Veterinary Euthanasia Techniques: A Practical Guide, 2nd Edition

by Kathleen A. Cooney
November 2025

Practical how-to guidance to compassionately and confidently care for various species of animals through euthanasia

Veterinary Euthanasia Techniques offers how-to guidance for performing euthanasia techniques in dogs, cats, exotic animals, horses, production animals, and, in this new edition, zoo and marine animals. This edition has been reorganized by species to make it easier to find information, with each species-specific chapter covering restraint, equipment, sedatives, and techniques. Sections discussing drugs and data have been updated throughout, with new discussions on how to handle pentobarbital shortages and animal welfare considerations.

Veterinary Euthanasia Techniques includes information on:

• Pre-euthanasia sedation and anesthesia, covering unconscious and sedation assessment
• Euthanasia techniques, including inhalant, injectable, and physical techniques, with guidance on how death is achieved, positioning and restraint, and how to choose an appropriate method
• Burial aftercare, covering the burial process, composing, cremation/incineration, alkaline hydrolysis, and rendering
• Client considerations concerning companion animals
• The history of the field, current research, and emerging trends

Offering complete information and specific advice to improve skills and aid in decision making, Veterinary Euthanasia Techniques is a must-have reference for anyone involved in animal welfare work and veterinary euthanasia, including general practice vets, specialists, students, and veterinary technicians.