1. Biological Evaluation (Lecture – 8) Joseph O. Oweta B. Pharm (MUST)

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4. Objectives Disposal of Animal Remains Drug Administration (Audio – Visual Presentation)

5. Confirmation of Death Death must be confirmed before disposal of any animal remains. A combination of criteria is most reliable in confirming death, – lack of pulse, breathing, – corneal reflex and response to firm toe pinch, – inability to hear respiratory sounds and heartbeat by use of a stethoscope, – graying of the mucous membranes, and rigor mortis. None of these signs alone, except rigor mortis, confirms death.

6. Confirmation of death In small animals, particularly in animal shelter settings, verification of death may be supplemented by percutaneous cardiac puncture after the animal is unconscious. Failure of the needle and attached syringe to move after insertion into the heart (aspiration of blood provides evidence of correct location) indicates lack of cardiac muscle movement and death.

7. Disposal Of Animal Remains Regardless of the euthanasia method chosen, animal remains must be handled appropriately. Regulations apply not only to the disposition of the animal’s remains (eg, burial, incineration, etc). They also apply to the management of chemical residues. May adversely affect scavengers or result in the adulteration of rendered products used for animal feed.

8. Disposal Of Animal Remains Use of pentobarbital invokes legal responsibilities for properly dispose of animal remains after death. Animal remains containing pentobarbital are potentially poisonous for scavenging wildlife. Ex Birds, Carnivorous mammals and domestic dogs

9. National Environment Act 1995 An Act to provide for sustainable management of the environment; to establish an authority as a coordinating, monitoring and supervisory body for that purpose; and for other matters incidental to or connected with the foregoing.

10. National Environment Act 1995 Section 55 1.No person shall discharge any hazardous substance, chemical, oil or mixture containing oil in any waters or any other segment of the environment except in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the authority in consultation with the lead agency. 2.A person who discharges a hazardous substance, chemical, oil or a mixture containing oil into any waters or other segment of the environment contrary to subsection (1) commits an offence. 3.Upon conviction, the person discharging a hazardous substance, chemical, oil or a mixture containing oil into the environment may, in addition to any other sentence imposed by the court—Next Slide 4.pay the cost of the removal, including any costs which may be incurred by any Government agency or organ in the restoration of the environment damaged or destroyed as a result of the discharge; and 5.The costs of the third parties in the form of reparation, restoration, restitution or compensation as may, from time to time, be determined by the authority.

11. National Environment Act 1995 Offences relating to hazardous waste, materials, chemicals and radioactive substances. (99) The person commits and offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than thirty-six months or to a fine of not less than three hundred and sixty thousand shillings and not more than thirty-six million shillings or to both.

12. Recommendations 1.Incinerate or cremate animal remains whenever possible, 2.Immediately bury deeply according to local laws and regulations, 3.What if the ground is frozen? 4.Review and modify local landfill practices to prevent access of scavengers to legally disposed animal remains. 5.Educate clients about proper disposal, 6.Include a warning regarding disposal of animal remains on the euthanasia consent form. 7.Tag animal remains and outer bags or containers with prominent poison tags.

13. Rendering Is an important means of disposal of dead livestock and horses, Since many horses are euthanized with barbiturates, related residues can be hazardous. Rendered protein is used in animal feed for cattle, swine, poultry, finfish, aquatic invertebrates, and companion animals, Products rendered from ruminants are unacceptable for use in ruminant feed.

14. Rendering Advances in analytical techniques have led to QA of protein content (no drugs) Rendered animals after barbiturate use are being increasingly accepted for use in animal feed. Rendering as a means of disposal for animals euthanized using pentobarbital places renderers in a difficult position, and may result in renderers being reluctant to accept remains. Other alternatives must be considered.

15. Assignement Read and Make notes about… – Compositing as an alternative. – Alternatives to the use of pentobarbital

16. Persistence of Antimicrobials This is a parallel concern, particularly for animal remains that will be rendered. Many antimicrobials may be inactivated or destroyed through the rendering process. However, public health concerns include: – antimicrobial resistance, coupled with the enhanced sensitivity of chemical assays – and limited regulatory guidance for renderers, Serve to further complicate veterinarians’ responsibilities for safe remediation.

17. Conclusion Safe handling and disposal of animal remains are also critically important Condisering: – zoonotic diseases, – foreign animal diseases, or – diseases of concern to population health Appropriate diagnostic samples should be collected for testing, regulatory authorities must be contacted, and the animal remains must be incinerated (if possible). Personal protective equipment and precautions for handling biohazardous materials are recommended. Animals that have injured humans may require specific actions to be taken.

18. Reference AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition National Environment Act 1995