Journal #7378
Posted 13 years ago2011-09-01 03:10:28 UTC
One of our Roborovski hamsters has been getting sicker over the past week. By the time I got home this evening, she was panting on her side, so weak that she was unable to stand up or even protest when I picked her up.
I decided it was time to stop the suffering and give her some peace.
So I researched the web, and found that the most humane way to euthanize a hamster is using carbon dioxide.
Where could I get carbon dioxide? From dry ice, of course.
So I Googleed dry ice sellers, and I found out a couple of blocks away. I called, and I asked for 200 grams of dry ice. The guy told me that the minimum amount they sell is 5 pounds. I agreed to pay $5 for 5 lbs of dry ice.
He heard all sorts of uses for dry ice in the past, but euthanizing a hamster was a first. He gladly sold me the dry ice.
I already had a plan. I relocated the sick hamster into the small plastic container with a meshed lid on top, and I put a block of dry ice right on top of the mesh.
As the dry ice started melting, the now gaseous carbon dioxide dripped into the container. I could see her gasping for air. It was hard to watch, but I have seen children die before, so I knew I could handle this.
In less than two minutes, the hamster's gasping stopped completely. I waited for a bit longer, just to be sure. It felt serene. The cloud-like vapor enveloped the now still hamster. It was like she was in heaven.
I decided it was time to stop the suffering and give her some peace.
So I researched the web, and found that the most humane way to euthanize a hamster is using carbon dioxide.
Where could I get carbon dioxide? From dry ice, of course.
So I Googleed dry ice sellers, and I found out a couple of blocks away. I called, and I asked for 200 grams of dry ice. The guy told me that the minimum amount they sell is 5 pounds. I agreed to pay $5 for 5 lbs of dry ice.
He heard all sorts of uses for dry ice in the past, but euthanizing a hamster was a first. He gladly sold me the dry ice.
I already had a plan. I relocated the sick hamster into the small plastic container with a meshed lid on top, and I put a block of dry ice right on top of the mesh.
As the dry ice started melting, the now gaseous carbon dioxide dripped into the container. I could see her gasping for air. It was hard to watch, but I have seen children die before, so I knew I could handle this.
In less than two minutes, the hamster's gasping stopped completely. I waited for a bit longer, just to be sure. It felt serene. The cloud-like vapor enveloped the now still hamster. It was like she was in heaven.
7 Comments
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So basically, you suffocate without realizing it. Read on.
Personally, if i had a pet that was sick, i'd just take it in to be put down. My Uncle took their family dog "out back" to put her down cuz she was sick, and he still feels horrible about it to this day. =(
I chose carbon dioxide because it's recommended by experts.
I've seen children die many times because I am a pediatrician. Seeing death is inevitable, since I worked in the hospital for the past 12 years.
Here are some more direct links describing it:
Nitrogen asphyxiation
Controlled Atmosphere killing