing sounds like an amazing idea, especially for people who are worried about culling, or can't bring themselves to do it. It's a very easy, and I'm guessing 100% painless death.

 

[Matt Haslam]

what's the drug?

 

[Kallan]

Fentanyl, a short acting opioid (same class of drugs as morphine).

I'd prefer it to a CO2 chamber, as the concentrations of CO2 required to kill are painful to inhale. Commercial units use a low concentration to makes the animals unconscious, then once they're sleeping they crank up the concentration. You can't really do that at home!

 

[Rhasputin]

My CO2 chamber allows me to administer it gradually, and I do it as best I can to prevent pain.
But just putting a dab of pain medication on a mouse's tail, sounds like a much more comfortable death. Assuming that it works a similar way on mice. Actually, it was probably tested on mice at some point. :roll:

 

[Matt Haslam]

sounds good to me.

 

[SarahC]

would you be able to use the mice for feeding or not?

 

[WoodWitch]

Given that Kallan's professional opinion is favourable, I'd love to use this method!!
I can't though can I. Not like I can nip out and get some :roll:

 

[Rhasputin]

I would say, the only downside is that using them for feeders might not be an option after using this method. ):

 

[Lizzle]

SarahC - nope, I do not know anyone who owns a snake or other reptile, so I'm afraid this would be the best I could do.

Kallan - I never knew that CO2 was painful to inhale (in the amounts needed to euthanize).